Rhinos at Recess

Magic Tree House #37

by Mary Pope Osborne, A.G. Ford (Illustrator)

The #1 bestselling Magic Tree House series is ready to whisk you away across the world with Jack and Annie--this time to the African savanna!

Jack and Annie are on the playground at recess when they feel the magic tree house calling them. They sneak away and are whisked off on an adventure in South Africa, where a majestic rhino needs saving! There are a swooping helicopter, strict park rangers, and--most terrifying of all--poachers. How do you hide one of the largest land mammals in the flat terrain of the African savanna? Jack and Annie are going to need a little bit of magic for this mission!

Did you know that there's a Magic Tree House book for every kid?
Magic Tree Perfect for readers who are just beginning chapter books
Merlin More challenging adventures for the experienced reader
Fact Nonfiction companions to your favorite Magic Tree House adventures

If you're looking for Merlin Mission #37: Dragon of the Red Dawn , it was renumbered as Merlin Mission #9 when the series was rebranded in 2017.

Genres: Fantasy, Childrens, Animals, Chapter Books, Adventure, Audiobook, Juvenile

96 pages, Hardcover

First published January 3, 2023

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

[Jenny Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Continues the theme of the last several books with animals, conservation and more development between Jack and Annie and about school as well. I kinda miss the four interconnected mini series/missions, but these are still fun!

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[Aneesa]

Last night we finished this second-to-last book in the series. Now I am using all the tricks in my bag to get 7yo to read the last book on her own. So far so good, although I think the only reason she's reading right now is because she tricked us into keeping her home from school. She is not sick. And I'm scared to make a peep lest she look up from the book.

[Mystic DreamClouds · Rating 4 out of 5]

While Jack and Annie are traveling back home during recess to pick up something, they hear the Magic Tree House calling them. Once there, they find a rhyme left behind by Morgan le Fay noting their task in their next adventure to South Africa.

Jack and Annie made a choice to go to the tree house instead of going home to pick up a folder with Annie's presentation materials. I liked how Jack let Annie decide that and in the end did help her with a presentation idea she could use. I like cute brother-sister relationships like this.

The story is all too commonly structured similar to others in this series. However, what did change is the characters' personalities. On this adventure the siblings meet two Rangers and they are surprised and concerned about meeting two children unattended. They also don't seem convinced about Jack and Annie's story which is quite different from earlier installments in this series. I felt this made it much more realistic.

Jack and Annie are pretty much the same with no growth, except that their personalities are much more evident in this story. They are growing kids who are still learning and experiencing the world, so I hope it slightly changes into growth the more they experience.

The story itself is quite interesting. I liked the idea of introducing poachers, prehistoric ancestors, facts about rhinos all with a touch of magic. I also enjoyed how it's not an information dump but facts interwoven into the story based on the characters' thoughts or the situation. Speedy was a cute and helpful addition to our little adventure.

Overall, this was a heartwarming story. I liked the representation of Jack and Annie's brother-sister relationship, especially Jack's caring nature for Annie. I liked Annie's intelligence, interest and empathy towards animals and the overall representation of reserves, their hardships and their beauty.

Read more reviews @ Mystic's Review Shelf

[Becky B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jack and Annie are running home at recess to grab something for Annie's presentation later when the treehouse beckons them on an adventure. It takes them to a game reserve in Africa where Jack and Annie help protect a mother and baby rhino from poachers with some magical help.

I like that this title is trying to make kids aware of the serious situation poachers present to rhinos. I felt like the way it was presented fell a little flat for me. Maybe it's because I'm an adult who has read adult titles on the subject so I know how deadly and serious poachers can get. I appreciate that Mary Pope Osborne didn't want to traumatize young readers, but I don't think poachers would be so easily scared away and would like have tried to capture or kill the giant ancient rhino that appeared. This was just a 2 for me, but I'll bump it up to a 3 for the good intent.

Notes on content: Poachers threaten the rhino mom and baby, and Jack and Annie know it is serious but there is no shooting or anything. Some adults may want to know that the plot involves a lot of evolutionary theory about rhino ancestors.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this, the thirty-seven title in the popular series, Jack and Annie time travel to the African savannah after Annie is distracted by an oxpecker. They meet two reserve rangers who are trying to find and protect a pregnant black rhino, a species that is critically endangered. The youngsters are the ones who spot the rhino and her baby when the rangers leave to try to thwart some poachers in a helicopter. While they're gone, the poachers arrive, and Jack and Annie follow the instructions on the mysterious message left for them back at the magic tree house in Pennsylvania. Doing so saves the day, and something much older than the children or modern rhinos steps in to avert disaster. As always with the books in this series, the action and adventure move quickly, and readers learn some interesting facts about places and animals while also being entertained by the story and the detailed artwork. While the ending is a bit over the top, fans of the series will probably not be bothered by its unlikelihood.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jack and Annie are swept away to a game preserve in Africa, but this time they haven't traveled back in time. They are tasked with a riddle from Morgan again, but they have no clue what they are supposed to do. While there, the kids bump into two reserve rangers who are looking for a missing rhino who is about to give birth. But as the presence of poachers threaten the mama rhino's safety, the kids join in the mission to protect her too. Will they be able to save her in time?

