Finding book series that children genuinely want to read can be surprisingly difficult. Finding books parents enjoy reading aloud night after night can be even harder. After hearing countless recommendations for the Magic Tree House Series by Mary Pope Osborne, our family decided to take a chance on a boxed set. What started as an experiment quickly became one of the most successful additions to our home library. If you’re wondering whether Magic Tree House is worth reading, what age group it works best for, or what order the books should be read in, this guide covers everything you need to know.
When you buy through my links, I may earn money from my affiliate partners. Learn more.
Editor’s Note (2026): This article was originally published in 2020 and has been updated to reflect the current Magic Tree House series order and reading recommendations. While our family’s reading experience occurred several years ago, the series remains one of the most popular early chapter book collections for children transitioning into independent reading.
*Scroll to the bottom if you’re interested in frequent questions people ask about Magic Tree House books*
Quick Answer Box
- Author: Mary Pope Osborne
- How many books are there? 40 books total in this series
- Recommended age: 6-9
- Reading order: Start at book #1
- Latest release: Sea Otter Sunrise (Book #40)
How Many Magic Tree House Books Are There?
There are currently 40 books in the main Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne. In addition, there are 27 Merlin Missions books, which continue Jack and Annie’s adventures in longer, more advanced stories.
| Series | Books |
|---|---|
| Main Magic Tree House Series | 40 |
| Merlin Missions | 27 |
| Total Jack & Annie Adventures | 67 |
Originally, there were only 28 books as part of the Magic Tree House series. The original book #29, Christmas in Camelot, launched a distinct series titled Merlin Missions for older and more advanced readers.
Later, the Merlin Missions books were separated into their own series and renumbered from 1–27. The newer book #29 became A Big Day for Baseball. Afterward, additional books were added to the main Magic Tree House series, bringing the total to 40 books.
Magic Tree House Books in Chronological Order
There isn’t currently a boxed set containing all 40 books, so you’ll need to purchase multiple boxed sets or individual books. The largest boxed collection currently available includes Books 1-28.
Have you and your family read the Magic Tree House series? I’d love to hear which books became your favorites. Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Best Magic Tree House Books for New Readers
For this series, you really want to start in the beginning. The first few books establish the central characters and exactly how they travel around in time. If your family likes these first three, you’ll know it’s OK to rent or purchase a bunch more.
Magic Tree House Reading Level
Magic Tree House books are ideal for children ages 6–9 and are widely considered one of the best early chapter book series for developing readers. Their short chapters, approachable vocabulary, and exciting adventures make them an excellent bridge between beginner readers and longer chapter books.
| Metric | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Recommended Age | 6–9 years old |
| Typical Grades | 1st–3rd grade |
| Best as a Read-Aloud | Kindergarten and up |
| Independent Reading | Most children in Grades 2–3 (some advanced 1st graders) |
| Chapter Length | Short (typically 10 short chapters per book) |
| Difficulty | Beginner chapter books |
While reading levels vary slightly from book to book, the recommendations below apply to the majority of the series.
What grade level are Magic Tree House books?
Most children read Magic Tree House during 1st through 3rd grade. Strong kindergarten readers often enjoy the books with adult support, while many second graders can read them independently. Because reading ability varies widely, age and grade recommendations should be treated as general guidelines rather than strict rules.
What Lexile range are Magic Tree House books?
Most Magic Tree House books fall between approximately Lexile 240L and 530L, with many popular titles clustering between 300L and 500L. Reading levels vary slightly by title, but the series is intentionally written for children making the transition from easy readers to chapter books.
What Guided Reading Level are Magic Tree House books?
Most books in the series fall around Guided Reading Levels M–N, making them a common classroom choice for developing elementary readers.
What AR (Accelerated Reader) level are Magic Tree House books?
Most titles in the series have Accelerated Reader (AR) Book Levels ranging from approximately 2.5–3.5, although individual books differ slightly.
Are Magic Tree House books good for struggling readers?
Yes. Many teachers and parents recommend the series because it was written specifically for children building reading confidence. The books feature:
- Short chapters that feel manageable
- Simple sentence structure
- Repetitive story patterns
- Familiar main characters
- Exciting adventures that motivate children to keep reading
While some historical vocabulary may be new, context usually makes the meaning clear without becoming overwhelming.
Can advanced kindergarteners read Magic Tree House?
Many advanced kindergarteners enjoy Magic Tree House as a read-aloud or with adult support. Some exceptionally strong early readers can read the books independently, but most children are ready for independent reading sometime during 1st or 2nd grade.
If you’re unsure whether your child is ready, start with Dinosaurs Before Dark (Book #1). Its short chapters, straightforward vocabulary, and engaging story make it one of the easiest entry points into the series.
Why Magic Tree House Works So Well for Early Readers
Several factors have helped Magic Tree House remain popular with parents, teachers, and children for decades.
Short chapters make progress feel achievable for developing readers.
Predictable structure creates confidence because children quickly understand how the adventures unfold.
Historical and educational themes introduce real-world topics without feeling like schoolwork.
Strong sibling relationship gives readers relatable characters they can follow from book to book.
Adventure and mystery elements keep children turning pages while remaining age appropriate.
Together, these qualities make Magic Tree House one of the most successful bridge series between picture books and longer chapter books.
Our Family’s Experience Reading Magic Tree House
We were in a reading slump. Our children’s book collection, though impressive and filled with fun favorites and classics in my biased opinion, was getting stale. In the midst of COVID-19 closures, libraries still barred us weary souls from finding fresh material.
Our 6 year old, nearly 4 year old, and 1 year old love books. They love books almost as much as they love electronics and video games. With schools closed and my wife powering through home schooling sessions, it was clear something had to be done to increase not only the quantity of book reading in the home, but also the joy of reading. The current stock wasn’t cutting it.
Rewind a couple weeks, we bought the 28-book set (now there are 40 books in the series) of Magic Tree House Books by Mary Pope Osborne. The worst that could happen is we bought new books at new book prices our oldest wouldn’t care for. Maybe the younger two would enjoy them later. The best we could hope for is a fresh renewal for fun bedtime stories or a few minutes of additional peace and quiet during the day.
Dinosaurs Before Dark – Book #1
We cracked open Book #1, Dinosaurs Before Dark, and the older boys were hooked! I don’t just mean they placated our desire to make our money well spent. They were magically bound, hanging on every page to know what happened next with inquisitive brother Jack and adventurous sister Annie. Dinosaurs Before Dark was exciting. It is a portal type book in which the main characters teleport from their quaint home in Fog Creek Woods, Pennsylvania to a different land and time. There is adventure, wonder, learning, and magic.
Each book, (we were on Book #10 – Ghost Town at Sundown when writing this but have since finished them all), takes Jack and Annie from home to a magical adventure and back again. While each contains some frightful moments or high-stake risks, they are subtle enough for young kids to enjoy. The moments of panic are often short and subdued enough to keep attention spans focused without dragging on unnecessarily.
As an Evangelical Christian, there have been situations that left me feeling uncomfortable. While some Christians are very opposed to books about magic (sorcery, spells, etc.), I’m not particularly one of those. I am a Harry Potter fan after all! To acknowledge many of you who do hold strong beliefs one way or the other, there was language in Book #3, Mummies in the Morning, for example, that made me hesitate.
During book #3, Mummies in the Morning, Jack and Annie find themselves in Egypt among the great pyramids helping a dead queen travel through the afterlife. They were to find her Book of the Dead as she communicated to them in ghost form. The story presented the ghost queens need to decipher clues to help her make it to her next lift. So far, this has been the only book that presents such a specific belief system as if it were true reality. Perhaps I took it one way and you’ll take it another. It certainly wasn’t enough to cause me to stop reading, though I must admit I left a few words out of it here and there – an increasingly difficult thing to do with a voracious reader of a 6-year old who follows along and reminds me when I missed a word.
Why Kids Love Magic Tree House Books
If you’re looking to freshen up your children’s book collection or find a book gift idea, Magic Tree House has been a bit hit in our home. Our older boys are eager to continue reading them each day and as a parent it feels good having a new set of books to enjoy.
For those of you writing children’s books or trying to break into the children’s book market, these are a great resource to be familiar with. As a #1 New York Times Bestselling Series, the books shed light on what has appealed to large numbers of people. Some items I’ve noticed that has led to this strong reception are:
- Concise writing – very little fluff. The books have 10 chapters, all short.
- Immediate action – there isn’t a lot of waiting around for things to happen. Jack and Annie get into adventure quickly to hold kids’ attention spans.
- Peril – The books aren’t just sunshine and rainbows. There are moments of fright and fear. Will Jack and Annie make it? Of course, but in some scenes it’s not obvious how!
- Repetition – These books have a good kind of repetition that kids can appreciate and expect. Jack and Annie want to visit their magical tree house. Jack and Annie see a magical book they wish to visit the pages of. Jack and Annie find themselves in a new place with quests, dangers, and rewards. Jack and Annie make it home safely.
- Kids are the main characters – In any children’s book, children must be the focal point. That’s who kids identify with most and it helps them transport into the pages.
