[Magic Tree House 28] • High Tide in Hawaii

The Barnes Noble Review

Mary Pope Osborne's adventure-loving kids say "aloha" to Hawaii in the 28th installment of the Magic Tree House series.

After Jack and Annie are instructed by Morgan to "find a special magic" by building "a special kind of ship," they're off for some magical merriment with native Hawaiians. The kids meet up with two other youngsters, Kama and Boka, who instruct Jack and Annie on island life, including hula dancing, surfing, and how to make poi. Trouble brews when Jack gets grumpy because he has a tough time riding the waves, and then a tsunami threatens. But after hightailing it to safety, the gang let Jack tell the story with a shake of his hula-hips, and they realize the value of their new friends. As it turns out, the "ship" they discover is "friendship," and with their newfound knowledge, the two new Magicians of Everyday Magic are set to put it toward more exciting trips.

With plenty of sunny action for kids and useful information for teachers and parents, Osborne's tropics-bound tree house is ultra fun! As usual, the author makes learning about other cultures as easy as "poi," with Hawaii being a fantastic and magical site for the fourth "special magic" book.

Matt Warner