Earthquake in the Early Morning

Magic Tree House #24

by Mary Pope Osborne, Sal Murdocca

Jack and Annie are all shaken up! The magic tree house whisks them back to California in 1906. As soon as they arrive, the famous San Francisco earhtquake hits the city.



Chinese and English bilingual edition of Magic Tree House 24: Earthquake in the Early Morning.

Genres: Fantasy, Childrens, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Chapter Books, Adventure, Middle Grade

96 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Mary Pope Osborne is an American author of children's books and audiobook narrator. She is best known as the author of the Magic Tree House series, which as of 2017 sold more than 134 million copies worldwide. Both the series and Osborne have won awards, including for Osborne's charitable efforts at promoting children's literacy. One of four children, Osborne moved around in her childhood before attending the University of North Carolina. Following college, Osborne traveled before moving to New York City. She somewhat spontaneously began to write, and her first book was published in 1982. She went on to write a variety of other children's and young adult books before starting the Magic Tree House series in 1992. Osborne's sister Natalie Pope Boyce has written several compendium books to the Magic Tree House series, sometimes with Osborne's husband Will Osborne.

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! Another really great book in the series. The kids loved this one, and so did I, only it was sooo touching that I was trying to cover up the fact that I was tearing up at certain spots. Of course my daughter caught me and outed me!!! Thanks, Mimi! Easily another five star offering from Mary Pope Osborne :)

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great adventure!

[Mohi Hajihoseini · Rating 4 out of 5]

داستان درباره‌ی زلزله‌ی روز ۱۸ آپریل۱۹۰۶ سان‌فرانسیسکوست. سان‌فرانسیسکو بزرگترین شهر ساحل غربی آمریکا با جمعیتی حدود نیم میلیون نفر بود.
طبق گفته‌های کتاب ساعت ۵ صبح مردم با یکی از بزرگترین زلزله‌هایی که آمریکا به خودش دیده بود، بیدار شدند(یا شاید هم نشدند!) بعد از زلزله دودکش‌های شکسته، اجاق‌ها و لامپ‌ها و.‌‌.. باعث آتش‌سوزی بزرگی شدند که سه روز تمام تقریبا کل سان‌فرانسیسکو یعنی چیزی حدود ۲۸۰۰۰ ساختمان رو سوزاند. این اتفاق از بدترین حوادث طبیعی تاریخ آمریکا بوده است.

[Isabel Orama · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book I read today was number 24 of the magic tree house. This book had action and other cool things in it. It was about a brother and sister named Jack and Annie. Morgan Le Fay always gives them missions to complete so they can become master librarians. They went to California. The year was 1906. When they found the book that had the word california on the cover Annie wished to go to to California. When they arrived they were dressed In different clothes. Annie had a blue and white dress and Jack had brown pants and a colored shirt. California was beautiful said Annie , but then a rumble shook the ground.


After the rumble shook the ground Jack started searching up what that rumble was until he found a picture and artifacts on a page. The big shake was a Earth quake!!!!!!! Jack wanted to leave but Annie said no. We need to find the words on the note that Morgan gave us said Annie. Then the shake came again but stronger and buildings started toppling over. There was dust all over the town. Jack tried to find Annie but she was in a big hole in the ground. Jack started passing his sister bricks so she can climb up. When Jack got her out she had booboos and cuts mostly on her leg. Jack and Annie's clothes were torn & ripped. Then Jack heard crying nearby. It was a woman and two boys. Their house broke down when the shaking started. Their feet were cut with scars and the woman was crying. The brother and sister lend their boots to the family. They stopped crying and they lend them there sign that says a poem. But Annie just forgot that they already finished their mission because they needed to lend objects to certain people that needed food. Then they went home.

[Sarah Little · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Magic Treehouse is a great series for historical fiction books. This particular book is about the San Francisco earthquake that took place in 1906. Jack and Annie time travel back through their treehouse and find themselves in the middle of the earthquake. The book does a great job of depicting what the people in San Francisco were going through during this time. The author vividly describes the desolate city after the earthquake struck. The author also does a great job of describing how a few of the people of San Francisco felt after their town was destroyed and in flames.

