Magic Tree House Books In Order To Read

Are you ready to embark on a whirlwind journey through time and space with Jack and Annie? The Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne has captivated young readers for decades, blending history, science, and fantasy into bite-sized adventures that educate and entertain. If you’re a parent looking for the perfect chapter books for your kids, a teacher seeking classroom reads, or even an adult revisiting childhood favorites, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’ll break down the Magic Tree House books in order, including the main series, Merlin Missions, Super Editions, and Fact Trackers. Let’s dive in and discover why this series has sold over 134 million copies worldwide!

What Is the Magic Tree House Series About?

The Magic Tree House follows siblings Jack (the cautious bookworm) and Annie (the bold explorer) who discover a mysterious tree house in the woods near their home in Frog Creek, Pennsylvania. Filled with books, the tree house magically transports them to different historical periods, mythical lands, and even outer space. Each book tackles a new mission, often involving solving riddles, helping historical figures, or learning about wildlife and cultures.

What makes the series so engaging? It’s not just the thrill of time travel—Osborne weaves in real facts, making every story a sneaky lesson. Kids aged 6-9 love the short chapters, illustrations by Sal Murdocca, and cliffhanger endings that beg for “just one more book!” Plus, the series grows with its readers: early books are simpler, while later ones add more complexity.

How Many Magic Tree House Books Are There?

As of October 2025, there are over 67 fiction books in the core series (including Merlin Missions), 1 Super Edition, and 44 Fact Trackers (non-fiction companions). The series started in 1992 and shows no signs of stopping, with new releases keeping the magic alive.

For the best experience, read in this order: the original 28 books, then the 27 Merlin Missions (a spin-off with more advanced plots), followed by the continuation of the main series starting from the “new” #29. This sequence follows the story’s progression, as Jack and Annie’s quests build on previous adventures.

Magic Tree House Books in Order

The Original Series (Books 1-28)

These foundational books introduce the tree house and take Jack and Annie on their first missions. They’re perfect for beginner readers, with AR levels around 2.0-3.0.

1. Dinosaurs Before Dark (1992) – Journey to the prehistoric era with dinosaurs.
2. The Knight at Dawn (1993) – Medieval castles and knights in shining armor.
3. Mummies in the Morning (1993) – Ancient Egypt and pyramid mysteries.
4. Pirates Past Noon (1994) – Ahoy! Pirate ships and buried treasure.
5. Night of the Ninjas (1995) – Samurai warriors in feudal Japan.
6. Afternoon on the Amazon (1995) – Rainforest animals and river adventures.
7. Sunset of the Sabertooth (1996) – Ice Age survival with saber-toothed tigers.
8. Midnight on the Moon (1996) – A lunar landing in the future.
9. Dolphins at Daybreak (1997) – Underwater exploration with sea creatures.
10. Ghost Town at Sundown (1997) – Wild West cowboys and haunted towns.
11. Lions at Lunchtime (1998) – African savanna wildlife.
12. Polar Bears Past Bedtime (1998) – Arctic expeditions and Inuit culture.
13. Vacation Under the Volcano (1998) – Pompeii before the eruption.
14. Day of the Dragon King (1998) – Ancient China and the Great Wall.
15. Viking Ships at Sunrise (1998) – Norse explorers and monasteries.
16. Hour of the Olympics (1998) – Ancient Greece and the games.
17. Tonight on the Titanic (1999) – The tragic voyage of the RMS Titanic.
18. Buffalo Before Breakfast (1999) – Native American plains and bison hunts.
19. Tigers at Twilight (1999) – Indian jungles and endangered tigers.
20. Dingoes at Dinnertime (2000) – Australian outback and marsupials.
21. Civil War on Sunday (2000) – American Civil War battlefields.
22. Revolutionary War on Wednesday (2000) – George Washington and the fight for independence.
23. Twister on Tuesday (2001) – Pioneer life and tornado chases.
24. Earthquake in the Early Morning (2001) – San Francisco’s 1906 quake.
25. Stage Fright on a Summer Night (2002) – Shakespeare in Elizabethan England.
26. Good Morning, Gorillas (2002) – Mountain gorillas in Africa.
27. Thanksgiving on Thursday (2002) – The first Thanksgiving with Pilgrims.
28. High Tide in Hawaii (2003) – Hawaiian culture and tsunamis.

Merlin Missions (Books 1-27, Originally Numbered 29-55)

After book #28, the series shifts to missions from the wizard Merlin. These are for slightly older kids (ages 7-10), with longer stories and deeper themes. In 2017, they were republished as a standalone series with new numbering.

