Christmas in Camelot

October 1, 2001
What could be more exciting than a Christmas Eve quest back in the time of King Arthur? Young listeners are swept into historical fantasy as author Mary Pope Osborne reads her own bestselling works on the audiobook Christmas in Camelot, which includes the Magic Tree House titles Christmas in Camelot and Magic Tree House Research Guide #2: Knights and Castles.

October 1, 2001
Gr 2-5-In this series installment, Jack and Annie are transported to the legendary kingdom, which has been put under a dismal spell by King Arthur's enemy Mordred. To bring joy and hope back to Camelot, the youngsters volunteer to journey to the Otherworld in order to bring back the Water of Memory and Imagination that will break the spell. This isn't really a Christmas story, but rather a rousing adventure tale filled with dancing fairies, white stags, and hideous beasts. Jack and Annie undertake the rigors of the quest with enthusiasm and aplomb, and if it all seems a bit too easy, fledgling fantasy readers and fans of the series shouldn't mind at all.-E. M.

Copyright 2001 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 15, 2001
Gr. 2-5. Although not a numbered volume in the Magic Tree House series, this adventure features young Annie and Jack on a return trip to Camelot. There they journey into the Otherworld to save Sir Lancelot, Sir Galahad, and Sir Percival and to lift Mordred's evil spell from the kingdom. Osborne introduces young readers to two of the most venerable conventions of fantasy: a rhyming riddle that must be solved and magical objects (whose legendary origins are described in a fine author's note) that help the children complete their quest. Despite a series of trials, the children's triumph seems to come easily. The print is fairly large, the text lively, and appealing illustrations appear every few pages. This is longer than the early Magic Tree House books, but children who have read the entire series are probably ready for somewhat longer chapter books by now.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2001, American Library Association.)

October 22, 2001
With a dose of seasonal enchantment, the latest Magic Tree House installment takes readers not to a historical era, but to the legendary Round Table in Christmas in Camelot by Mary Pope Osborne, illus. by Sal Murdocca.

January 1, 2002
When the magic tree house takes them to Camelot, Jack and Annie find a downtrodden King Arthur and a joyless court. In an attempt to save the realm, the two children accept a quest to journey to the Otherworld to find the Water of Memory and Imagination. Fans of the series will not be disappointed with this story, which is illustrated with black-and-white artwork and filled with magic and adventure.

(Copyright 2002 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

January 1, 2017

Gr 2-4-Fans of the popular series will revel in this adventure that sends Jack and Annie back to the court of King Arthur at a very subdued holiday feast, where they eagerly accept a quest to protect the kingdom from an evil spell, proving once again that children can save the day.

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.