Magic Tree House Frequently Asked Questions
What is Magic Tree House about?
A simple and short answer is that Magic Tree House books are about two young kids, Jack and Annie, who go on fantastic adventures through magical books. There is light peril, a mixture of themes and plots, and a gentle repetition for young readers to understand and enjoy. Jack and Annie find a magic tree house and through a specific phrase, teleport to the place and time various books are about. They work with new friends, solve riddles, and always make it back home in the blink of an eye.
What age and reading level is good for Magic Tree House books?
Magic Tree House books are generally recommended for children ages 6–9 and are best suited for 1st through 3rd graders. Many families enjoy them as read-alouds beginning in kindergarten, while strong readers may begin reading them independently during 1st grade.
For a complete breakdown of Lexile levels, Guided Reading Levels, Accelerated Reader (AR) levels, grade recommendations, and reading difficulty, see the Magic Tree House Reading Level section above.
Is Magic Tree House a good book series for first graders?
Yes. Many first graders enjoy Magic Tree House as either independent readers or family read-alouds. The books feature short chapters, approachable vocabulary, and exciting adventures that help children transition from beginner readers to chapter books.
Which Magic Tree House book should I start with?
For almost every reader, Dinosaurs Before Dark (Book #1) is the best place to start. Although each adventure tells its own story, beginning with the first book introduces Jack, Annie, and the magical tree house while establishing recurring characters and story elements that appear throughout the series.
Do you need to read the Magic Tree House books in order?
You don’t HAVE TO read them in order, but you really should, because there are sub-plots and miniature stories within the overall series arc that develop characters, quests, and provide background in other books. But, if you are missing a book and don’t want to wait for it, you could totally read a later book in the meantime, as each story begins and ends a new “plot” for each book. There is a lot of repetition in the stories, though each is fresh and unique.
What is the first Magic Tree House book?
Dinosaurs Before Dark is the first book in the Magic Tree House series. It introduces siblings Jack and Annie, the magical tree house, and the time-travel adventures that continue throughout the series. New readers should begin with Book #1 to experience the story in publication order.
How many Magic Tree House books are there?
There are currently 40 books in the main Magic Tree House series. If you include the 27 Merlin Missions books, there are 67 Jack and Annie adventures altogether.
What are Merlin Missions?
Merlin Missions is a companion series that follows Jack and Annie on longer, more challenging adventures. These books were originally numbered as part of the main series before being separated and renumbered into their own collection for more advanced readers.
What is the last Magic Tree House book?
Currently, Sea Otter Sunrise Book #40 is the last book in the series. But never say never – Mary Pope Osborne has continued writing so we will stay tuned!
Are there still new Magic Tree House books?
The latest book in the main series is Sea Otter Sunrise (Book #40). While no additional books have been announced, Mary Pope Osborne has continued writing throughout her career, so future releases remain possible.
Are Magic Tree House books historical fiction?
Yes, while there are some historical facts throughout the series, the majority of content is fantastical fiction. No attempt is made to pretend it’s all true and it does take a parent to know or research which elements are completely true or have a shred of truth in them. Often place names or key historical people are based on truth but the events are less so and then blended with fantasy.
Are Magic Tree House books Christian?
No, absolutely not. Author Mary Pope Osborne makes no attempt to associate the story line with a preconceived religious connection.
Who wrote Magic Tree House books?
Mary Pope Osborne created the series and many others. Scroll to the top to see more information on this talented and prolific author.
Where can I buy Magic Tree House books?
Scroll up and you’ll see a convenient list of book titles with Amazon links. You can also buy the series typically wherever books are sold.
Final Thoughts
For parents searching for beginner chapter books that balance adventure, repetition, and educational themes, Magic Tree House remains one of the strongest early-reader series available.
This book series is large enough to keep your family busy for months if not longer.
If you’re curious what book series my son moved onto next, check out Dragon Masters by Tracey West!
Or, if you’ve got an older reader that loves animal characters and craves action, the expansive world of Warrior Cats might be a great choice.
Andrea Shaker
December 1, 2020I loved these books growing up! They were a lot of fun!
Rhys Keller
December 2, 2020Thank you for sharing that, Andrea! We’ve recently delved into a few other book series that my oldest is wild about. Definitely need to create some blog posts on those!
Missie Matt
July 24, 2020My students love these books! The set is a perfect pandemic idea!
Rhys Keller
July 24, 2020Thanks, Missie! I couldn’t agree more. These books are so, so good! I highly recommend all of them for people to check out from their local library or buy to keep forever. So many laughs!