(3) K-3 Magic Tree House series. Illustrated by Sal Murdocca. Magic Tree House series stars, Jack and Annie, have collected a ton of amazing, weird, and gross facts on their numerous trips, organized here into thirteen categories (e.g., "Birds," "Spectacular Space," "Famous Landmarks") for young readers to explore. The kids appear with their signature notebooks and guiding comments throughout. Short sentences and a jazzy layout with vivid photographs help focus and maintain interest. Ind.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) K-3 Magic Tree House Fact Trackers series. Illustrated by Carlo Molinari. This companion to Viking Ships at Sunrise introduces independent readers to more detailed information about Vikings. Exploration, warriors, religion, daily life, burial customs, and farming are discussed in the accessible and engaging text. Black-and-white illustrations and photographs enhance the presentation and help break up the text. A list of museums with Viking exhibits is included. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) K-3 Stepping Stone series. Illustrated by Sal Murdocca. Jack and Annie offer tips for surviving the wilderness, disasters, and menacing encounters. Some advice is practical (stay hydrated in extreme heat); some is tongue-in-cheek (if a T. rex visits, "Call the police!"). The variety of design elements (color photos, different colored backgrounds, numbered lists, paper-clipped note cards, illustrations) is lively and engaging. A working compass is embedded in the cover.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) K-3 Magic Tree House Fact Trackers series. Illustrated by Sal Murdocca. Chatty text describes the popularity, history, rules, and star players of the sport. World Cup information is outdated, but this is more than made up for by the compelling final chapter, "Soccer Changes Lives" (for example, in Sudan, rehab for former child soldiers includes learning the sport). Cartoony illustrations and black-and-white photos are included, as is research guidance. Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(3) K-3 Magic Tree House series. Illustrated by Sal Murdocca. This companion to Hurry Up, Houdini! gives step-by-step instructions for thirty-five basic magic tricks, including "The Disappearing Paper Clip," "The Missing Coin," and "The Balancing Egg." An introduction provides advice for aspiring magicians such as the importance of practice, the art of misdirection, and use of props. Tips and facts in the margins enrich the presentation; black-and-white illustrations clarify some directions. Reading list, websites.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) K-3 Magic Tree House Fact Trackers series. Illustrated by Sal Murdocca. This readable biography portrays Lincoln as a book lover, an inventor, and a skilled debater. Experienced chapter-book readers will enjoy learning that Lincoln's sons ran wild in the White House while crowds roamed freely in and around the presidential grounds--unimaginable today. Cartoony illustrations and black-and-white photos accompany the text. Lists of museums and DVDs are appended. Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Nancy Hull

(3) K-3 Magic Tree House Research Guide series. Illustrated by Sal Murdocca. Jack and Annie of the popular Magic Tree House series ostensibly narrate this educational but non-essential survey of the main reptile species, with occasional animal-rights-themed asides and interesting sidebar detours (e.g., "Why Are Birds Reptiles?"). Magic Tree House illustrator Murdocca's contributions link this book with the franchise, but the arresting black-and-white photos serve the text better. Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Magic Tree House Research Guide series. Illustrated by Sal Murdocca. With the Magic Tree House's Jack and Annie as tour guides, this slim volume describes life in Victorian England, in particular the lives of children. Historical photographs and drawings bring the era of the Industrial Revolution to life. The book effectively concludes by drawing similarities between difficult conditions faced by children then and now. Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Sarah Novogrodsky

(4) K-3 Stepping Stone series. Illustrated by Sal Murdocca. Magic Tree House stars Jack and Annie escort readers through their research into Irish folklore, particularly “wee folk” and their human experts. It's lucidly told, but as a stand-alone, the book reads like a list of fairies and their idiosyncrasies. It features black-and-white photos and illustrations, including a gem of Jack and Annie in fairy regalia. Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Michael Welply. Osborne and Boyce retell fifty-six of the best known stories from the Old and New Testaments in a serviceable, approachable narrative style. The tales are stripped to their essentials, with much of the moral complexity eliminated for a young audience. Most of the pieces include at least one illustration that reflects a literal interpretation of the story.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) K-3 Magic Tree House Research Guide series. Illustrated by Sal Murdocca. The authors present numerous accounts of unearthly visitations, including New Orleans lore (to go with A Good Night for Ghosts) and across-the-pond royal sightings. The final chapter is welcome: the authors touch on why ghost stories persist and offer some logical explanations for would-be hauntings. Black-and-white photos and illustrations appear throughout. Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) 4-6 Magic Tree House Research Guide series. Illustrated by Sal Murdocca. Siblings Jack and Annie present the fruits of their research about the great Renaissance painter, whom they met in Monday with a Mad Genius. Though the narration, interrupted by subheads, sidebars, and tangents, is a little unfocused, the text is replete with interesting details about its subject. Black-and-white reproductions and Murdocca's ever-reliable drawings round out the volume. Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Magic Tree House Research Guide series. Illustrated by Sal Murdocca. This book explores the world of real contemporary, historic, and prehistoric "sea monsters" (squids, eels, megalodons, etc.); a chapter also looks at legendary creatures (Nessie, kraken). The text, illustrated with black-and-white pictures and photographs, is chatty but factual. Readers are encouraged to do their own research; appended resources include a list of museums and videos/DVDs. Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(3) K-3 Magic Tree House Research Guide series. Illustrated by Sal Murdocca. The authors present solid explanations of natural disasters such as tsunamis, earthquakes, avalanches, and volcanic eruptions. Some personal stories and examples of specific disasters will help readers relate to the topic. The accessible text is accompanied by black-and-white cartoons, maps, photographs (some rather dark and murky), and diagrams. A section on further research allows interested readers to delve deeper. Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(3) K-3 Magic Tree House Research Guide series. Illustrated by Sal Murdocca. This book provides information on polar bears' lives and habitat and the effects of global warming on their future, in addition to facts about other Arctic animals and the people who live in the Arctic. The accessible text is complemented by black-and-white cartoons, maps, charts, and photographs (some too dark). A section on conducting research gives more information. Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(4) K-3 Magic Tree House Research Guide series. Illustrated by Sal Murdocca. Although the title is misleading (fewer than ten pages are about sabertooth cats), the book contains such interesting information about ice-age people and animals that casual readers will not be disappointed. Illustrated with numerous black-and-white drawings and photos, the text does not include source notes. However, the authors do offer many suggestions for places to look for further information. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Anne St. John

(3) K-3 Magic Tree House Research Guide series. Illustrated by Sal Murdocca. This engaging introduction to the subject uses an informative, lively design to address colonial life, the Declaration of Independence, the war, Washington's farewell to the troops, and more. Murky photos include a horn book, a chamber pot, and weapons. Sidebars discuss such topics as roles of women and the mail system. Reading list, timeline. Ind.

Reviewer: Connie ANn Kirk

(4) K-3 Magic Tree House Research Guide series. Illustrated by Sal Murdocca. Jack and Annie of the Magic Tree House stories introduce this overview. The kid-friendly text describes various types of dolphins and sharks; explains how they swim, feed, breathe, and communicate; and dispels myths about shark attacks. Illustrated with capable drawings and rather murky black-and-white photos, the book includes tips for doing research at museums, on the Internet, etc. Reading list. Ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta