Tonight on the Titanic

Magic Tree House #17

by Mary Pope Osborne, Salvatore Murdocca (Illustrator)

Jack and Annie are in for an exciting, scary, and sad adventure when the Magic Tree House whisks them back to the decks of the "Titanic." Is there anything they can do to help the ill-fated ship? Will they be able to save anyone? Will they be able to save themselves?

Genres: Fantasy, Childrens, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Chapter Books, Adventure, Historical

96 pages, Paperback

First published February 20, 1999

About the author

Mary 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.

Reviews

[۶ৎ sarah سارة · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the magic treehouse book, Jack and Annie visit the treehouse and find a dog and 4 clues to break the dog's curse.
-A gift from a ship lost at sea
-A gift from the prairie blue
-A gift from a forest far away
-A gift from a kangaroo
They choose a book to travel into called The Unsinkable Ship. They travel into it and soon realize the ship they are on is the infamous Titanic. Instead of fleeing the ship, they choose to help the people on it and get more survivors.
I really liked this book and it gave me nostalgia, but it wasn't my favorite type of book and I was mildly disappointed I was able to read the whole thing in 20 minutes.😂
3/5 stars

[Rick Silva · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Kiddo (age 6) brought this home from his school library and I read it out loud to him. He has an interest in the story of the Titanic. This was my first introduction to Mary Pope Osbourne's Magic Tree House series, and I have to say I was impressed.

The main characters, Jack and Annie (ages 8 and 7) are "Master Librarians" for a magical treehouse library run by Morgan Le Fey (No, really.). The books in the treehouse allow the kids to travel through time with a few basic anti-paradox rules in place. No bringing anyone back with them, and no changing history. The structure of the series has the kids going on quests that span several books. This volume was the start of one such quest.

When Jack and Annie find a puppy (who they name Teddy) in the treehouse, they also find a message from Morgan Le Fey informing them that the puppy is under a spell and several items are needed to break the enchantment. First on the list: A gift from a ship lost a sea.

One trip through the space-time continuum later, and Jack and Annie find themselves aboard a luxurious ocean liner. The bad news, of course, is that it's the Titanic.

Once things get going, this book is non-stop fun. Osborne manages to keep the level of excitement and imperilment high without even needing a villain. Just a whole lot of mayhem as the minutes tick away and the kids try to find some way to help, even if they can't prevent the inevitable sinking of the ship.

In an introductory message to the readers, Osborne discusses her decision to set a story aboard the Titanic. It was frequently requested by readers, but she was at first reluctant because it was such a tragic story. In the end, she crafted a story that was exciting, but didn't shy away from the sadness of the event.

I'm looking forward to my son bringing home more books in this series.

[Book2Dragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Magic Tree House story; even out of order, easy to follow. It tells the tragedy of the Titanic, the ship that couldn't sink. Some good came out of it though, as regulations improved.
The twins barely escape, but they help a family first. (don't think that is a spoiler)
Gentle enough for children. Fun enough for adults.

[Yolanda Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Today is a turning point for my four-year-old, as she sat through the reading of an “entire” chapter book. The chapter endings held enough tension to keep her asking for more. Now she wants to explore all the Magic Tree House books. Hooray!❤️

[Carina · Rating 5 out of 5]

AHHHHHHHH ENJOYING THE REREADS SOOOOO MUCH!!!!!

[Matt Novitzki · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Lol wasn’t going to count this but ended up getting the flu, and I was NOT going to miss my goal)

Sped read this again at a Barnes & Noble during a mini-Titanic phase I was going through this summer. Just as I had remembered, the stakes were pretty high in this one for a Magic Treehouse book! For more current and historically accurate information, I would consider another book. Still enjoyed!

[Jenifer Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Favorite magic treehouse so far!

[Maha]

I love this book! My favorite character is the puppy who saves the day when the ship sinks!

By: Kelsie age 10

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of the Titanic... great children historical read

[Leah]

Y’all better believe I count the books I read out loud in class

[Vick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a 24 year old woman who just gave this book 5 stars, ofc it’s good. Loved it when I was a child, still love it now. It’s enough information to get children interested in a topic, there’s no doubt in my mind this was another cause for me loving history lol.

[Priscilla Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is personally one of my favorite books. if you like reading about the Titanic and like kid books it's great.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kids loved it

[A.L. Sowards]

I'm reading a book about the Titanic with my daughters, age 11, (A Brilliant Night of Stars and Ice), so my 7-year-old son wanted me to read this one to him. The author did a good job of keeping true to the history without making it too scary for young readers.

[Evie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was so sad. Not everyone made if off the boat. I can't believe not everyone did. How sad.

[Teddy Welch · Rating 3 out of 5]

They named the terrier Teddy. I liked it.

[Gabrielle Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

My inner child was happy with this

[Kat V · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a little dark for this age bracket I felt, but I’m always a sucker for animals and I liked the dog Teddy. 3 stars no strong feelings either way

[Lenxre · Rating 5 out of 5]

The nostalgia 🥹 6 y/0 me would find random magic tree house books in my older brother's room and id be sucked in for hours. This one was my favorite, I read it like 10+ times.

