Die Feder der Macht

Magic Tree House "Merlin Missions" #19

by Mary Pope Osborne

Anne und Philipp trauen ihren Augen nicht: Sie sind mit dem magischen Baumhaus mitten im Garten des amerikanischen Präsidenten Abraham Lincoln gelandet! Von ihm sollen sie eine magische Feder erhalten, doch die Übergabe will einfach nicht klappen. Selbst der Zaubertrank scheint Anne und Philipp dieses Mal nicht zu helfen. Er führt sie nur zu einem Jungen namens Sam, und als der sich auch noch schwer verletzt, beginnt für die Geschwister ein Wettlauf mit der Zeit.

Komm mit auf die Reise im magischen Baumhaus! Rätselhafte Abenteuer in fremden Welten und längst vergangenen Zeiten erwarten dich auch in den anderen Bänden. Die beliebte Kinderbuch-Reihe von Bestsellerautorin Mary Pope Osborne! Die Geschwister Anne und Philipp reisen mit dem magischen Baumhaus durch die Zeit. Sie erleben spannende Abenteuer, entdecken ferne Länder und lernen viele berühmte Persönlichkeiten kennen.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Childrens, Chapter Books, Adventure, Middle Grade

111 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Mary 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.

Reviews

[Scottsdale Public Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Join Jack and Annie as they travel back to meet Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War. The book provides a thoughtful and engaging look at one of America's most beloved presidents. The mix of historical facts and adventure makes it both educational and entertaining. This is ideal for young history buffs and fans of the Magic Tree House series.

-Teen Volunteer Adhyyan R.

[Book2Dragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another lovely Magic Tree House book. Sent on a mission that requires meeting President Abraham Lincoln, Annie and her brother are in for some surprises and not a few detours. History is fun to learn this way.

[Kieran Devine]

Gotta do whatever it takes to hit that goal

[Jenny Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this adventure, Jack and Annie must give hope to President Abe Lincoln and receive a feather in return, as a piece of the spell to save Penny. They are given a potion that will give them one thing to help with their mission. They travel back in time once again with this, to meet young Abe, and then go back to when he was president. The fact tracker for this is Abraham Lincoln of course

[midnightfaerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

My 6 yr old is becoming a voracious reader and his teacher recommended this series so I picked up a few from the library. My son loves it. Magic and fun and adventure rolled into a chapter book that's easy to read, yet challenging enough that he's not bored. Many of these are educational as well, focusing on a particular point in history such as a president's reign, or a location, like Ireland in this one, which goes really well with his geography and history lessons. He's loving it, and already has said these are the books he wants to read for the challenge. Overall a great step into chapter books for the advanced reader.

[TheBookWorm🐛 🐛 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick and easy read. It was fun to read, and it also taught me some new things. I recently visited Abe Lincoln’s home, and I picked up this book and decided “why not?”. I used to read the magic tree house books for enjoyment and fun, now I just read them for information and for the a occasional quick and easy read. If you like small informational books, be my guest, if not, then there are probably better books out there.

[Esther Soberanis]

Text-to-Teaching Connection

Abe Lincoln at Last, is a blend of fantasy, adventure, and history. s I read this text I taught of the different way I can use this book in the classroom. I taught of a daily read-aloud of each chapter. After reading the chapter of the day, students will get in groups and discussed the main idea. After students finish reading the book I will have student engage in building a tree house out of pieces of wood.

[Kelsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Abe Lincoln At Last!" is a high quality illustrated chapter book that fits into the historical fiction genre (although it does have fantastical elements) written by Mary Pope Osborne. This recent installment of the wildly popular series focuses on the main characters Jack and Annie, who are continuing their quest to help an assistant of Merlin to unfreeze the sorcerer's beloved penguin Penny. Throughout this adventure, Jack and Annie find themselves in other time periods, dealing with magical obstacles, and meeting with historical figures of our nation. Throughout the course of the book, not only are you, as a reader, taken to other times in US History, you are also introduced to Abraham Lincoln and several members of his family on a personal level, learning about who they were as people before Lincoln became one of the greatest, most influential presidents in our history.
Lesson Ideas:
This book could be used in a lesson about comprehension signposts as it includes so many of the features included in the sign posts, Words of the Wiser, AHA Moments, Again and Again, etc. Not only could this story be an "I do" text for teachers of younger students, it could also be a great independent read for some older students to practice sign posts on their own!
Another lesson that this book could be used for is one involving President's Day, as President Lincoln is one President celebrated on this national holiday. This book would be a great way for students to learn about Abraham Lincoln as it gives details about his life not typically talked about in portrayals of his life; more of a 'before years'. The author, Mary Pope Osborne, creates a "Fact Tracker" companion book for each Magic Tree House book she writes, so students could act as fact checkers as they read through the book, providing research of their own in to check ideas they may have read about in the novel and present about Mr. Lincoln's life in a wax museum format, biography format, or narrative format!

