Rating: Not for me

Reading Level: Early Elementary

Just as with Book 1 in the Treehouse series, I wasn’t really a fan. Here are some reasons:

  • Annie disrespects her older brothers authority when he is watching her. She consistently puts them in danger by ignoring his sensible urging to turn back. When he suggests they read first to learn before diving into a foreign place, she just runs in to explore. She is reckless and selfish.
  • The kids decide not to tell anyone (including their parents) about their adventures because they wouldn’t believe them. Admittedly, these days it is hard to find kids’ books that model good relationships with parents.
  • Stranger danger! The kids hitch a ride with a mysterious knight who never speaks, but who Annie “just knows” is trying to help them. The masked rider turns out to be benevolent, but there might be conversations to work through about hitching rides from strangers, even if we think they seem good.

It could be worse, I guess… There’s a bit of potentially scary action when the kids are chased by castle guards who catch them and intend to put them in prison and be hanged. It isn’t graphic or gory but may be a bit much for sensitive ones.

*Note/Update. I just saw the series is also reviewed by Big Books Little Ears. She was not a big fan either, though we came to our conclusions independently. See her review at https://bigbookslittleears.com/magic-tree-house/