First published 2008
Jack and Annie stumble upon a mysterious tree house filled with books in the woods near their home. When Jack opens a book about dinosaurs and wishes he could see them, the tree house spins and carries the siblings back to prehistoric times. They discover the tree house can transport them anywhere they point to in its books. Their adventures take them across history and around the globe, from ancient Egypt where they encounter mummies to medieval castles where they meet knights. They dodge pirates on the high seas, survive volcanic eruptions in Pompeii, and witness the sinking of the Titanic. Each journey teaches them about different cultures and time periods while testing their courage and friendship. The siblings must complete missions and solve puzzles to return home safely. Through twenty-eight adventures, Jack and Annie learn that books can open doorways to any place and time, transforming their quiet neighborhood into a launching pad for extraordinary discoveries.
Genres: historical-fiction, adventure, fantasy
Vibes: fast-paced, thought-provoking, whimsical
Tropes: adventure, found-family, time-travel
Setting: Prehistoric Times, Ancient Egypt, Medieval Castles, High Seas, Pompeii, Titanic
Period: Prehistoric, Ancient Egypt, Medieval, 19th-Century, 20th-Century
Paperback · Random House Books for Young Readers