This book does a great job of bringing the plight of the rhinos being on the verge of extinction to young readers. As facts are presented about the situation of the rhinos, evolutionary theory about the rhino is presumed and presented as well.

[merr · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn’t my typical read or my usual level of reading. I never really read the series as a kid and was told to give it a try. So reading some of the series here and there, especially as fillers between bigger and heavier books. So this was a nice, cute read. The books and series really are so good and so fun from start to finish! Plus they have cool little facts and illustrations throughout. Very worth a read!

Jack and Annie are back, one day during recess, they escape through the Tree House to Africa. They learn that they are at an animal sanctuary and they have to help protect the endangered rhino and her baby. You follow along as they deal with wildlife, poachers, and a wild adventure from start to finish. It’s a fun and cool read!

[Scottsdale Public Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

**TAB Reviewer**
Travel to Africa and meet the endangered rhinoceros with Jack and Annie. The book combines an exciting adventure with important lessons about wildlife conservation. The vivid descriptions and engaging storyline make it a delightful read. Children interested in animals and conservation will find this book both entertaining and informative.
~Teen Volunteer Adhyyan R.

Find a Copy at Scottsdale Public Library

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The only reason I gave this story three stars was because of the time travelling: Jack and Annie actually stay in the modern times and only go to Africa.
I'm so used to them going back in time that when I read they stayed in the 21st century, I was surprised.
This story primarily deals with poachers trying to hunt black Rhinos.
My favorite part was the rhyme they had to figure out: it had a surprise twist in it.
In the end it was a good story.

[Cherish Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4☆ Would recommend)
I learned about this series from my 6-year-old son. He loves these books. I liked how the books aren't super long, so emergent readers & younger kids can enjoy them. I liked how the personalities of Jack & Annie are so different. I really enjoyed how the story encompasses books & learning. I liked how the book started where the last one ended. I really enjoyed this book. I'm excited to read the rest of the series. Would recommend.

[Nicole Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

  The plight of the rhino is more well known to adults but how to you address poaching to seven-year-olds? Well, Jack and Annie are here to help. I wasn't sure how they would stop the poachers but the siblings do in their usual magical ways. A great continuation to a great series aimed at getting kids introduced in non-fiction subjects so they can explore more on their own.

[Karine · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️ this beautiful addition to the Magic Tree House Series is a win. I like so much about this story, how long words have the pronunciation beside it, all the facts about endangered animals (Rhinos) and I also like how Annie likes to take care of all animals (like me). Great story and can’t wait for the next one ...

[Wade Huggins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack and Annie continue in the classic Magic Treehouse adventure series. In this installment Jack and Annie are on the African savannah and they must save a rhino. Jack and Annie must outrun the rhino or be trampled and still no time has passed in the Frog Creek neighborhood and Jack and Annie save the day. Recommended for ages 7-10 by SEPALibrary association.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great excuse to geek out over rhinos in a game preserve, with bonus Paleolithic giant photo-rhino. And I liked how the consequences of treehouse or science project were faced and accepted, and how the brother came up with the back up plan.

Also how it all made sense although I haven’t read one of these in decades.

[Ciera Legue · Rating 5 out of 5]

so glad this book was published and available at my public library when i am currently reading the entire series, learning about rhinos was cool and it was such a great book. hope more books will come out in the series.

[Eliza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sup, I loved the book

My review is ,it was great. I like all the books, but this one was really good.
I really like how it subtlety got the message across fantabulous are going extinct,and we need to do everything ewe can to save them.

[Mamiko · Rating 2 out of 5]

I used to love Magic Tree House, especially when the book dealt with historical events. I can see why the book has moved onto animals (especially the endangered animals), but maybe because I'm not as interested in animals as I am in history, I no longer find these books that interesting.

[Sasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read aloud to the kids. We always enjoy these books.

[Charles Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

71%

Save the species, Don't hunt down animals without a good cause

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story. Set in present time.

[Shankar B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked when they defeated the poachers.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING are you kidding me?? I love magical realism.

[Danny Mcalister · Rating 5 out of 5]

the best magic tree house since dinsours before dark

[Lee C · Rating 4 out of 5]

They save two rhinos.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

if u like rhinos they need to be saved they have been around for 30 million years but they can go extinct in 10 years u should tell everyone so they know and uh do something about that

[PottWab Regional Library]

SM

[Alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing better than ending a bad day by decompressing with a quick adventure via treehouse.

[Di♡Tia · Rating 4 out of 5]

_ ( 4.9 ⭐

[Eliana · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Magic Tree House takes Jack and Annie to rescue a baby and mommy rhino. I liked the book.

[Isabel Sasine · Rating 3 out of 5]

i think its cool that the rhinos great great ancestors look like a huge giraffe rhino, but i dont know if thats true.