"Magic Tree House #10: Ghost Town at Sundown" is the tenth book in the popular children's book series written by Mary Pope Osborne. This enchanting tale follows the adventures of siblings Jack and Annie as they travel through time and explore different historical periods. In this thrilling installment, Jack and Annie find themselves in the Wild West during the late 1800s. They land in a small ghost town called "Mesa Verde" and are eager to solve another riddle that will help them on their mission to save Morgana, a magical librarian. As they explore this deserted town, they encounter various challenges and meet interesting characters. The siblings must find clues hidden throughout the ghost town to uncover the answer to the riddle and complete their mission.
The siblings must find clues hidden throughout the ghost town to uncover the answer to the riddle and complete their mission. Along the way, they face encounters with dangerous cowboys and even a ghostly sheriff. With each new clue they discover, the story becomes more suspenseful and filled with excitement.
Garlic and the Witch : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Oh. My. Cuteness! Garlic and the Witch is maybe the most adorable graphic novel I’ve ever read! Can I please crochet these little vegetable people? The story itself is a gentle adventure, perfect for sensitive readers who don’t want anything too scary.
AUTHOR: Bree Paulsen
ILLUSTRATOR: Bree Paulsen
SERIES: none
PUBLISHER: Quill Tree Books
PUBLICATION DATE: September 6, 2022
PAGES: 160
GENRE: graphic novel, supernatural, adventure
SETTING: a witch’s home in a forest
GIVE IT TO: ES
AWARDS AND KUDOS
PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY OF GARLIC AND THE WITCH
Garlic loves spending time with Witch Agnes, Carrot, and her new friend, the Count, who has proven to be a delightful neighbor to the village of vegetable people rather than a scary vampire. But despite Agnes’s best attempts to home-brew a vegetarian blood substitute for Count, the ingredient she needs most can only be found at the Magic Market, far from the valley.
Before she knows it, with a broomstick in hand, Garlic is nervously preparing for a journey.
But Garlic is experiencing another change too—finger by finger, she appears to be turning human. Witch Agnes assures her that this is normal for her garden magic, but Garlic isn’t so sure that she’s ready for such a big change. After all, changes are scary…and what if she doesn’t want to be human after all?
THE SHORT VERSION
Absolutely adorable! Perfect for elementary.
WHAT I LIKED ABOUT GARLIC AND THE WITCH
The little vegetable people are so cute that I want to crochet them! I don’t really have that kind of crocheting skill, so maybe Kohl’s Cares will pick up this book for their plushies.
This book is great for Halloween at the elementary level. It’s got an adventure, but it’s not scary. Garlic gets lost in a dark forest, but it isn’t long before she is found again. There are no scary creatures or yellow watching eyes in the forest; it’s just a lot of dark green trees. I recommend Garlic and the Witch for sensitive readers who want an adventure or a Halloween book, but one that isn’t too scary.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
I really don’t have any major “didn’t likes” for this one. I will say that for me, the adventure is super-tame, but for a sensitive young reader, the thrill level is perfect. I would have no problem handing this to a second grader in the library.
I’d love to see more books like this from Bree Paulsen. Maybe the other vegetables can get their own story? Or we can learn the stories of Witch Agnes or the Count?
DIVERSITY
Witch Agnes is white with brown hair.
The Count is light green with dark hair and red eyes.
Garlic and the other vegetables are, well, vegetables until the very end, when Garlic and Carrot become human. At that point, Garlic is white with light yellow braids, and Carrot has orange skin with with orange-brown dredlocks.
ARTWORK/ILLUSTRATIONS
So cute! Lots of greens, oranges, and browns. Perfect for fall or Halloween.
THEMES
- vegetables, personification, witches, vampires, growing up, friendship, courage
LIBRARIANS WILL WANT TO KNOW
- Would adults like this book? I think many adults will appreciate the adorable illustrations, but this is definitely an elementary book.
- Would I buy this for my high school library? NO – it’s way too young
- Would I buy this for my middle school library? YES – It’s a super-cute clean read, and I think some 6th graders will love it.
- Would I buy this for my elementary school library? YES – no reservations for elementary
MATURE CONTENT
- Language: none
- Sexuality: none
- Violence: none
- Drugs/Alcohol: none
- Other: There is one witch and one vampire character. Both are friendly and helpful.
MORE BOOKS LIKE GARLIC AND THE WITCH
MORE ELEMENTARY GRAPHIC NOVEL REVIEWS
- Squish by Jennifer Holm
- Allergic by Megan Wagner Lloyd
- Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas
That pattern was established in the Garlick case, the first of several involving witches that Winthrop, Jr. would oversee over the next decade.
As always, Osborne incorporates historical facts into the storyline, allowing young readers to learn while being entertained. Through their adventures, children can gain knowledge about the Wild West and life during that time period. This educational aspect of the book makes it a valuable addition to a child's reading list. "Ghost Town at Sundown" is a beautifully written and illustrated book that captures the imagination of young readers. It teaches important lessons about bravery, problem-solving, and the importance of working together. The author also skillfully weaves in elements of mystery and suspense, keeping readers hooked until the very end. Overall, "Magic Tree House #10: Ghost Town at Sundown" is a captivating book that combines history, adventure, and magic. It is perfect for young readers who enjoy fast-paced, imaginative stories. Mary Pope Osborne's talent for storytelling and her ability to educate while entertaining make this book a must-read for children of all ages..
Reviews for "Solving Riddles and Conquering Ghosts in Magic Tree House 10: Ghost Town at Sundown"
- Sarah - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "Magic Tree House 10". The plot was weak and predictable, and the characters didn't have much depth. The writing style was also quite dull and lacked any excitement. Overall, I found the book to be unengaging and not worth my time.
- Chris - 3/5 - I had high expectations for "Magic Tree House 10", but unfortunately, it fell short for me. The story felt rushed and the events seemed too convenient. Additionally, the dialogue didn't feel natural and the humor didn't quite land. While it wasn't a terrible book, it didn't live up to the previous installments in the series.
- Emily - 2/5 - I found "Magic Tree House 10" to be quite boring. The adventure lacked excitement and there was a lack of tension throughout the story. I didn't feel invested in the characters' journey and the magic of the previous books was missing. Overall, it wasn't a memorable read for me and I wouldn't recommend it.