One of my favorite parts is in the back of the book where the author throws in a bulleted list of real facts about earthquakes. It goes over tectonic plates and how earthquakes form. It also talks about which of the characters were real, along with describing some of the real events that were discussed in the book.

This would be a 2nd - 4th grade book. Students could use the novels in this series to link to social studies lessons. In some cases, like this one, they could even be linked to science. In earlier grades, it may be fun to have students read these books as a start of a research project and then present to their classmates on these events using other research as well. These books would also be great to have in classroom libraries for students to read when curious about historical events, or are interested in other parts of the world.

[Olivia Lullie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary:
This story is about the characters Jack and Annie who travel to San Francisco, California back in 1906. They are on a mission to find a special piece of writing in order to save the kingdom, Camelot. While there, the characters experience the two earthquakes that struck in San Francisco in 1906. The characters are put in a position where they are challenged between helping those around them and working on their own personal task.

Evaluation:
This story merged a historical event with the fictional idea of traveling back in time through magic. The story was full of great descriptions and details along with a few illustrations to help children create visuals in their minds. The author added factual information about the earthquakes in 1906, along with adding a background story about Jack and Annie needing to save Camelot.

Teaching:
This is a great book to use for a book study. A teacher can use this book when teaching about plot, characters, and setting or when working on reading comprehension because of the many different events throughout the chapters.

[Alice4170 🌙 · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 ⭐️
We finally get to meet King Aurther!!

[Mahdi]

یادمه این جلدش خیلی ذهنم رو مشغول کرده بود. و شاید اولین داستانم رو با الهام (شما بخونید کپی) از این کتاب نوشتم 😂

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone who reads more than one of these will discover a certain similarity between the books. They all start off with a letter and preface meant to provide any background needed. The children sneak away from their home to go to the magic tree-house. There they consider a problem, given to them by Morgan le Fay, (seemingly a good fairy turned librarian, and not the ambiguous or downright dangerous figure of much Arthurian legend). The helpful kids go back in time to fulfill part of their mission.

This time they go back to the earthquake of 1906 which happened in San Francisco. Not only does Mary Pope Osborne combine solid historical research with imagination (as usual), but she also works herself and a couple of her nephews into the story. I thought this was a nice touch.

[Kat V · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good but I think the I Survived Series covered the San Francisco earthquake better. Obviously these are different reading levels so just pick the one most suitable for the reader’s ability. 4.2 stars

[carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

peak literature. read this in 10 mins. could not put down

[Book2Dragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another enjoyable read with information about the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake. You wouldn't know San Francisco went through such a terrible day when you see this beautiful city today. Would like to know more about the building of the Golden Gate Bridge too. (hint, Mary)

As with all the Magic Tree House books, highly recommended. Each book begins with a prologue of how the twins and the Magic Tree House came to be and ends with more historical information. Also there are games and online activities to use if you (or your student) wishes. Enjoy.

[Rhonda Puente-Trevino · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Magic Tree House series is a historical fiction about the California earthquake that happened in 1906 with action keeping young readers excited in this modern fantasy when characters Jack and Annie time travel into other worlds(secondary worlds) will they return back home or stay stuck in another world?

Modern fantasy violates natural laws and has know authors. Fantasy stories are important to give us alternatives to our natural world. Provides an excellent opportunities to "escape" our world. Earthquake in the Early Morning Ex. "The second method takes characters from our primary world into a secondary world into a secondary world through some sort of portal (Young, pg. 152)." For instance, the Magic Tree House series as the children go from present day to different time periods in history and locations. Recommended age is 6-8 years old.

This series was recommended from another parent friend who shared her child's excitement and interest of this modern fantasy books. A book that brings historical fiction into my son's literature and portals that give us alternatives to our natural world. We since have purchased many other books from this series that is based on or grounded in facts.

