Magical Map #2: Jungle Cruise

by Ridley Pearson

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Middle Grade

128 pages, Paperback

Published August 5, 2025

About the author

Ridley Pearson is the author of more than fifty novels, including the New York Times bestseller Killer Weekend; the Lou Boldt crime series; and many books for young readers, including the award-winning children's novels Peter and the Starcatchers, Peter and the Shadow Thieves, and Peter and the Secret of Rundoon, which he cowrote with Dave Barry. Pearson lives with his wife and two daughters, dividing their time between Missouri and Idaho.

Also writes Chris Klick mysteries as Wendell McCall.

Reviews

[Jaclyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanna like these but there is no plot to be found

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book! Such a fun story!

[Hidekisohma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decided I needed a quick and cute brain cleanser after all the dark, violent, and long books i've been reading so decided on the sequel to the magical map book i read a little while ago. and... Meh. it was fine.

In this one The Jungle Cruise ride breaks down and they use the magical map to fix it like they did the Pirates ride in the first one.

This one isn't as exciting, because, to be honest, they didn't really utilize much of the ride. There was a lot more they could have done with it, but instead they went for a very boring, very safe problem.

*minor spoilers*
instead of something fun like the poachers coming to life, they went with...monkeys for some reason?
Yeah, it's as lame as it sounds*

Once again the book is filled with Disney ride references and Disney patting itself on the back. I'm certain part of the paycheck that was cut to Ridley included the terms in his contract that he could only say amazing things about everything at Disney and not disparage it even slightly. So all the food was great, all the rides amazing, and no mentions of lines or anything negative.

The characterization is fine for what little pages the author had, even though they had some of those "we tell mom the truth but doesn't believe us" moments which can be very annoying.

Even though this was a stupidly fast read in which i got it done in like.. 45 minutes, it still felt like not a lot happened and things were resolved too quickly and too easily. I wish maybe there was an actual villain in this, or that the stakes were higher maybe? Although i'm sure to get that sweet sweet Disney paycheck Ridley had to tow a very thin line on what he was and wasn't allowed to say or do.

That being said, these are SO short, and SO inoffensive that i'll keep on reading them. Like, I seriously can get these done in 30-45 minutes so why NOT read these when i get them. Who knows? Haunted Mansion is next and maybe THAT will be way better.

Either way, 2.5/5 rounded up to a 3.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

First sentence: Uh-oh, trouble was brewing! Friday afternoon, the week follwoing spring break, kids at school were buzzing about the Jungle Cruise attraction at Disney's Magic Kingdom park having suddenly been close.

Premise/plot: Ridley Pearson's newest series is for young readers; it's an early chapter book. Gemma and Torin are brother and sister. Gemma discovers a mysterious, supernatural journal that is tied to...the Magic Kingdom. It has notes, drawings, maps, etc., for many of the rides and attractions. She doesn't know it when she starts reading it and making her own notes, however, so she is unaware of how her notes are effecting the attractions. In this second one, Gemma and Torin try to puzzle out WHY there are real animals--monkeys--causing a great deal of trouble on the Jungle Cruise attraction. Can they fix Jungle Cruise?

My thoughts: I liked this one less than the Pirates of the Caribbean. Though if you like mischievous monkeys this one might still be appealing. I like the idea of liking this series. But there's just not much substance.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book because it reminded me of the ride at the actual park. I liked how this book had parts linked to the Pirates of the Caribbean, which was the 1st in the series. At the same time though, I enjoyed the introduction to new characters even though they weren't around for a lot.

The reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because I think the author could have improved the problem a little bit more. There was not as much suspense in this story as there was in Pirates of the Caribbean book. But I did like how Gemma, after realizing that the monkeys she had drawn in the magical book were the problem, figured out how to solve the issue. I thought it was funny how Gemma and Torin lured the monkeys off the island.

I'm going to take a break from reading the series now. - TR

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gemma and Torin found a hand-drawn map of Disney World, and can use it to jump anywhere in the park. When weird things start happening on the island in the Jungle Cruise, they vow to help their mother figure it out. This is such a FUN premise, and I really wish they had given it to a better author.

[Lori Lim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great second book in the series. Not as adventurous as the first one, but there is mischief to be had. It does help if you like Disney and are familiar with the park and the rides. But still enjoyable if you do not. Early chapter book readers will enjoy this series.

[Howard Iske · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this was a cute book, it wasn’t nearly as interesting or exciting as the first one in the series. As a former castmember, I love the little bits of Walt Disney World references sprinkled throughout. However, it’s not enough to make this any better of a read.

[Kimberly Pierce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the first one. Just monkeys to get off an island?? Feel like it should have been more. Still fun to read and a super quick one at that. I will read the third for sure but definitely for the elementary age kids. But if it’s Disney and Ridley Pearson I have to read it.

[Cindy Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great addition to the Disney books by Ridley Pearson 📚

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun series, but I really wish it was fleshed out a bit more. It feels, at times, like important pieces are missing.

[Megan Tolson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute story about a Disney world ride!

[McKennah]

Just copy and paste my review from the last one.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a lover of anything WDW this was a cute, magical read.

[Arman Waggoner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always like a treasure map story w/ a mix of Magic Tree House and a little Disney magic to tie it all together.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun and different experience of an iconic ride!

[Pepper Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun, quick, fluffy read. I loved it, but it’s probably not the book for you if you’re looking for a book with a big adventure, deep plot, and a lot of substance. 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

[Jennifer Hartman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun adventure! I am loving this series for children or any disney fan!

[Isabel "Eli" McBride · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, short, about what you expect but entertaining while reading on the way to Disney

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute.