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Magic Tree House #11
Lions at Lunchtime
The #1 bestselling chapter book series of all time celebrates 25 years with new covers and a new, easy-to-use numbering system!
"Where are the lions?" Jack wonders when the Magic Tree House whisks him and his sister to the vast plains of Africa. Before he can find out, Annie starts to help hundreds of wildebeests cross a rushing river. Next they follow a honey of a bird and meet an awesome Masai warrior. Jack hopes any lions will just stay away. Jack is about to be very disappointed…
Did you know that there’s a Magic Tree House book for every kid?
Magic Tree House: Adventures with Jack and Annie, perfect for readers who are just beginning chapter books
Merlin Missions: More challenging adventures for the experienced reader
Super Edition: A longer and more dangerous adventure
Fact Trackers: Nonfiction companions to your favorite Magic Tree House adventures
"Where are the lions?" Jack wonders when the Magic Tree House whisks him and his sister to the vast plains of Africa. Before he can find out, Annie starts to help hundreds of wildebeests cross a rushing river. Next they follow a honey of a bird and meet an awesome Masai warrior. Jack hopes any lions will just stay away. Jack is about to be very disappointed…
Did you know that there’s a Magic Tree House book for every kid?
Magic Tree House: Adventures with Jack and Annie, perfect for readers who are just beginning chapter books
Merlin Missions: More challenging adventures for the experienced reader
Super Edition: A longer and more dangerous adventure
Fact Trackers: Nonfiction companions to your favorite Magic Tree House adventures
96 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
602 people are currently reading
3509 people want to read
About the author
Mary Pope Osborne
1,088 books2,558 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 453 reviews
June 15, 2024
This is probably the weakest in the series because aspects of it haven't aged well. The depiction of Kenya is okay for the most part, but of course there is a stereotype that it is a country with no industrial development. Osborne did attempt to paint an accurate and positive representation of the Maasai people, but the interaction with Jack and Annie was slightly cringe. Granted, I know that this is an older series, so I don't expect everything to be perfect. It was nice to see our two main characters solve another riddle to get closer to becoming master librarians. I'm going to keep pushing through the series! It's been an enjoyable experience.
April 28, 2025
My 3rd grade tutoring group at work just finished this gem so of course I had to include it on goodreads 🤓
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November 1, 2013“Lions at Lunchtime” by Mary Pope Osborne is the eleventh book in the Magic Treehouse Series. The books starts off like all of the others were Jack and Annie are going into the treehouse and pick a book to go to. They get to Africa and see a gazelle running into the woods. The gazelle leads them to Morgan and she gives them a riddle to solve. “I’m the color of gold and as sweet as can be. But beware of the danger that’s all around me. What am I?” So then they take off into the African safari in search of the answer to the riddle. Knowing Annie as curious as she is trys to go by every animal they see. They eventually come up to this bird and it leads them to a bees hive. The answer is honey. Now they have to get back to the treehouse to give Morgan the answer. While on their way back they encounter a group of hungry lions. Annie starts to chase them but they end up chasing them back and they make it back to the treehouse just before the lions get to them. They make it back home before lunchtime and give Morgan the answer to the riddle. They then head home to lunch.
The two main characters in the book are Jack and Annie. Jack is more of the thinker of the two and is always looking out for his little sister Annie. Annie is more of the adventurous type and is always getting into things and/or chasing things.
The setting takes place in the safari of Africa for the most part and otherwise back at home in the frog creek woods.It takes place during nowadays but does not say. The author is very detailed with the setting and brings it to life with the characters.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a book about animals or to elementary school kids. This book is short and easy to read. I rate this book at four because it has a good story line but there could have been more to it.
The two main characters in the book are Jack and Annie. Jack is more of the thinker of the two and is always looking out for his little sister Annie. Annie is more of the adventurous type and is always getting into things and/or chasing things.
The setting takes place in the safari of Africa for the most part and otherwise back at home in the frog creek woods.It takes place during nowadays but does not say. The author is very detailed with the setting and brings it to life with the characters.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a book about animals or to elementary school kids. This book is short and easy to read. I rate this book at four because it has a good story line but there could have been more to it.
May 31, 2021
****4.0****
This was fun.
Jack and Annie are out to Africa trying to solve 2nd riddle from Morgan. They meet the wildlife of Africa and also face a few dangers in turn. But the quick wits of children help them to come back home safely.
Happy Reading!!
This was fun.
Jack and Annie are out to Africa trying to solve 2nd riddle from Morgan. They meet the wildlife of Africa and also face a few dangers in turn. But the quick wits of children help them to come back home safely.
Happy Reading!!
February 12, 2024
Kids thought it was great
May 3, 2025
Whaaaat a trip to Africa! This was a blast hearing about all the different animals! Close to a 5 star, but it felt a little too silly at times. Still very enjoyable nonetheless!
February 21, 2021
The Magic Tree House series became an instant hit for my 8-year-old son. I learned very quickly why the series quickly became a classic. Osbourne's stories draw the reader in and make them feel a part of the adventure and escape the world for a little while. The mystery really appeals to me and I find myself wanting to stay up past bedtime reading with him to find out what happens next. Reading this series every night with my son has become a huge tradition to him. He gets very upset if we miss reading a night. The Magic Tree House series is clean, suitable for any age, and fun for adults as well.
