Monday with a Mad Genius

ary Pope Osborne's MONDAYS WITH A MAD GENIUS offers #38 in the 'Magic Tree House: A Merlin Mission' series. Here a mysterious message from Morgan le Fay, magical librarian of Camelot, involves two children the key to helping magician Merlin discovery joy in his life again. First they must journey to the magic tree house for 1500s Italy, and meet Leonardo da Vinci no prior familiarity with the series is required to make this a fun, inviting read.

My 8-year-old son is a huge fan of Magic Tree House, and this latest book was just as interesting and fun to read as all the other books. This time, Jack and Annie meet Leonardo Da Vinci in old Italy on their mission to find the secret to happiness. Again, Osborne spins historical information into a tale of magic and wonder, which is fun to read for children and are educational just the same. The plot is a bit more simple this time, and it is somewhat lacking the magic that "Christmas in Camelot" and "Summer of the Sea Serpent," but is is well-developed and leaves the reader content - at least my son and I were.

This latest installment in the hugely successful Magic Treehouse series finds Jack and Annie traveling back in time to the Enlightenment period to spend a day helping Leonardo da Vinci. This third installment in the latest four book challenge has Jack and Annie seeking the true meanings of happiness. Once again, Mary Pope Osborne uses her brilliant technique to bring history alive and to explore philosophical ideas. In this story she describes every day life in the 16th century, discusses Leonardo's ideas and challenges in a way that makes him appear very human, and gives a wonderful story for the painting of the Mona Lisa. This is all written at a level my five-year old understands and my ten-year old still enjoys.

Great book - my kids love it (ages 7 & 8). This series of books is great!

This new book with the magic tree house is a fun delight! In this book, Jack and Annie, brother and sister go back in time in the magic tree house during the time of the Renaissance. If your childs loves reading these fun adventurous stories with Jack and Annie in the magic tree house, then they will love this new book as well. It was a pleasure to read! Cynthia Marie Rizzo, children's author of "Julie and the Unicorn","Julie and the Unicorn 2", and "Angela and the Princess"