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Magic Tree House "Merlin Missions" #21
Stallion by Starlight
Magic Tree House Series Paperback books 1-28 Hardcover books 29-49 Paperback 14 Research guides
128 pages, Hardcover
First published March 26, 2013
334 people are currently reading
2225 people want to read
About the author
Mary Pope Osborne
531 books2,664 followersMary Pope Osborne is an American author of children's books and audiobook narrator. She is best known as the author of the Magic Tree House series, which as of 2017 sold more than 134 million copies worldwide. Both the series and Osborne have won awards, including for Osborne's charitable efforts at promoting children's literacy. One of four children, Osborne moved around in her childhood before attending the University of North Carolina. Following college, Osborne traveled before moving to New York City. She somewhat spontaneously began to write, and her first book was published in 1982. She went on to write a variety of other children's and young adult books before starting the Magic Tree House series in 1992. Osborne's sister Natalie Pope Boyce has written several compendium books to the Magic Tree House series, sometimes with Osborne's husband Will Osborne.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
April 24, 2015
Another fantastic trip in the tree house! I have to tell you that one of my first thoughts when finding out I was pregnant with my third babe was that I was going to get to re-read all of these books with him when he gets old enough. What a fabulous series!!! I swear I learn something new every time. The Magic Tree House series is fun for all! What great read-alouds! In case you're curious, my two favorites remain Night of the New Magicians and Leprechaun in Late Winter. But for the most part, you just can't go wrong. We do tend to favor the Merlin Missions, and we did have one miss only one time (High Time for Heroes). But truly this is an outstanding series for kids AND moms! And dads! Keep 'em coming, Ms. Osbourne! We love what you do!
February 21, 2021
In this adventure, Jack and Annie have to find one of four secrets to greatness for Merlin. They travel back in time to Macedonia and meet Alexander the Great before he was great and quite frankly, a punk of a kid. I loved it. I loved the huge life lesson taught and the way Jack poured his heart into explaining it. A definite must-read for kids and enjoyable for adults.
April 26, 2018
I read the Magic Tree House: Stallion by Starlight by Mary Pope Osborne. What I liked most about this book was when Jack and Amy met the king. I liked when they talked about bears because they are cute.
April 16, 2013
I really really liked this book. I always wanted to learn about Alexander the Great AND his horse Bucephalus. All of it mixed into a magic tree house that was 108 pages long. (That's not including the authors note OR the sneak peek of the fact tracker: Horses.) It's going to be exciting to read the fact tracker. Thank you Mary Pope Osborne for teaching me how to love to read! :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 7, 2020
Jack and Annie travel to ancient Macedonia, where they meet a young Alexander the Great. He's not actually great yet, but certainly has a high opinion of himself. They also meet Alexander's tutor, Aristotle, and help Alexander bond with his famous horse, Bucephalus.
The beginning of the story has Jack and Annie stumbling around quite a bit, and when Alexander turns out to be a bit of a jerk, it looks like they may have to give up on their mission to learn a lesson in greatness. But the scene where they use some of Merlin's magic to make themselves into "horse whisperers" is really one of the best scenes in the whole series.
The author gives a bit of depth to Bucephalus' backstory, and gives Jack and Annie a real emotional connection with the horse.
The beginning of the story has Jack and Annie stumbling around quite a bit, and when Alexander turns out to be a bit of a jerk, it looks like they may have to give up on their mission to learn a lesson in greatness. But the scene where they use some of Merlin's magic to make themselves into "horse whisperers" is really one of the best scenes in the whole series.
The author gives a bit of depth to Bucephalus' backstory, and gives Jack and Annie a real emotional connection with the horse.
December 4, 2014
Nice book. My 6-yr-old daughter was not so sure at the beginning but as the story progressed, her interest grew and now she is a fan of the 'magic tree house' series. Jack and Annie learn the secret to greatness as they travel through time to meet Alexander. Read the rest with your kid to figure out what it is!
