What do you think?
Rate this book
Magic Tree House #19
Tigers at Twilight
Digest Size Paperback with 72 pages. Magic Tree House series #19.
76 pages, Paperback
First published August 17, 1999
730 people are currently reading
3476 people want to read
About the author
Mary Pope Osborne
582 books2,700 followersMary 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 339 reviews
September 9, 2010
This has been my favorite Magic Tree House book so far. I love that every book teaches in a fun way. This book answered all of Hannah's questions in regards to vocabulary... in a way that she understands. For example:
"If the killing does not end, they both face extinction."
Hannah asked "What's extinction?"
The very next sentence said "Extinction means that someday there may be no Indian tigers or rhinos left on earth."
"Are you a hermit?" Jack asked.
"Yes," the blind man said.
What's a hermit?" said Annie (same thing Hannah asked)
"Hermits live far away from other people," said the blind man. "We like to be alone to think. I live in the forest so I can learn from nature."
This is typical of all Magic Tree House books. I love that Hannah can expand her vocabulary, while we read a fun book.
The other part of the book that impressed me was the blind man.
"How do you learn?" asked Jack.
"I listen," said the blind man.
After we read the book, Hannah asked how the blind man knew where the tree house was, when he couldn't see it. I told her that he listened and heard the tree house land in the tree or maybe he heard the wind when the tree house arrived. Hannah closed her eyes and I asked her to listen and tell me what she "saw". She heard Kaya (our dog) come into the room, she heard the TV and what show was on, she heard her dad moving. She was surprised by what she could "see" by just listening.
"If the killing does not end, they both face extinction."
Hannah asked "What's extinction?"
The very next sentence said "Extinction means that someday there may be no Indian tigers or rhinos left on earth."
"Are you a hermit?" Jack asked.
"Yes," the blind man said.
What's a hermit?" said Annie (same thing Hannah asked)
"Hermits live far away from other people," said the blind man. "We like to be alone to think. I live in the forest so I can learn from nature."
This is typical of all Magic Tree House books. I love that Hannah can expand her vocabulary, while we read a fun book.
The other part of the book that impressed me was the blind man.
"How do you learn?" asked Jack.
"I listen," said the blind man.
After we read the book, Hannah asked how the blind man knew where the tree house was, when he couldn't see it. I told her that he listened and heard the tree house land in the tree or maybe he heard the wind when the tree house arrived. Hannah closed her eyes and I asked her to listen and tell me what she "saw". She heard Kaya (our dog) come into the room, she heard the TV and what show was on, she heard her dad moving. She was surprised by what she could "see" by just listening.
February 8, 2026
Listened to this audiobook with my first grader in the car.
This story followed siblings Jack and Annie. Another mission to free the dog from a spell. This time they traveled to the Forest of India. They saw two monkeys when they first arrived and Annie gave them names right away. The monkeys showed them how to escape from the python who was making its way up the tree house. Then Annie figured out how tigers afraid of elephants so they ride on the elephant's back. They learned about poachers and how animals can go extinct. Then they met a hermit and learned about hermit snd eventually received a gift from him.
This story has many good facts about animals. Good action and adventure.
We listened to this audiobook via Cloud Library app.
This story followed siblings Jack and Annie. Another mission to free the dog from a spell. This time they traveled to the Forest of India. They saw two monkeys when they first arrived and Annie gave them names right away. The monkeys showed them how to escape from the python who was making its way up the tree house. Then Annie figured out how tigers afraid of elephants so they ride on the elephant's back. They learned about poachers and how animals can go extinct. Then they met a hermit and learned about hermit snd eventually received a gift from him.
This story has many good facts about animals. Good action and adventure.
We listened to this audiobook via Cloud Library app.
December 28, 2021
“Its beauty cannot live without its ugliness. Do you understand? When you saved the tiger, you saved all of him. You saved the graceful beauty and his fierce, savage nature. You cannot have one without the other.” 🖤
I don’t think I ever actually read this one as a kid but I really loved it! Definitely a new favorite in the series.
I don’t think I ever actually read this one as a kid but I really loved it! Definitely a new favorite in the series.
March 30, 2016
Personal Response
I read the book Tigers at Twilight and I thought it was a really good book! I liked how she wrote a series of books and they all connect to one another.
Plot
In the beginning of this book Jack and Annie got sent to a forest in India. When they got there they met two monkeys who helped guide their adventure throughout the forest. They went through many obstacles- two of them are being how they came across a huge snake, and the next how they almost got eaten by a tiger. Tigers in the book were getting poached and Jack and Annie helped rescue one from a trap. Another main piece of this book was meeting the blind man who gave them a flower.
Characterization
The main characters are Jack and Annie. Jack was the smart one who always carried around a backpack with a book in it to help them throughout their adventures. Annie was the more outgoing one who liked to have fun wherever they go.
Setting
The setting of this book was in a forest in India. The time of this book was during the day of the course of one day since they never spent the night. The setting of this book was important because it showed travel from their hometown all the way to India. Also the time of this book was important because it showed all the events during the day.
