Part of Magic Tree House: Merlin Missions, book 17
First published 2011
Jack and Annie face their most dangerous mission yet when Merlin's penguin Penny falls under a dark spell. The wizard needs four special items to break the enchantment, starting with a rare emerald hidden somewhere in India. The magic tree house carries the siblings back over four centuries to the time of the Great Mogul. They land in a world of palaces and bazaars, where precious gems flow through the hands of merchants and rulers. But finding one specific emerald proves harder than they imagined. The powerful Mogul guards his treasures jealously. A wild elephant sends them careening through the streets. Deadly king cobras strike without warning. Each step forward brings new perils that could strand them forever in the past. Jack relies on research and careful planning while Annie trusts her instincts and bold action. Together they must navigate the dangers of an unfamiliar empire where one wrong move could mean death. The clock ticks as they race to find the emerald and return home. Penny's life hangs in the balance, and only their courage and quick thinking can save her.
Genres: historical-fiction, adventure, fantasy
Vibes: fast-paced, suspenseful, whimsical
Tropes: found-family, quest
Setting: India
Period: 17th-Century
128 pages · Hardcover · Random House Books for Young Readers