[Gavin · Rating 4 out of 5]

These Magic Tree House books are good for the younger reader. The premise is simple, two children (Jack and Annie) find a treehouse which can travel back in time as long as a book on the period is available. They then live part of the book they are using. Each one has easily digested facts about the time and place the two children travel to.

The earthquake referenced in the title is the Great Quake of 1906 that hit San Francisco. Jack and Annie land in SF just before the quake starts, help a few people, have their photograph taken and find the last of the special writings they need for Morgan le Fay. They also get to meet King Arthur in her library. This being the last in a sequence of four adventures in which one piece of special writing is required.

The Magic Tree House books go in linked quartets and more will be sought, Sean liking them a good deal.

[Calvin Kwon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jack and Annie go to San Francisco and they think they're supposed to find something to lend because Camelot is in trouble. But then theres an earthquake and they don't know it, but they find out and Jack just wants to go home but Annie says no because they have to find something to lend. They lend shoes to two of these boys that lost their shoes in the earthquake and the boys give them something too.
The earthquake was really big. There was a person who tried to move a piano across the earthquake and Annie fell into the earthquake so Jack started dropping bricks so Annie could stack them and get out of the earthquake

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great story in the Magic Tree House series. Although it was a sad and terrible disaster, it was interesting to find out more about it, since none of us had ever really learned about what happened. It was a good ending the the four part mini-series where Annie and Jack had to get four special kinds of writing to save Camelot. The ending was less predictable than I thought it'd be and the four items were tied up together in a nice and inspiring theme.

We've really enjoyed this series and we look forward to the next book!

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not like this book because I do not like earthquakes. I enjoyed this book because I liked the part when on their mission Jack traded his boots for a chalkboard that said, "There is no water and still less soap, we have no city, but lots of hope."

[Kevin Patton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carli’s review (age 6): I noticed that Peter and Andrew look the same but one is taller than the other. One thing I pictured was the fires caused by the earthquake. I wonder why King Arthur had to save Camelot? My favorite part was seeing Morgan’s library.

[Roua · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very nice, I loved the sad stories, because I feel that I am with them in the story this really fun.

[Unicorn Wishes · Rating 4 out of 5]

REALY LIKED IT!!!!! :) ;)

[Claire Wrobel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love her writing. She always makes Jack and Annie so real with their frustrations and fears. I appreciated how in this book they tried to save some things, like the books in the San Fran library, but still couldn't.

[Kathryn Best · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one not as fun to read as most of the others. There was a constant feeling of worry. However, it was still interesting to read with my 4yo and I plan to pull up more info on earthquakes for him.

[Mason · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is good but it is to my favorite magic tree house I ever read you will like magic tree house please read it is so much fun.

[Sharon🔮👽 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many important lessons to learn in these stories.

[Natalie Billman]

We took a little break from these books, but my son wanted to dive back into them tonight!

[Kim Scanlon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The action packed adventures of siblings Jack and Annie and their magic tree house continue in this 24th book of the series. The author once again manages to seamlessly blend historical facts with fantasy. This time, Jack and Annie travel back to San Francisco in 1906, just as one of the biggest earthquakes on record hit the city. Their adventure unfolds as they are caught in the earthquake and its fiery aftermath, conflicted between helping the citizens of the city and continuing their mission to find the last of the writings needed by Morgan Le Fay to save the kingdom of Camelot.

This series is a delightfully entertaining and seemingly endless set of mystery and adventure stories. I plan to use this series in my future classroom as a rocking chair read aloud. I think it’s important to start with the first book in the series (Dinosaurs Before Dawn), which introduces the characters and the general plot. Once readers understand the characters and the premise that Jack and Annie travel through time in a magic tree house on various adventures, it is possible to jump around to different books in the series based on interest rather than reading the series sequentially. It is a good choice chapter book for early elementary readers, and reading aloud to them could inspire interest in the series.