Thematic Connection
The thematic connection of this book was to go for the adventure and have fun. I got this from the story by how no matter what Annie was just having fun; even when she played in the water when a hippo is in it.
Recommendations
I would recommend this book to any age person from elementary through high school. I would also recommend this book to any race or gender. Lastly this book would be good for a teacher to read to her students. I would refer this book to all these types of people because it was a story written in children’s literature, and basically everyone can read if from the ages listed up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 14, 2020
I remember reading this series and it just feels like a really good kids' show: every episode has its own plot but there's also a wider plot running through the whole show. We love to see it
February 20, 2021
These books are my childhood😍 I don’t remember reading this as a child but it still took me back to easier days😍😭
July 19, 2024
Kids loved it
April 17, 2025
Neither good nor bad. 3 stars
Read
January 10, 2026tag urself: i’m the rhino that needs glasses
Read
April 22, 2019Personal Response: I enjoyed reading Tigers at Twilight . It was a quick and easy read. I liked how I could picture everything that I read. I also liked how the author included pictures that went along with the story.
Plot Summary: In Tigers at Twilight , Jack and Annie went on an adventure to India. They had to find a gift from the first far away. During the adventure, Jack and Annie were faced with difficult times. They had to get away from a tiger and also a python that was in a tree with them. They were able to get away from the tiger by an elephant. The rode on the elephant away from the tiger. Throughout the book, Jack and Annie heard all of the noises of the forest. At the end of the book, they met a blind man who gave them the gift from the far away forest and they were able to return home.
Characterization: Jack was an eight year old boy who went on adventures with his seven year old sister: Annie. Jack and Annie discovered a magic tree house in the woods by their house. When Jack and Annie wanted to go somewhere, all they had to do was point at a picture and say they wanted to go there. In this book, Jack and Annie traveled back to India. They both faced the same situations and had different ideas to get through them. Annie was more outgoing and willing to do different tasks to get away from the problems they were faced with. Jack did not know what to do to get away most of the time. Annie was also able to understand more things than Jack was, which helped them get away from the tiger and the snake.
Setting: Tigers at Twilight took place in Frog Creek, Pennsylvania amd also in India, where they went on their adventure. The time period would be in the present because it starts in their time. It also took place in the past because they go back to find the gifts in order to break a curse on a small dog.
Thematic Connection: The theme for Tigers at Twilight would be chaos and order because during the book Jack and Annie faced trouble in the forest, but they found a way to get through it.
Recommendation: I recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick read. I also recommend it to anyone in elementary school or middle school. I think younger children would love reading this book because of the scenes that take place. I also think more guys would like this book because of the tiger and snake that are involved throughout the book.
Plot Summary: In Tigers at Twilight , Jack and Annie went on an adventure to India. They had to find a gift from the first far away. During the adventure, Jack and Annie were faced with difficult times. They had to get away from a tiger and also a python that was in a tree with them. They were able to get away from the tiger by an elephant. The rode on the elephant away from the tiger. Throughout the book, Jack and Annie heard all of the noises of the forest. At the end of the book, they met a blind man who gave them the gift from the far away forest and they were able to return home.
Characterization: Jack was an eight year old boy who went on adventures with his seven year old sister: Annie. Jack and Annie discovered a magic tree house in the woods by their house. When Jack and Annie wanted to go somewhere, all they had to do was point at a picture and say they wanted to go there. In this book, Jack and Annie traveled back to India. They both faced the same situations and had different ideas to get through them. Annie was more outgoing and willing to do different tasks to get away from the problems they were faced with. Jack did not know what to do to get away most of the time. Annie was also able to understand more things than Jack was, which helped them get away from the tiger and the snake.
Setting: Tigers at Twilight took place in Frog Creek, Pennsylvania amd also in India, where they went on their adventure. The time period would be in the present because it starts in their time. It also took place in the past because they go back to find the gifts in order to break a curse on a small dog.
Thematic Connection: The theme for Tigers at Twilight would be chaos and order because during the book Jack and Annie faced trouble in the forest, but they found a way to get through it.
Recommendation: I recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick read. I also recommend it to anyone in elementary school or middle school. I think younger children would love reading this book because of the scenes that take place. I also think more guys would like this book because of the tiger and snake that are involved throughout the book.
February 2, 2020
Although I've kept the Magic Tree House series on my classroom bookshelf for years, this is my first attempt at actually reading one myself. I can see why these books are so appealing for children and I bet that my own children will love hearing about the adventures of Jack and Annie in the very near future. One reason these books appeal to young children is that they are "chapter" books. Young readers love to see themselves as readers of chapter books! Yet, even though these are chapter books, they are also short enough to keep a reader's interest. Next, Jack and Annie go on some sort of adventure, and there is a lot of action and some tense moments. Another appealing feature of these books is that they combine a fictional story with actual facts about the topic. In this book, Jack and Annie travel to an Indian Jungle. The reader learns facts about tigers, rhinos, monkeys and pythons!