This book is a wow for me because, as I have mentioned before, I LOVE United States history and Presidents and Abraham Lincoln is one of my very favorite. This book gave a lot of humanizing details and anecdotes about who President Lincoln was as a person before he was the man we celebrate today, which was an interesting and refreshing experience for me! Additionally I had never read the popular Magic Tree House series, and was pleasantly surprised at the engaging story line and the fantastic events that occurred throughout the book, held up by facts and events that actually occurred!

NOTE: The Magic Tree House Books have been placed on several BANNED BOOKS lists as they 'contain magic' and 'encourage dishonesty in children'.

[Adeline]

Jack and Annie are excited to meet president Abraham Lincoln in there 47th journey through the magic tree house.They meet some helpful kids, Tad and Wille, and travel to the countryside and meet a boy named Sam. Jack and Annie are determined to find Abraham Lincoln, But Sam gets hurt and needs there help. Will Jack and Annie ever find Abraham Lincoln?

[Alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this one better than anything else I have read in the series. The kids still don't tell their parents the truth but they do learn a couple good lessons. I wish I could recommend this book to my kids.

[maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars for the nostalgia

[zora · Rating 4 out of 5]

took one star off because the chapter titles are in comic sans

[erin]

read abt 80% in mandarin but did not make it through before my due date lol

[Wayne Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack and Annie need to find four items to help save Merlin’s pet baby penguin named Penny. They already have an emerald rose from Mogul India and a flower from Alpine Switzerland. Now, they must go back in time to Washington, DC, in 1861, meet President Abraham Lincoln, and collect a feather to help break the spell on Penny. When they are frustrated in their attempts to see Lincoln, they take a magic potion which whisks them away from the White House to the wilderness where they meet a boy who calls himself “Sam.” Will they make it back to Washington? Will they find Lincoln? And will they get the feather that they need?
We have read all the Magic
Tree House books. Even though our boys are long past the targeted age, my wife still buys them because she enjoys reading them. This book gives young readers a slightly different look at Lincoln from that which is normally found in books aimed at this age group as they learn about President Lincoln’s family, the start of the Civil War, and life in a log cabin. Of course, the Civil War aspect is present, but the story focuses on Lincoln himself, rather than events. The series is a good introduction to historical fiction for children, with the fictional characters of Jack and Annie in a setting that involves real historical facts. They are long enough to challenge but short and simple enough that kids don’t get easily distracted. While I would not personally call them the absolute best books available, we have found them useful.

[Keri · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Magic Tree House Series is a wonderful series for emergent readers. It contains researched facts, suspenseful adventures, and moral messages. The books can spark an interest in a subject for many new readers. Often, non-fiction fact books accompany the fiction books. A teacher or parent can rest assured the books will be appropriate for the age group in terms of theme. A brother, Jack, and a sister, Annie, travel to different time periods via a Magic Tree House. They have an adventure, usually involving some peril. Often they must help a historical figure or retrieve historically significant documents. Jack is a reserved and bookish boy and Annie is an impulsive and kind girl.

In this particular book, the children journey back to visit Abe Lincoln in the White House. The book is appropriate for K-5 readers. I would have an excellent place in the classroom for IDR and DEAR time or small group discussion. I will tie-in nicely with the Illinois standards to study the state in third and fourth grade.

There is a fact-filled companion book to this fiction book.

[Jess Weaver · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book follows Jack and Annie as they go back in time to visit Abraham Lincoln while he was the president. The Magic Tree House series is a great transition series for kids. I really enjoyed this book, I was entertained by it. It was a very quick read, however, for kids this is a big step for them as they have a few chapters in it. I chose this book because we were suppose to bring in a book to class that we read as kids. I chose this book, not because this one was my all time favorite but because it was memorable. I would add this book to my book shelf because they are super fun and educational at the same time. They are good transitions books, where there are some photos included, big size print, educational, and lastly they are entertaining. I know that a lot of kids will add this to their own libraries. I know that kids love this series and it still is very popular with the younger generation. I would recommend these books and add them to my library because kids like these books but even young adult can benefit from these books.

[Valerie Barnhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book from the Magic Tree House series that focuses on the life of Abraham Lincoln. This book is suggested as an independent reading selection. Reading level is 3-5, but interest level is 2-4.