September 21, 2025
A lesson in humility vs pride and Alexxander the Great. Also, a wonderful black stallion.
August 9, 2020
this book was very good i loved it how they have Alexander the great sadly i feel a sleep at the end but this book was still good i wish that when Annie talked to the teacher that the teacher asked how they know it plus i wish they speak the language that they are at like in a country.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 4, 2020
This was one of my favorites in this children's series!
July 1, 2020
How can you go wrong if you have a magic tree house and Camelot’s Merlin is your mentor and friend! I was impressed with my first read of the series. (Since this is Mary Pope Osborne’s #49 in the series, I must not be the only one.)
Using the ‘Ring of Truth’, Merlin tasks Jack and Annie with seeking the secret of greatness. Along the way, the readers (whom I’m guessing are typically ages 9 – 12) go back in time to meet the Macedonians, Aristotle and Alexander the Great (when he was age 12 and before he was ‘great’). The book teaches history and science while being fun to read. It even addresses female equality (since girls weren’t allowed to do some things in ancient times). Oh, did I mention that there’s a horse? … What kid doesn’t like horses!
The book emphasizes kindness and humility. Again, I am gladdened that I can discuss this book – and feel very good about it – with children.
Using the ‘Ring of Truth’, Merlin tasks Jack and Annie with seeking the secret of greatness. Along the way, the readers (whom I’m guessing are typically ages 9 – 12) go back in time to meet the Macedonians, Aristotle and Alexander the Great (when he was age 12 and before he was ‘great’). The book teaches history and science while being fun to read. It even addresses female equality (since girls weren’t allowed to do some things in ancient times). Oh, did I mention that there’s a horse? … What kid doesn’t like horses!
The book emphasizes kindness and humility. Again, I am gladdened that I can discuss this book – and feel very good about it – with children.
January 19, 2016
Jack and his little sister Annie are two regular kids from Frog Creek, Pennsylvania... until they discover a mysterious tree house full of all sorts of books. From that point on their lives will never be the same again! They soon go on amazing adventures (plus children are learning bits of history and most don't realize it) as they travel through time with the help of the magic tree house. The chapters are short with pictures every few pages, making these books perfect for the beginning reader.
May 30, 2014
This book is about a prince who is only 12 years old and he is really strong and can run fast and he loves a horse but he is mean. The two kids made him be better and since he really wanted one of the horses tamed and the two kids tamed it for him. They wished to be great horse tamers and this bottle made it happen as they made a wish and opened the cork and did the magic words.
November 8, 2016
I liked it.
The reason I chose five stars, was because I liked the idea of the book. I like that It was about horses, because they are my favorite animal. It is a good book for probably ages 8 and up. Praise for the book: magic tree house #49 stallion by starlight
The reason I chose five stars, was because I liked the idea of the book. I like that It was about horses, because they are my favorite animal. It is a good book for probably ages 8 and up. Praise for the book: magic tree house #49 stallion by starlight
August 5, 2018
My daughter and I continue this series. She especially like this one, because there was a Stallion and she likes horses. Plus, it teaches a lesson that to actually be great, you shouldn't brag about it or rub it in other people's faces. (All those comments came from her).
June 18, 2015
It was a great spectacular book that gave a picture in my mind.
1000000000000 stars because it was so cool and it had a lot of adjectives .It is the 3rd best book I've read.
1000000000000 stars because it was so cool and it had a lot of adjectives .It is the 3rd best book I've read.