(Because the series is so large and stories short I will not be doing reviews on each book unless there is something specific to address.)
(Because the series is so large and stories short I will not be doing reviews on each book unless there is something specific to address.)
June 8, 2025
It was alright. 3 stars
January 8, 2023
I read this before lunch. It makes me hungry because they eat honey and sandwiches in front of my face!
May 23, 2024
Thank you to read alouds for boosting my reading goal
January 14, 2024
Fours stars for breaking the fourth wall at the end lol
December 10, 2009
Lions at Lunchtime by Mary Pope Osborne is the third of the four riddles and 11th in the Magic Tree House Series. Jack and Annie have their third scroll riddle to solve. It takes them to Kenya where they see zebras, wildebeests, hyenas and lions. They also meet a Masai warrior.
The book is full of interesting facts about the animals and the life cycle around the waterhole. The riddle this time is also focused on the animals of the area.
Like the previous two riddles, the answer will be obvious to an adult but will probably take the child reading the book a little long to sort out. My son came up with a number of possible solutions but had to wait to figure it out with Jack and Annie.
My only complaint with the book is that it makes Kenya seem more remote than it is. Now of course Jack and Annie can travel through time and space so they might have gone back in time in their journey to Kenya. It would though have been nice to include some details about how the Maasai are one part of Kenyan society instead of being represented as a mysterious and possibly threatening stranger near the waterhole.
The book is full of interesting facts about the animals and the life cycle around the waterhole. The riddle this time is also focused on the animals of the area.
Like the previous two riddles, the answer will be obvious to an adult but will probably take the child reading the book a little long to sort out. My son came up with a number of possible solutions but had to wait to figure it out with Jack and Annie.
My only complaint with the book is that it makes Kenya seem more remote than it is. Now of course Jack and Annie can travel through time and space so they might have gone back in time in their journey to Kenya. It would though have been nice to include some details about how the Maasai are one part of Kenyan society instead of being represented as a mysterious and possibly threatening stranger near the waterhole.
March 15, 2012
I have always wanted to go to Africa and finally got to with Jack & Annie, my awesome friends who help Morgan through the use of her magic tree house. Lions and zebras and giraffes, oh my! Hyenas, gazelle and wildebeest, oh dear! So many animals, its just like being on a safari. And best of all, a honey bird!! Or was the best thing the Masai warrior? Or maybe the honey? It could be the riddle. But no, the best thing was the Peanut Butter and Honey sandwiches. Yum! Only one more riddle left. Until the next adventure!!! =)
August 11, 2022
This book made me feel good, yeah, I'm not kidding! My favorite part of the book was when they took a bath with an elephant. I want to go wherever Jack and Annie are! But I wouldn't have tried to save wildebeests like Annie did. I would stay out of danger!
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January 9, 2021Read to Elliott!
March 20, 2017
Personal response: I read the book Lions at Lunchtime by Mary Pope Osborne. I like these books because Jack and Annie make a good team. They are great short chapter books.
Plot: Jack and Annie went to the treehouse and they ended up in Africa. They watched the animals from the treehouse. There was a riddle they needed to figure out. They had to find something gold, sweet, and surrounded by nature. Annie fell into a mud pit while she tried to help animals cross the river. Jack pulled Annie out to safety. They were approached by hyenas, but they learned that they were easily scared. They got the mud off of them with the help of elephants by the river. They followed a bird into the woods and found honey. They learned honey was the answer to the riddle. They ran into a warrior who always got honey. Jack and Annie made a peanut butter and honey sandwich which showed they were sorry. When they got back to the treehouse there were many lions surrounding it. Jack and Annie went to a giraffe, because lions don’t like giraffes. They made it to the treehouse and back home safely.
Characterization: Throughout this book Jack got smarter. He used the book about Africa to problem solve. He also was brave for his sister when she sank in the mud and when there were lions around the treehouse. He always knew what he had to do. Annie didn’t like to listen to Jack very much. She did take him seriously at some points when she needed to.
Setting: Lions at Lunchtime takes place in modern times in Africa. The setting is important to the story because it explains all the exotic animals the kids see on their adventure.
Recommendation: I would recommend this book to males and females because of the connections that can be made with the characters. I would also recommend this book to anyone in middle school and up because it is a short and easy read. I would give this book four stars.
Plot: Jack and Annie went to the treehouse and they ended up in Africa. They watched the animals from the treehouse. There was a riddle they needed to figure out. They had to find something gold, sweet, and surrounded by nature. Annie fell into a mud pit while she tried to help animals cross the river. Jack pulled Annie out to safety. They were approached by hyenas, but they learned that they were easily scared. They got the mud off of them with the help of elephants by the river. They followed a bird into the woods and found honey. They learned honey was the answer to the riddle. They ran into a warrior who always got honey. Jack and Annie made a peanut butter and honey sandwich which showed they were sorry. When they got back to the treehouse there were many lions surrounding it. Jack and Annie went to a giraffe, because lions don’t like giraffes. They made it to the treehouse and back home safely.