1. Christmas in Camelot (2001) – King Arthur’s court and a quest for magic water.
2. Haunted Castle on Hallows Eve (2003) – Ghosts in a Scottish castle.
3. Summer of the Sea Serpent (2004) – Mythical sea creatures.
4. Winter of the Ice Wizard (2004) – Frozen lands and Jack Frost.
5. Carnival at Candlelight (2005) – Venice canals and time-sensitive rescues.
6. Season of the Sandstorms (2005) – Baghdad in the Golden Age.
7. Night of the New Magicians (2006) – Paris World’s Fair with inventors.
8. Blizzard of the Blue Moon (2006) – Great Depression-era New York.
9. Dragon of the Red Dawn (2007) – Edo-period Japan.
10. Monday with a Mad Genius (2007) – Renaissance Italy with Leonardo da Vinci.
11. Dark Day in the Deep Sea (2008) – Ocean depths and the HMS Challenger.
12. Eve of the Emperor Penguin (2008) – Antarctica with penguins.
13. Moonlight on the Magic Flute (2009) – Mozart in 18th-century Vienna.
14. A Good Night for Ghosts (2009) – New Orleans jazz with Louis Armstrong.
15. Leprechaun in Late Winter (2010) – Irish folklore and Augusta Gregory.
16. A Ghost Tale for Christmas Time (2010) – Victorian England with Charles Dickens.
17. A Crazy Day with Cobras (2011) – India with the Taj Mahal.
18. Dogs in the Dead of Night (2011) – Swiss Alps and St. Bernards.
19. Abe Lincoln at Last! (2011) – Meeting Abraham Lincoln.
20. A Perfect Time for Pandas (2012) – China and panda conservation.
21. Stallion by Starlight (2013) – Alexander the Great’s horse.
22. Hurry Up, Houdini! (2013) – Magic tricks with Harry Houdini.
23. High Time for Heroes (2014) – Florence Nightingale in Egypt.
24. Soccer on Sunday (2014) – Pelé and the World Cup.
25. Shadow of the Shark (2015) – Mayan civilization.
26. Balto of the Blue Dawn (2016) – Iditarod hero Balto.
27. Night of the Ninth Dragon (2016) – Camelot’s final challenge.

Continuation of the Main Series (Books 29-40, Post-Merlin)

These newer books pick up after the Merlin arc, with missions from Morgan le Fay again. They’re numbered as #29+ in the main series following the 2017 reorganization.

29. A Big Day for Baseball (2017) – Jackie Robinson and breaking barriers.
30. Hurricane Heroes in Texas (2018) – Galveston Hurricane of 1900.
31. Warriors in Winter (2019) – Marcus Aurelius in ancient Rome.
32. To the Future, Ben Franklin (2019) – Inventing with Benjamin Franklin.
33. Narwhal on a Sunny Night (2020) – Greenland with explorer Knud Rasmussen.
34. Late Lunch with Llamas (2020) – Incan Empire in Peru.
35. Camp Time in California (2021) – Yosemite with John Muir.
36. Sunlight on the Snow Leopard (2022) – Himalayas and snow leopards.
37. Rhinos at Recess (2023) – African wildlife conservation.
38. Time of the Turtle King (2023) – Galápagos Islands with sea turtles.
39. Windy Night with Wild Horses (2024) – Mongolian steppes.
40. Sea Otter Sunrise (2025) – Alaskan coast and marine life.

Super Editions

These are longer, standalone adventures for fans craving more depth.

1. Danger in the Darkest Hour (2015, reprinted as World at War, 1944 in 2017) – WWII Paris and the Resistance.

Fact Trackers: Non-Fiction Companions

Want to dive deeper? These research guides pair with specific fiction books, packed with facts, photos, and activities. There are 44 as of now, starting with:

1. Dinosaurs (2000)
2. Knights and Castles (2000)
3. Mummies and Pyramids (2001)

…up to

44. Snow Leopards and Other Wild Cats (2022)

They don’t need to be read in strict order—pick ones that match your favorite adventures!

Why the Magic Tree House Series Is a Must-Read

Beyond the fun, this series sparks curiosity about the world. Each book includes historical notes, encouraging kids to learn more. It’s great for reluctant readers, with audio versions available for family road trips. Teachers often use them for units on history or science, and parents rave about how they build vocabulary without feeling like homework.

Fun fact: The series inspired a musical, animated films, and even planetarium shows!

Ready to Start Your Adventure?

Grab the first book, Dinosaurs Before Dark, and watch the magic unfold. You can find boxed sets on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or your local library. Which book is your favorite? Share in the comments below, and don’t forget to subscribe for more kid-lit guides!