January 6, 2017
I can learn a lot from it
August 17, 2020
In the magic treehouse series, not only in Merlin Missions, Jack and Annie found a magic treehouse. They soon discovered that in the magic treehouse there were lots of books and when they point to a picture in the book and make a wish to go there the magic treehouse just magically transports them there! They soon learned that the treehouse belongs to Morgan Le Fay from Camelot. Jack and Annie have helped Morgan with a humongous amount of missions in all places and time periods with the help of the magic treehouse. However in Merlin Missions it is not however Morgan that sends them on these missions. It is Merlin, a fantastic magician. During Merlin Missions, Jack and Annie make two friends named Teddy and Kathleen. They soon completed four missions that showed they could properly handle magic. On those missions, they were given a book of ten magic rhymes to use on four missions. Each rhyme can only be used once. Since they succeeded in those four missions, they were given the Wand of Dianthus. A magic wand that could create magic. Soon Merlin was not well, and not cheerful at all. Jack and Annie found four secrets of happiness for him, and now he is happy again. However the biggest thing that cheered him up was a little penguin named Penny Jack and Annie had gotten from their last mission to find the last secret of happiness for Merlin. That mission had taken place in Antarctica. Then, after those missions, they helped a girl named Augusta, Mozart, Louis Armstrong, and Charles Dickens. After that, they helped save Penny from a spell Teddy accidentally casted on him by finding four special objects. Today Jack and Annie can’t wait to figure out what Merlin has in store for them…
One day Jack and Annie decided to visit the magic treehouse. They realized it was back! Merlin has another mission for them! However, they didn’t bump into Teddy and Kathleen standing in the treehouse, before them, was the great magician, Merlin! Merlin had never come to visit them all by himself before. Merlin said their mission today was going to be to find a secret of greatness from Alexander the Great. He handed them a potion, a ring, and a research book. When you smell the potion you can have whatever talent you want for one hour. The ring helps them find out if they found a secret of greatness. They soon figured out their mission was going to take place in Ancient Macedonia. So, they made a wish to go there and in a few seconds the magic treehouse brought them there, the place their mission was going to take place. Since their mission was to find a secret of greatness from Alexander, they set off to find Alexander. They also made sure not to draw too much attention to themselves. Especially the warriors. They were ruled by Alexander’s father, a very ferocious king. They tried not to talk to too many people. They only asked a boy where the king lived. The boys scowled at them though. Not friendly at all. They watched some people make swords. They glared at them. They quickly ran away. They hid at a spot where a teacher was teaching a class. He said some stuff that was wrong. Annie couldn’t resist. She raised her hand and said the earth is not in the centre of the universe. The other boys were angry at Annie but the teacher, they soon realized, was Aristotle! Aristotle became very interested in Jack and Annie. He thought they were very smart and big thinkers. They talked for a while and then he agreed to take Jack and Annie to the king and Alexander! There! Mission complete! They would go to the castle then hang out with Alexander then learn a secret from him! Easy! However, soon they discovered that Alexander is not great at all! He is very mean, he thinks he’s perfect and unique, and he is always bragging! There is no way they could learn a secret from a person that is always mean and bragging! What will Jack and Annie do this time to learn a secret of greatness from someone that is mean and brags?
One day Jack and Annie decided to visit the magic treehouse. They realized it was back! Merlin has another mission for them! However, they didn’t bump into Teddy and Kathleen standing in the treehouse, before them, was the great magician, Merlin! Merlin had never come to visit them all by himself before. Merlin said their mission today was going to be to find a secret of greatness from Alexander the Great. He handed them a potion, a ring, and a research book. When you smell the potion you can have whatever talent you want for one hour. The ring helps them find out if they found a secret of greatness. They soon figured out their mission was going to take place in Ancient Macedonia. So, they made a wish to go there and in a few seconds the magic treehouse brought them there, the place their mission was going to take place. Since their mission was to find a secret of greatness from Alexander, they set off to find Alexander. They also made sure not to draw too much attention to themselves. Especially the warriors. They were ruled by Alexander’s father, a very ferocious king. They tried not to talk to too many people. They only asked a boy where the king lived. The boys scowled at them though. Not friendly at all. They watched some people make swords. They glared at them. They quickly ran away. They hid at a spot where a teacher was teaching a class. He said some stuff that was wrong. Annie couldn’t resist. She raised her hand and said the earth is not in the centre of the universe. The other boys were angry at Annie but the teacher, they soon realized, was Aristotle! Aristotle became very interested in Jack and Annie. He thought they were very smart and big thinkers. They talked for a while and then he agreed to take Jack and Annie to the king and Alexander! There! Mission complete! They would go to the castle then hang out with Alexander then learn a secret from him! Easy! However, soon they discovered that Alexander is not great at all! He is very mean, he thinks he’s perfect and unique, and he is always bragging! There is no way they could learn a secret from a person that is always mean and bragging! What will Jack and Annie do this time to learn a secret of greatness from someone that is mean and brags?