These books would be great to use in book clubs. Since the series is formula fiction, these books would be great for using when practicing identifying story elements (the characters will always be the same, but the setting, problem, and solution change each time). In addition, I noticed that there was a lot of repetition in these books which is perfect for young readers. For example, in one chapter of this book, the words, "slowly, silently" were repeated about four times. For teachers who are curious about additional ways to use these books in the classroom, there is a magic treehouse website which lists many ideas for using the books, including, STEM activities, and an idea for a book report "bag".
These books would be great to use in book clubs. Since the series is formula fiction, these books would be great for using when practicing identifying story elements (the characters will always be the same, but the setting, problem, and solution change each time). In addition, I noticed that there was a lot of repetition in these books which is perfect for young readers. For example, in one chapter of this book, the words, "slowly, silently" were repeated about four times. For teachers who are curious about additional ways to use these books in the classroom, there is a magic treehouse website which lists many ideas for using the books, including, STEM activities, and an idea for a book report "bag".
September 19, 2018
This installment of the Magic Treehouse series brings Jack and Annie to the rainforest of India where they meet friendly elephants and monkeys and a tiger who is not quite so friendly.
The story also takes a philosophical turn as the kids learn a bit of wisdom from a Hindu hermit that they meet.
The thematic elements of the story came together nicely in the end, and there was a sense of wonder that stayed with Jack and Annie as they returned home. There is also a lot of interesting wildlife featured in this story, and some lessons to be learned about wildlife conservation.
This is part of the story arc featuring Teddy the dog who is under a spell, with Jack and Annie on a quest to receive four special gifts to break the enchantment. This is the third in the four-part arc, although it stands alone just fine.
The story also takes a philosophical turn as the kids learn a bit of wisdom from a Hindu hermit that they meet.
The thematic elements of the story came together nicely in the end, and there was a sense of wonder that stayed with Jack and Annie as they returned home. There is also a lot of interesting wildlife featured in this story, and some lessons to be learned about wildlife conservation.
This is part of the story arc featuring Teddy the dog who is under a spell, with Jack and Annie on a quest to receive four special gifts to break the enchantment. This is the third in the four-part arc, although it stands alone just fine.
February 25, 2019
Carli (6 yrs old) - I noticed that Teddy was really an amazing dog. One thing I pictured was the hermit man. I wonder why the man was blind? My favorite part was that Jack and Annie saved the tiger.
Ashley(35 years old) I noticed that the jungle was really loud. One thing I pictured was the rhino about to charge! I wonder if the tiger has tried to eat the hermit. My favorite part was when they fell asleep on the elephant.
Ashley(35 years old) I noticed that the jungle was really loud. One thing I pictured was the rhino about to charge! I wonder if the tiger has tried to eat the hermit. My favorite part was when they fell asleep on the elephant.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 16, 2022
I had some time waiting for the class I’ve been volunteering with to get back from music class so I sat down and read this. I haven’t read a magic tree house book in years. I remember reading them in first grade and feeling like I was transported to around the world with the kids. That sense of wonder still shines through even though I’m 21 and a senior in college.
February 14, 2019
Carli’s review: I noticed that the hermit knows ka and koh and the other animals. One thing I pictured was the hermit. I wonder why the hermit was blind? My favorite part was when Teddy saved Jack and Annie from the tiger.
November 25, 2019
rating: 3.5
Adventure and imagination mixed with factual information.
I haven't read any of these books with a child, but I can see why kids like them. They should probably be read in order. (This is #19. I've also read #25, which I liked better.)
Adventure and imagination mixed with factual information.
I haven't read any of these books with a child, but I can see why kids like them. They should probably be read in order. (This is #19. I've also read #25, which I liked better.)
June 5, 2021
Again, no fact tracker with this one. It shows the importance of protecting endangered species, as do most of these books. Overall, I do think they are good for young readers. They are short and adventurous so keep attention quite easily.
March 31, 2018
I didn't like this book because I don't like tigers. I liked this book because I liked the part when Jack & Annie got the third gift (a flower) for Teddy.
February 4, 2019
The 19th book in the Magic Tree House series. Jack and Annie journey to India in search of a gift to free a little dog from a magical spell. A fun and exciting adventure story for young readers.
August 6, 2021
Jack & Annie visit the rain forests of India, face a tiger, and acquire a lotus flower from a blind hermit . . .
April 26, 2022
Jack and Annie are off to the tiger-filled jungles of India!
Reading this series with my 7yo.
Reading this series with my 7yo.
July 31, 2020
We liked all the jungles animals.
January 8, 2021
A beautiful book about a trip to India with Jack and Annie.
January 26, 2023
Annie is scared of nothing! Girl is constantly like "trust me it'll be fine"!
November 21, 2022
3.5⭐️ (audio)
January 16, 2023
It was cool because they got to swing through the trees. There was a tiger injured, so they
March 13, 2025
My son loved all the different animals we learned about. It was difficult to discuss extinction, but this Book helped broach the topic so we could discuss it.
April 22, 2022
Listened to Audiobook
Displaying 1 - 30 of 339 reviews