What do You think about Civil War On Sunday (2008)?
Much like Tonight on the Titanic, this entry in the series struggles to address real-world tragedy in the context of a book aimed at grade-schoolers. Tricky.Osborne wisely avoids any analysis of the war's causes and simply presents its awful consequences: chaos, terror, pain, suffering, loss and finally numbness. It's all done in very broad strokes and the text keeps the reader at a safe distance from the carnage, but it's made clear that the entire experience has a profound impact on the two protagonists. Annie's altruism is sorely tested and Jack's naive impression of war being some kind of grand adventure is utterly obliterated.Osbrone succeeded at a difficult task in writing this book and should be commended. It's definitely one of the stronger entries in the series to date.
—Marc Lucke
Starting with this book, Jack and Annie embark on a new series of missions for Morgan le Fay. She tells them that Camelot is in trouble and she needs their help. They must find four special kinds of writing for her library.1. Something to follow2. Something to send3. Something to learn4. Something to lendThe children travel back in time to the War Between the States, or the Civil War. There they help nurse wounded soldiers and meet Clara Barton, a pioneering nurse who later founded the American Red Cross.Jack and Annie even meet a drummer boy who resembles Jack a great deal. His name is John. When they get home, they find out from their mom and dad that John is actually one of their ancestors! They had an ancestor who was a drummer boy for the Union Army.The nurses give the children a list of instructions from Miss Barton, which are pieces of good advice for life. Something to follow!*Be cheerful*Lesson sorrow and give hope*Be brave*Put aside your own feelings*Don't give up*Do not forget the ones who love you
—Anna
Traveling back in time from the rumbling thunderstorms of present-day Frog Creek, Pennsylvania, to the booming of Civil War cannonballs near Richmond, Virginia, Jack and Annie set out on their 21st Magic Tree House adventure. The mysterious Morgan le Fay, magical librarian of Camelot, the long-ago kingdom of King Arthur, has left the brother and sister a message in their magic tree house, asking for their help saving Camelot. "Please find these four special kinds of writing for my library: Something to follow, Something to send, Something to learn, Something to lend." Jack and Annie enthusiastically transport themselves to a field near the fighting, and soon are enlisted as volunteer nurses assisting none other than Clara Barton, legendary "Angel of the Battlefield," as she drives her horse-drawn ambulance right onto the battlefields to help save wounded soldiers--including one with a very special connection to Jack and Annie. Mary Pope Osborne's tremendously popular Magic Tree House series launches into a new realm, as Jack and Annie are challenged to save Camelot. Young readers will effortlessly learn the basics of Civil War history, while losing themselves in another gripping tale that has turned many a nonreader into a bookworm.
—Sam