December 23, 2025
Stallion by Starlight is an engaging and educational adventure that blends history, magic, and an important life lesson.
The story begins with the familiar setup of the Magic Tree House and its main characters, Jack and Annie. While they are on the porch preparing for another adventure, Penny appears and leads them back to the tree house, where they meet Merlin. He gives them a new mission along with magical items that will help guide them. This opening feels comforting and familiar, especially for longtime fans of the series.
Jack and Annie soon find themselves in ancient Greece. As they explore, Annie is eager to talk to people, while Jack focuses on taking notes. Their different personalities lead to trouble when Jack writes in front of blacksmiths and Annie points out that it might look suspicious. They are chased and end up blending in with a group of students. When the teacher shares incorrect information, Annie can’t stay quiet and speaks up, only to discover that the teacher is Aristotle. This moment is both humorous and educational, introducing young readers to a famous historical figure in an accessible way.
Aristotle becomes interested in Jack and Annie and brings them to the palace, where they meet a young Alexander the Great, who is only twelve years old. Jack and Annie share what they have learned, and Alexander asks Jack to write about him. Jack’s honest notes unintentionally hurt Alexander’s feelings, leading to a tense moment and a competitive race between them. This conflict highlights Alexander’s pride and desire to prove himself.
The heart of the story centers on Bucephalus, a powerful horse no one can ride. When the horse breaks free, Jack and Annie believe Alexander deserves another chance. With the help of Merlin’s mist, they are able to communicate with Bucephalus and understand him. By riding the horse and showing that he can trust humans, they make it possible for others (especially Alexander) to ride him as well.
With Jack and Annie’s guidance, Alexander learns how to approach Bucephalus with patience and respect, and he finally succeeds. Alexander’s gratitude and growth make for a satisfying conclusion, reinforcing the book’s central lesson: true leadership requires humility.
Overall, Stallion by Starlight is a thoughtful and enjoyable installment in the Magic Tree House series. It introduces historical figures in a kid-friendly way, balances adventure with meaningful lessons, and emphasizes the importance of humility, understanding, and teamwork.
The story begins with the familiar setup of the Magic Tree House and its main characters, Jack and Annie. While they are on the porch preparing for another adventure, Penny appears and leads them back to the tree house, where they meet Merlin. He gives them a new mission along with magical items that will help guide them. This opening feels comforting and familiar, especially for longtime fans of the series.
Jack and Annie soon find themselves in ancient Greece. As they explore, Annie is eager to talk to people, while Jack focuses on taking notes. Their different personalities lead to trouble when Jack writes in front of blacksmiths and Annie points out that it might look suspicious. They are chased and end up blending in with a group of students. When the teacher shares incorrect information, Annie can’t stay quiet and speaks up, only to discover that the teacher is Aristotle. This moment is both humorous and educational, introducing young readers to a famous historical figure in an accessible way.
Aristotle becomes interested in Jack and Annie and brings them to the palace, where they meet a young Alexander the Great, who is only twelve years old. Jack and Annie share what they have learned, and Alexander asks Jack to write about him. Jack’s honest notes unintentionally hurt Alexander’s feelings, leading to a tense moment and a competitive race between them. This conflict highlights Alexander’s pride and desire to prove himself.
