Magic Tree House: Merlin Missions

I have finished my mission to read all the Merlin Missions. And the series except for the latest book because it has a long waiting list as it should. Some series don’t stand the test of time much less resonate with a new generation (usually by retconning the old which makes no one happy) but this one manages to do both.

In these special stories, Osborne adds a little more magic to the myth and history that Jack and Annie travel to starting with an invitation to Camelot. to rescue three famous Knights of the Round Table and the kingdom from Mordred’s evil spell. While Jack and Annie don’t initially realize who sent the invitation (though readers will quickly pick it up because hello, it’s in the name), their journey to the Otherworld is heavily inspired by Celtic/Brittanic mythology as they face dancing faries, dragons and more.

The Merlin Missions are slightly longer than the regular serues at 110 pages and they focus less on the power of reading (although it is in there) but imagination and appreciating the historical progress and ingenuities that could be considered magical in itself. The best example would be Night of the New Magicians where they meet the inventors of penicilan, telephone, etc.

There is more interaction with historical domain characters tan the original series where Jack and Annie work in a stable time-loop, helping younger versions of characters like Mozart, Florence Nightingale and Alexander the Great realize their dreams and set them on the path where they contribute to history today.

The most meaningful one would have to be For the Future, Ben Franklin because Ben Franklin’s disappoint in America and where it is heading. I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say that the sentiment feels very relatable to current events and it is so heartwarming when Jack and Annie renew his faith by giving him a peek at his and America’s legacy. Yes, life seems pretty bad now but we have made some amazing strides that would blow our ancestor’s minds. Good changes that prove humans can be amazing.

But like I said, it’s not all history. Some are firmly set in the world of fantasy like the first four novels that take place in different parts of the magical Camelot realm inspired by Celtic and Nordic myths. Others blend magical realism with magic carpets and unicorns roaming through the New York streets and Jack and Annie are given magical artifacts that help them when they cannot help themselves.

While it is primarily focused on Jack and Annie, a few books have supporting chracters in the form of Kathleen and Teddy, fellow sorcerers of Camelot but that disappears halfway through the series. Honestly, I feel its a shame because even though its formulaic, it could add some new dynamics if it was a foursome instead of a twosome.

The magical realm aspect gets phased out to more historical-magical realism that the regular series is known for so we don’t get much insight to Camelot by itself which is too bad because in Blizzard of the Blue Moon, there are rival sorcerers under Mordred and. . . they never appear again. Osborne seems to keep continuity in strictly Jack and Annie aging up instead of giving them reoccuring rivals. Which again, may create new situations for Jack and Annie to power through using their wits and book learning.

However, they are minor quibbles as Osborne’s imagination and the breadth of her subject matters bring unique stories that never get repetitive and feel timeless to the reader.

Oh, and before I go, Osborne had a super special entitled Danger in the Darkest Hour or World at War, 1944. Don’t know why it got retitled. Anyway, at double the length, Annie and Jack have to rescue Kathleen and several war orphans using nothing but their powers of observation (having jumped out of the plane without the Wand of Diamathus, whoops). Osborne ups the stakes while depicting a child-friendly gravity to the danger and prejudice tearing the world apart in this era. It was enjoyable and I hope Osborne will venture into doing another super special sometime soon.

There are so many places and eras the kids haven’t explored yet but as long as Osborne is writing, who knows what will get highlighted next.