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slapped so hard

[Max Toscano · Rating 5 out of 5]

This makes me want to get in a submarine and visit the wreckage of the titanic I bet that will be fun and won’t implode

[Kaelin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the Magic Treehouse books as a kid! I remember this one specifically being one of my favorites, so I decided to read it with my 5-year-old. It was her first Magic Treehouse book, and she was hooked! We read it all in one afternoon because she didn't want to stop. Love these books!

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't believe how much my reading skills have gotten better as I grew older. When I read it back in grade 2, I thought it was one of the most complex books I ever read! Loved it then, love it now for all the nostalgia.

Also, there's a magic tree house musical??? Why didn't I know about this? Imagine my surprise when I flip to the last page and see that there's a CD available to buy. Huh.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this book

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’d heard of this series before but didn’t know anything about it. My son has been borrowing them from school and enjoying them, though. We attended a reading event at his school recently and he brought home a stack of Magic Tree House books. We ended up with duplicates of the Titanic volume (I’d grabbed one at a used book sale last year), so I decided to read along with him.

I started last night after he’d gone to bed, so this morning I mentioned that I was going to read the book along with him. His face lit up! He was so excited to discuss, asking me how far I’d gotten and reciting facts about the Titanic. I’ve dreamed of the day I could read a novel and discuss it with my sons, and that day is finally here. It’s a very easy read, obviously, but it’s a good place to start.

I’m not great at estimating these yet, but the reading level is probably first grade (he’s in first grade but reads at a third grade level, so this is not very challenging for him). It’s a good glimpse into a different time period: period garb and activities are glimpsed, and I anticipate him wanted to do further reading on some of the topics and historical events in the books. The plot moves quickly while still managing to touch on class and privilege and earlier forms of communication.

I was very impressed with the author’s ability to cram so much into such a short word count while still keeping the vocabulary level-appropriate and the plot gripping. I plan to borrow a few of his other books and read then while he’s sleeping so we can discuss those, too.

[Jaymee Sigafose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tonight on the Titanic is part of a series written by Mary Pope Osborne. This particular one in the series is about Jack and Annie taking a trip in the past to board the Titanic. Little did they know, they were boarding the boat on it's final night. Throughout the course of the book we are told various facts about that fateful night, while following Jack and Annie as they set out on a mission to help save their dog. Overall, I enjoyed this book and I know I enjoyed others in this series as a child. Learning about the past while there is another plot to follow is always something that has kept me entertained and I believe would keep my students entertained as well. I would suggest this book to any readers in the grades 3rd-5th. I might suggest keeping it closer to the 3rd range, just because they are quick reads and easy to follow for beginning chapter book readers. I also would place this as a fantasy due to the fact that they have a magic tree house they travel time in.

The main way I would use this book in my classroom is to form reading groups and to get students started on chapter books. I think that these would be fun for book clubs / reading groups because as students read they might assume something is going to happen next that is different from another student in the group- thus making lively conversation, which is always a main goal for these groups. I also would recommend them to students who I feel are ready to start chapter books because they are easy to read and would help boost confidence in reading. I also have thought about if students were on the fence about their love for reading that these books would be good to start them on because they are interesting and inviting, but also because of these books being a series it would be good for students to fall in love with one and ensure that they can't wait to read the next. By getting them hooked on a series, you are also slyly getting them hooked on reading.

I considered this book a WOW book for me because of how engaged it made me feel. The descriptions used and details made me feel as though I was right alongside Jack and Annie on the Titanic, running around with them and trying to get all they needed to do done in the time they had. I also found this as a WOW book due to how easy it would be for my students in the future to read these books and help have them fall in love with reading. I appreciate the easy to read style, but the detail and language used at the same time.

[Jenny Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This starts the four book mini mystery where Jack and Annie have to receive four presents from four different adventures to break the magic spell on the dog Teddy. This follows the others in being a pretty god adventure and well illustrated. There are also some emotional moments. The non fiction companion is Magic Tree House Fact Tracker #7: Titanic: A Nonfiction Companion to Magic Tree House #17: Tonight on the Titanic

[Kayleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again I had to read this book for class. I loved the magic tree house books growing up like I was obsessed. I was also obsessed with the titanic as a child so needless to say this was always my favorite book in the series. I remember loving this book so much and it being so sad to read. Even now as an adult I really enjoyed it. I think most of my enjoyment was based around pure nostalgia alone honestly. I still really enjoyed it though and think it’s just an easy fast read that children will enjoy!

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love learning about the titanic! It is such an interesting subject. And I own a ton of magic tree house books and when I was look through them and found this one! So I started reading it and then finished it! I think this book has so many twists and turns and did I mention all the characters? Also there were so many facts! I loved the little puppy too! So cute! Loved this book so much!


-Lily at age 8

[D'ale lui Damian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eu ,ca mamă ,mă declar fana acestei minunate autoare, care reușește să facă o minunată incursiune în trecut (cu ajutorul celor doi protagoniști, Annie și Jack), copilul meu dobândind câteva noțiuni minunate despre dinozauri, Roma antică, China, jungla amazoniană, Australia.
https://youtu.be/P9ScgzmXugo