Characterization: Throughout this book Jack got smarter. He used the book about Africa to problem solve. He also was brave for his sister when she sank in the mud and when there were lions around the treehouse. He always knew what he had to do. Annie didn’t like to listen to Jack very much. She did take him seriously at some points when she needed to.
Setting: Lions at Lunchtime takes place in modern times in Africa. The setting is important to the story because it explains all the exotic animals the kids see on their adventure.
Recommendation: I would recommend this book to males and females because of the connections that can be made with the characters. I would also recommend this book to anyone in middle school and up because it is a short and easy read. I would give this book four stars.
October 9, 2023
It is so good I would recommend this for a kid and a beginner you will like this book and you probably will like the notebook of doom and magic tree house and dog man and cat kid and if you like books you will like one of those books and if you do not like reading you will like the notebook of doom and magic tree house and dog man and cat kid.
December 17, 2020
This one was so, so cute. Tons of information and also adventure. I love the friendship in this book with the honey guide and the Masai warrior and the elephant and the giraffe. The ending was so cute.
February 22, 2025
Our favorite part about reading the magic treehouse books is learning about animals and this book has a bunch! The book even goes so far as to breakdown the order of migrating animals and how they affect the grasses.
September 21, 2019
I was hoping the lion would eat Annie for lunch.
March 12, 2020
Read this in Latin with the kids. I really like how much it inspires the imagination and how educational the series is, but the writing itself is lacking.
October 9, 2020
I liked that they went through a very cool adventure and they escaped the hyenas and the lions.
May 23, 2025
Read this with my students 🤓🫶🏻
January 8, 2023
RATED AND REVIEWED BY M, my 7-year-old: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
(I also read this as a kid.)
(I also read this as a kid.)
October 7, 2023
this is how i’m getting out of my reading slump (by reading iconic books from my childhood)
also this is the type of book that made me think quicksand would be a bigger problem than it actually is
also this is the type of book that made me think quicksand would be a bigger problem than it actually is
September 12, 2024
Annie's habit of running off on her own impulsively without listening to jack reminds me of myself when I was younger. Now I know how my parents felt when I did that. Really feel for jack. The banter at they end of the books is always fun and this one has some fun 4th wall awareness in it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2025
Jack: Where are the lions?
Annie: Oh, hi there! (to everything they meet).
Annie: Oh, hi there! (to everything they meet).
January 6, 2025
Another fun read. Although, as an adult, the books are feeling very formulaic at times, my kids are still eating them up. They particularly liked the riddle aspect of this book. Downside - this book hasn't aged particularly well, the presentation of African people would no longer be appreciated.
December 7, 2021
Jack and Annie are back again and this time off to solve their third riddle in the African safari. While Annie is running off to help the animals here and there, Jack has a little voice inside him asking “Where are the lions?”
Between the two siblings, this book was really Annie’s calling. In all the previous installments, it’s been proven that Annie has a knack for animals so it’s no argument that she was going to try and help every animal in need. Although it is a good deed, I found that she was also to some extent ignoring and not considering Jack’s feelings. The book doesn’t touch on it much but Jack was upset in some scenarios.
As usual this book had wonderful pictures and since we’re visiting a safari they were much more scenic. Also, the facts weaved throughout were plentiful and really helped add to the story. I learned some new details as well and always enjoy how the facts provided are out of the ordinary and unexpected.
Although the book is titled with “lions” it’s not the main premise and a little spoiler if I may add, has nothing to do with the riddle. These books are really starting to grow on me now since the titles have very little to do with the story except for an odd event at the end. Although it is mentioned or hinted at in the beginning; another mystery I suppose.
Overall, I enjoyed this quick warm read. I don’t see any of the riddles so far being related in any way as well. The next book should have our last riddle to solve and hopefully we’ll be able to see our sibling duo become Master Librarians!
Read more reviews @ Mystic's Review Shelf
Between the two siblings, this book was really Annie’s calling. In all the previous installments, it’s been proven that Annie has a knack for animals so it’s no argument that she was going to try and help every animal in need. Although it is a good deed, I found that she was also to some extent ignoring and not considering Jack’s feelings. The book doesn’t touch on it much but Jack was upset in some scenarios.
As usual this book had wonderful pictures and since we’re visiting a safari they were much more scenic. Also, the facts weaved throughout were plentiful and really helped add to the story. I learned some new details as well and always enjoy how the facts provided are out of the ordinary and unexpected.
Although the book is titled with “lions” it’s not the main premise and a little spoiler if I may add, has nothing to do with the riddle. These books are really starting to grow on me now since the titles have very little to do with the story except for an odd event at the end. Although it is mentioned or hinted at in the beginning; another mystery I suppose.
Overall, I enjoyed this quick warm read. I don’t see any of the riddles so far being related in any way as well. The next book should have our last riddle to solve and hopefully we’ll be able to see our sibling duo become Master Librarians!
Read more reviews @ Mystic's Review Shelf
Displaying 1 - 30 of 453 reviews