(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

(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

(3) K-3 Magic Tree House Research Guide series. Illustrated by Sal Murdocca. Readers will learn how different weather patterns form in the earth's atmosphere, from mild winds and minor showers to hail, tornadoes, hurricanes, and blizzards. Liberally illustrated with black-and-white photos and pencil drawings, the book has the same approachability as the fiction series. The information is both entertaining and useful. Resources, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Anne St. John

(4) K-3 Magic Tree House Research Guide series. Illustrated by Sal Murdocca. Accompanied by black-and-white photos and illustrations, this simple narrative describes what life was like for the Titanic's passengers and the final hours of their doomed voyage. Jack and Annie, fictional characters from the chapter book, introduce this volume and "appear" in the margins to define terms and explain images. The authors shed no new light but get the job done. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) K-3 Magic Tree House Research Guide series. Illustrated by Sal Murdocca. Annie and Jack, protagonists of the fictional Mummies in the Morning, serve as tour guides in this overview of ancient Egypt. The succinct text describes the Egyptian culture and presents basic facts about mummies, pyramids, and King Tut. The black-and-white illustrations are adequate; the photographic reproductions of various relics are sometimes murky. The book also contains research tips. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) K-3 Magic Tree House Research Guide series. Illustrated by Sal Murdocca. The information in this slim volume is well organized and interesting, but the format doesn't do justice to the topic. The numerous black-and-white drawings and poor-quality photos fail to provide an adequate picture of the lush rainforest environment. Even so, due to an accessible writing style and the series' popularity, the book offers an adequate introduction to the rainforest. A list of resources is appended. Ind.

Reviewer: Anne St. John

(3) K-3 Magic Tree House Research Guide series. Illustrated by Sal Murdocca. The authors offer an informative and interesting overview of the history of piracy. Liberally illustrated with black-and-white drawings and a few photographs, the text describes the life of a pirate, discusses various kinds of pirates and their ships, and introduces a few famous outlaws. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Anne St. John