There are topics for all interests with over 40 books in the series! This particular book could align with a science lesson on natural disasters, or an ELA lesson discussing fact versus fiction, or a reflective lesson focused on helping others in times of need. It is appropriate for independent reading in 1-3 grade, and should be paired with fiction choices to further develop background knowledge of the historical events depicted.

[Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this great conclusion to the four-book arc of the original series I look highly upon, Jack and Annie head to the great San Francisco earthquake of 1906 to retrieve the final writing to save Camelot. Osborne wastes no time in making the actual earthquake happen as Jack and Annie spend the majority of the story trying to bring hope to the city. Jack tries to save books that were lost due to mistakes made, only to fail, which tears him apart. But then they meet a woman and two boys who lost their home in the disaster, yet give Jack and Annie a board with a hopeful message. A photographer takes a picture of them holding the board, and they eventually learn that his photo did bring hope to the city. Later, Morgan takes Jack and Annie to Camelot for the first time, in which they give all the writings to King Arthur to inspire that same hope in him. This presents a valuable message for those who may be facing a lot in their lives. That even during your darkest times, you can still have hope, and if even a king can get back that hope, so can you. Osborne also chooses to ease us into King Arthur's introduction by not revealing his identity right away, a similar approach she used with Shakespeare in the next book. Because surely, he was no longer King Arthur as Camelot knew him until Jack and Annie came along.

For more children’s book reviews and other content, check out the blog of a children's book writer and illustrator at the Naimoli Children’s Books Blog!

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book eight year old Jack and seven year old Annie found a magic treehouse. Along the way they figured out it belonged to Morgan Le Fay. At magic treehouse 5-8 they Jack and Annie help free Morgan from a spell. In magic treehouse 9-12 they solved four ancient riddles and became Master Librarians. In magic treehouse book 13-16 they helped save books from being lost forever. In magic treehouse book 17-20 they freed a little dog from a spell. Now they have to find four special writing to help save Morgan’s special library in Camelot. In this adventure they are going to find the last special writing something to lend. When they got to the treehouse they found out that they were going to California. They both really wanted to go there, so they granted a wish they were there! They climbed out of the treehouse. It was a beautiful sight Jack wanted to do some research, but Annie said let’s not waste time Jack! Research is not wasting time Jack said back, however he followed Annie onto the street. Not so long after there was a sound a big sound then again but but louder! The buildings began crashing down roofs collapsed. Will Jack and Annie quickly find the special writing and save Camelot, or will they end up in dangerous trouble? Find out in magic treehouse number twenty four!!!

[Rick Silva · Rating 3 out of 5]

The good news for Jack and Annie is that San Francisco in 1906 was the loveliest city in America. The bad news: Jack and Annie arrive there about 2 minutes before the Great San Francisco Earthquake, which leaves the city in ruins and Jack and Annie in the middle of all the mayhem.

Their quest was to find the last of four special pieces of writing, in this case "something to lend". I liked how the author cleverly teased two commonly-lended items, money and library books, before the real object of the quest became apparent. Her use of actual quirky incidents from the history of the Great Earthquake were also fun.

The plot did feel a bit disjointed, however, as it rushed through several unrelated scenes, while teasing a little bit of time travel paradox, and ending with an epilogue sequence that had something of a different flavor than the rest of the book.

I read this with the Kiddo, who is still enjoying Magic Tree House series even as he has mostly moved on to longer books.

[Harriet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love you, book. I want to read another Magic Tree House book. Also, I liked the facts, since it had a lot of facts, but I wonder why it was so short. I want my mommy to read it again to me. I was kind of scared for them when they got caught in the earthquake, and I was kind of scared when they had to walk in the smoke to their treehouse. I wonder when they got home if it felt like it didn't happen at all, but they could still remember it. I wish I could give it 500 stars, and I really, really, really, really, really, really do not want that to happen to me. I didn't expect they were going to poof into that library, and I didn't think the king would be that happy, but it kind of worked. I thought the library wasn't that big, but I didn't really know about it. I wish they didn't have to be in that earthquake. It was also cool that when they got back it felt like nothing happened.