The heart of the story centers on Bucephalus, a powerful horse no one can ride. When the horse breaks free, Jack and Annie believe Alexander deserves another chance. With the help of Merlin’s mist, they are able to communicate with Bucephalus and understand him. By riding the horse and showing that he can trust humans, they make it possible for others (especially Alexander) to ride him as well.
With Jack and Annie’s guidance, Alexander learns how to approach Bucephalus with patience and respect, and he finally succeeds. Alexander’s gratitude and growth make for a satisfying conclusion, reinforcing the book’s central lesson: true leadership requires humility.
Overall, Stallion by Starlight is a thoughtful and enjoyable installment in the Magic Tree House series. It introduces historical figures in a kid-friendly way, balances adventure with meaningful lessons, and emphasizes the importance of humility, understanding, and teamwork.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 29, 2018
I've read many of the magic treehouse series, first with my son when they first came out until he outgrew them and then again (and on) with my daughter 16 yrs later. They're really good at holding kids' attentions as read-alouds and giving kids a bit of world history as Jack & Annie travel thru time. The later ones have the 2 finding answers to questions such as: what is the secret of greatness. This ups the value of the books as they are learning character without really realizing it.
This book gets a 3 because it's a bit sketchy about history. All you're really told is that Alexander the Great had a father named Phillip, lived and ruled in Macedonia and had a horse named Bucephalus. The kids renamed the horse 'because it was so hard to say' , so you really don't remember the horse's name at all. Was Alexander really a pompous vain know-it-all as a child or was that part Osborne's addition so the kids could tell him about humility?
I liked others of her tree house series better.
Even tho my kids have outgrown these, sometimes i take out the newest ones from the library just to keep up with the series. Took this camping with me as a bedtime relaxer.
This book gets a 3 because it's a bit sketchy about history. All you're really told is that Alexander the Great had a father named Phillip, lived and ruled in Macedonia and had a horse named Bucephalus. The kids renamed the horse 'because it was so hard to say' , so you really don't remember the horse's name at all. Was Alexander really a pompous vain know-it-all as a child or was that part Osborne's addition so the kids could tell him about humility?
I liked others of her tree house series better.
Even tho my kids have outgrown these, sometimes i take out the newest ones from the library just to keep up with the series. Took this camping with me as a bedtime relaxer.
July 16, 2021
This starts the quartet of adventures in which Jack and Annie must discover four secrets of greatness from people considered great by the world. In this one, they go to Macedonia and meet the 12 year old Alexander The Great and learn humility is one of the secrets. On these missions, they are given the ring of truth, which will glow when they find the secret, and mist gathered on Avalon at first light on the first day of the new moon, which will grant them any one wish for a great ability for one hour. This time, they wish to be great horse trainers. The Fact Tracker is Horse Heroes: A Nonfiction Companion to Magic Tree House #49: Stallion by Starlight
November 6, 2017
Stallion by Starlight by Mary Pope Osborne an incredible fantasy book!It is fun to read fantasy books because they can take you to a place to escape the real world.What I mean by this is if you're stressed or sad you can read a fantasy book to cheer you up because they can have a lot of mystical creatures(etc).For example, Jack and Annie travel back in time to meet Alexander the Great.I think it would be cool to travel back in time to any historical period!This book is similar to other fantasy books because it contains something that can't happen in real life,time traveling.I wish I could time travel.If I had to recommend this book to someone it would be to kids in elementary because Jack and Annie are to lovable characters that I have enjoyed throughout my childhood.
March 23, 2021
These books are terrible. I cringe every time the kids pick one of these to read. They are boring, pointless, and don't teach a thing.
This teaches nothing of Aristotle, Alexander the Great, or the Greek Empire. One of the most important empires in history, the one that united the ancient world and paved the way for the Romans.
These stories are so dumb. Even the final lesson doesn't make sense. The kids learn that Humility is a key to greatness, but that he doesn't have to show humility to anyone. Hidden humility isn't humility at all.