I selected this book for Natalie because she shared that she is interested in famous people and would love to meet Abraham Lincoln. Her interest in history, adventure, and mystery are areas covered in this book. She included that she owns some of the Magic Tree House books, so I felt this book would be her level. This book may encourage Natalie to read other books in the series and expand her reading.

How would you like to go back in time to visit Abraham Lincoln? What would it be like to see him as a young boy growing up? What would it be like to visit the White House during his time as President? Join Annie and Jack as they travel back in time to get a special feather from Abraham Lincoln.

[Shelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mary Pope Osborne O how I love you so! In this Magic Tree House adventure Jack and Annie are 3/4 of the way done on their mission to help Teddy reverse a spell that turned Merlin the Magician's beloved penguin Penny to stone. Their clue this time is to "go back in time and be given a feather from a hero's hand, than use that same feather to give that hero hope." Confusing much? Yes! And of course you will have to read to find out how Jack and Annie solve that riddle. However I'll give you a hint, (since he is pictured on the front cover and in the title) our most awesome 16th president makes a major appearance. This series ALWAYS has that magical combination of educational and fun.

[blmagm · Rating 3 out of 5]

First Jack and Annie don't know that Tad and Willie, two boys they've met on the White House lawn, are President Lincoln's sons. Then they don't understand that "Sam," a boy they meet in the countryside, is really a young Abraham Lincoln. However, all comes out right in the end when Lincoln gives the time traveling pair a feather they need to complete their mission, and they in turn give him a written message of hope. Children will need to read the nonfiction companion rather than this to learn facts about Lincoln, but it does provide a glimpse into Lincoln's diligent and inquisitive nature as a boy and his devotion to his family and to his country as an adult.

[Sarah - All The Book Blog Names Are Taken]

Eleanor says: I liked when Annie and Jack gave Abraham Lincoln hope. They wrote a message on a piece of paper for him.

Momma says: I liked when Tad was running around and Jack couldn’t understand why this kid was just doing whatever he wanted at the White House. That is one of the things I value most in reading about Abraham Lincoln, that he loved his children very much and gave them free reign. He never let the pressure of living in the White House change them or his relationship with them.

[Mandy Morrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abe Lincoln At Last! is a great book for readers of all ages. In this Magic Treehouse book, Jack and Annie use the treehouse to go back in time and visit Abraham Lincoln at the White house. Along the way, they bump into a few hurdles and meet a few new friends. This book is fantastic and will keep you reading until the last page!

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great adventure with Jack, Annie and their magic tree house. This story brings the readers along to "meet" Abraham Lincoln. I like how there are a couple little mysteries such as who are Willie and Tad and later who is Sam?

These books are always a hit with young readers. They combine adventure with facts and a little bit of mystery to create a great story for all who read them.

[Carrie (123*) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book. First Magic Tree House book I read.

[Pumkin pie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so fun and interesting. Jack and Annie's adventure will make you laugh and cry. I also loved the interesting facts about Abe and his family. And when your done reading this, read the rest of the Magic Treehouse series! They're super fun!!

[Shaurya(aka Aryan) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack and Annie are awesome

[William · Rating 3 out of 5]

Abraham Lincoln is awesome. That is all.

[Scarlett Pierson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charlie loved it!!
Our first chapter book we finished!!!

[Assortedtrashprincess · Rating 2 out of 5]

Confusing and boring. Could have been very interested but kinda wasted Abe Lincoln.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

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. One adventure ago, they figured out that one of their dearest, cutest, animal friends have been turned accidentally to stone. Penny the penguin. To rescue Penny Jack and Annie have to find four items. An emerald and a flower that they already found, but the last two things they haven’t found yet. Today they are going to find the third thing that will help save Penny...

In this book, one mourning, Jack and Annie decided to visit the magic treehouse. When they climbed into the treehouse they noticed that Teddy and Kathleen have left them some stuff to help with their mission. Jack and Annie soon found out that Teddy and Kathleen have left them a potion, a research book, and a folded note. The research book was about Abraham Lincoln, one of the greatest presidents of United States. There mission was going to be about Abraham Lincoln. According to the note Teddy and Kathleen had left for them, they figured out that they needed President Lincoln to give them a feather and they would use that feather to bring Lincoln hope. They didn’t really understand the note at first. Whenever you take one sip of the potion Teddy and Kathleen left for Jack and Annie, you could wish for one thing to help you on the mission and as long as you trust the magic, that wish will come true. Soon, Jack and Annie decided to get going. Jack pointed at the White House on the book cover and wished to go there. The magic treehouse instantly appeared there after spinning. They had arrived where the White House was. They had arrived where their mission was taking place. Before they could climb down the rope ladder to begin their mission, two boys spotted them. The younger one was very nosy, noisy, and annoying. The older one was quite the opposite. He was pretty kind. Before Jack and Annie knew it, the boy was calling their treehouse ‘his’ treehouse when it wasn’t. The boy soon wanted to help with Jack and Annie’s mission. He said he would take them right to the president, Abraham Lincoln. Jack and Annie didn’t want his help but he ‘wanted’ to help. Soon they went into the whitehouse. Kind Willie was introducing to Annie some people around the White House. While Annie was being introduced to people by Willie, Tad secretly dragged Jack away and said he was going to take him to Abraham Lincoln. Jack didn’t want to go. At least not with annoying Tad. He wanted to go together with kind Willie and his sister Annie. It turns out Tad did take Jack to President Abraham Lincoln. He was in his bedroom. However, Jack and Tad didn’t want to be caught. They couldn’t just randomly stomp into a president’s bedroom. They quickly hid under the bed. Before long, Tad jumped out of the bed. President Abraham Lincoln was far from angry though. He was happy to see Tad! Tad was Abraham Lincoln’s son along with Willie! Soon Tad forgot about Jack. He was now stuck under the bed in the president’s bedroom! Their mission is not going very well. Does Annie even know Jack is missing? That Jack is stuck under the president’s bed? And they have a mission to complete! Jack and Annie are supposed to give the president hope about his country. If Jack gets found under the bed, it will just make the president angry and have more things to deal with! Plus, to get a feather from a president, you need to meet him. However, right now the president is very, very, very, very, busy. He’s got to deal with a lot. Even without a thousand of people scheduled to meet him, and another thousand trying to meet with him and Jack and Annie are one of them! How are they going to meet the president so he can give them a feather they can use to give him hope about his country? Will Jack even find a way to get out of the president’s bed?

[Mehrunissa Owens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historical Fiction: Magic Tree House: Abe Lincoln at Last!
Lexile level: 470L
Age Level: 7 - 10
Grade Level: 3 – 4

Summary:

Jack and Annie have a magic tree house that will take them anywhere in history. In their quest to find the third item, (they have already collected two of the needed items in past books) they sneak out of their house before school and make their way to the tree house. Teddy and Kathleen (their magical friends) have left them a bottle of magic potion, a book about Abraham Lincoln, and a riddle that says they must get a feather from Lincoln and give him the hope he needs to heal his land.
As they head back in time, they find themselves on the white house lawn and dressed in period clothing. Once there, they meet a little boy named, Tad, and his older brother, Willie. The boys tell Jack and Annie they can get them in to see President Lincoln. Jack and Annie will come to learn that Tad and Willie are the president’s sons.
Jack and Annie use the remainder of their magic potion to wish for a meeting alone with Lincoln, because despite their best efforts, Tad and Willie can’t get them past the security and to meet with President Lincoln.
This time, after drinking the potion, Jack and Annie find themselves in a forest and run into a boy who calls himself Sam. Sam says he can help them find Lincoln, but then Sam gets kicked in the head by his horse! Jack and Annie get him home and into bed, they then learn his mother is dead, his father is out of town, and his sister won’t be home until later. They try to help Sam by doing his chores, like chopping wood, milking the cow, fetching water, and discover just how hard that is! When Sam finds out that Annie and Jack love to write, and he gives them a feather pen and ink he made. However, before Annie and Jack can find out about Lincoln, they’re whisked back to 1861.
Back on the White House lawn, Annie and Jack see Lincoln walking alone, but he looks confused when he sees them. He says he remembers them from a day in his childhood when they helped him and then vanished right before his eyes. He had played a joke on them, saying his name was Sam. As Annie and Jack think back to the riddle, they assure Lincoln the Civil War will end well and bring freedom for everyone. They return home in the magic tree house with Lincoln’s feather pen.
This is a wonderful book to have in the classroom, it can be an individual reading book, a book for small group reading and a book for the entire class to read and discuss. Aside from the magical aspects of the book, students will get insight into life in historical times. They can talk about what period clothing might have looked like, chores that were done at the time, and why President Lincoln might have needed a little encouragement. The book is well written and uses age appropriate vocabulary, which makes it easy to read, thus keeping the reading frustration level low.
I would also use this book as a play, children would play lots of different parts, we could even create parts to add to the book. In this way, they would act out the history and learn about the time period as well.