Whatever, the kids get to pick their own books, and they like the pictures of Jack and Annie.
This teaches nothing of Aristotle, Alexander the Great, or the Greek Empire. One of the most important empires in history, the one that united the ancient world and paved the way for the Romans.
These stories are so dumb. Even the final lesson doesn't make sense. The kids learn that Humility is a key to greatness, but that he doesn't have to show humility to anyone. Hidden humility isn't humility at all.
Whatever, the kids get to pick their own books, and they like the pictures of Jack and Annie.
November 9, 2018
This was a real treat to re-visit memory lane with Jack and Annie. I was able to get re-acquainted with Merlin and they joked about their many adventures together, the ghost town! meeting Hercules! saving Camelot! This series is a close second only to the Boxcar Children but it was nice to know that The Magic Tree House has aged well! Annie was the first feminist of my childhood (honestly you could write an essay about that and use this book!)
DISCLAIMER: My Goodreads goal is 100!!! So yes I occasionally sacrifice quality for quantity. SUE ME.
DISCLAIMER: My Goodreads goal is 100!!! So yes I occasionally sacrifice quality for quantity. SUE ME.
July 19, 2020
My 2nd grader is working on a summer reading challenge from the local library. One of the tasks was to read a book about a horse. So she chose this one from our home library collection. We've been reading a chapter at a time, some nights, and just finished today. I've always loved these books, and my daughter particularly enjoyed this one. She says she wants to read it again!
In this story, Annie and Jack go back to Macedonia, to help Alexander the Great truly become -- well, great!
In this story, Annie and Jack go back to Macedonia, to help Alexander the Great truly become -- well, great!
November 8, 2018
All Magic Tree House books are based in the past. After Jack and Annie discover a wonderful Magic Tree House in the first book, they learned about Morgan Le Fay, Teddy, and Kathleen. Although this book is fiction, it is based on history. I learned a lot about Greece, and Alexander the Great. I also enjoyed the fictional part of the story. Want to know why it's called Stallion By Starlight and want to know why there is a knight on the front cover? Read on and find out!
August 23, 2025
This book had a surprising amount of depth to it. The relationships Jack and Annie develop with other characters in the story bring out feelings and behaviors we don’t typically see in the siblings. All of the characters learn the benefit of humility as they accept mistakes and learn from them, as they recognize their own wrong behavior and try to become better. And highlighting the bond between humans and animals adds perfectly to the drive for them all to be better versions of themselves.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 2, 2021
This book was requested by one of my fourth graders and I was happy to oblige as I grew up reading these books. I love the consistency of the stories and the positive messages they teach children. (This lesson being humility). I also love that these books introduce kiddos to words that they may not already know, helping to expand their vocabulary. It was a quick read, but my students enjoyed it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 29, 2022
Bucephalus has always been one of my favorite historical equine figures, and I was charmed and transported by this reimagining of his story. The descriptions of gentle horse training and rides through the countryside show that the author really did her research, and reading this book sparked some of my own best memories of riding horses.
February 27, 2023
This was my youngest's (7yr) first Magic Treehouse book (read in German) and she rated t 4.5. I never read this series as a child, but I know that getting into several series around that age is what got me really hooked on reading and made it fun and enjoyable. Tomorrow we're going to the library for her to pick out the next one!
January 24, 2025
(4☆ Would recommend)
I started this series after reading the original Magic Treehouse series. I like how this series includes not just Morgan, but Merlin, Teddy, & Kathleen, too. I like how Jack & Annie get to participate in these books a little more than the original series by using magical items. I also like how these books are longer. It is more story to enjoy. I really enjoyed this book. Would recommend.
I started this series after reading the original Magic Treehouse series. I like how this series includes not just Morgan, but Merlin, Teddy, & Kathleen, too. I like how Jack & Annie get to participate in these books a little more than the original series by using magical items. I also like how these books are longer. It is more story to enjoy. I really enjoyed this book. Would recommend.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews