Magic Tree House Fact Tracker

Ancient Rome and Pompeii

When Jack and Annie got back from their adventure in Magic Tree House #13: Vacation Under the Volcano, they had lots of questions. How did ancient Rome become an empire? Where did ancient Romans go for fun? And what happened to the Roman town of Pompeii? Find out the answers to these questions and more as Jack and Annie track the facts.

Jack and Annie go to Pompeii and experience the volcanic eruption that buried the city. Ancient Rome and Pompeii gives more information about the history of Rome and introduces many of the historical figures of the time, including Julius Caesar, Octavian, and Cleopatra. In addition, the book discusses some of the people who tried to fight the Romans. By reading Ancient Rome and Pompeii, readers will learn more about the politics and culture of the Romans and how Ancient Rome impacted our world.

This nonfiction story begins with the myth of Romulus and Remus and how Romulus founded Rome. While Vacation Under the Volcano only shows Pompeii, Ancient Rome, and Pompeii go into great detail about the Roman empire, the gladiators, the soldiers, and the construction of Rome. Curious readers will find The Magic Tree House Fact Tracker full of interesting facts that are new.

Ancient Rome and Pompeii explain how the Romans believed in many gods. It also explains that many of the Romans’ beliefs are now considered myths. Emperor Caligula, who was eventually killed by his guards, believed he was the god Jupiter. Rome’s history is violent, and the book discusses many of the political leaders who were killed or committed suicide. The language is kid-friendly, but the deaths may upset or confuse some readers.

Ancient Rome and Pompeii is packed with information that is easily digestible for young readers. Many tools help a young audience follow along. For example, each chapter is broken into small sections with historical information, and the illustrations break up the text into much smaller pieces. Pictures of Jack and Annie appear along the margins, giving readers more information and defining vocabulary words. The story also gives examples that will help readers understand concepts. For example, the Roman army had to march twenty miles carrying sixty pounds. The illustration shows Jack carrying a golden retriever with the caption: “Lugging sixty pounds around is like carrying a golden retriever on your back.”

The Magic Tree House Fact Tracker presents nonfiction information in a way that will engage young readers. The book is perfect for readers interested in research because the author includes the best way to research Rome and more resources such as books, videos, and museums. Filled with up-to-date information, photos, illustrations, and fun tidbits from Jack and Annie, the Magic Tree House Fact Trackers are the perfect way for kids to learn more about the topics they discovered in their favorite Magic Tree House adventures. Learn more about ancient history by reading Through Time: Pompeii by Richard Platt and The Curse of King Tut’s Mummy by Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld.

Sexual Content 

None

Violence 

The god Mars had two sons, Romulus and Remus. They built a city, and then “a fight broke out over who would be in charge of the city. Romulus killed Remus.”
The Romans went to the “Colosseum to see bloody sports—sports where people and animals died terrible deaths.”
Gladiators were prisoners and slaves. “Some were freemen who got paid for fighting. Gladiators usually fought to the death. But if a fearless fighter was wounded, the emperor could spare his life.” There is a picture of two gladiators with their weapons.
Centurions trained Roman soldiers. “The training was strict and brutal. Punishment included beatings and even death.”
A section describes the “Roman War Machines,” including catapults, ballistae, and flamethrowers. “Soldiers loaded [the ballista] with rocks or pointed metal bolts that shot out at about 115 miles an hour! Anything in their path was immediately destroyed.”
Carthage and Rome fought in the Punic Wars. “Years after Hannibal’s death, the Romans attacked Carthage and burned it to the ground.”
“Julius Caesar’s army began a siege on Avaricum, a walled town in Gaul . . . Roman soldiers clambered over the walls . . . Death and destruction rained down upon the Gauls.”
Julius Caesar ruled Rome. “He was such a strong leader that many feared he wanted to be crowned king. . . Several senators, including his friends Brutus and Cassius, planned to kill him. . . As Caesar sat down, the men grabbed him around the neck and began stabbing him. They stabbed him twenty-three times.”
The book lists many people who committed suicide, including Cleopatra and Mark Antony. Some say Cleopatra died because of a poisonous snake bite.
Queen Boudicca from Iceni refused to pay Roman taxes. “As punishment, the Romans tied Boudicca and her daughters to posts and beat them.” In retribution, Queen Boudicca went on a rampage “through the countryside. Thousands of people died.” When Queen Boudicca realized she would lose, she “drank poison rather than allow herself to be captured by her enemies.”
The Roman emperor Caligula “behaved very badly when he was emperor. He killed anyone he wanted to.” Eventually, “his own guards murdered him.”
Emperor Nero felt his mother was too powerful, “so he decided to poison her.” The poison did not work, and Nero tried to kill her several more times. “Finally, Nero ordered his soldiers to stab her to death. This time Nero succeeded!”
People hated Nero. “Knowing that he would lose his thrown, Nero committed suicide.”
A volcano destroyed Pompeii. “People were knocked down and lay where they fell.” The volcano’s explosion is described over two pages.

Drugs and Alcohol 

None

Language 

None

Supernatural

None

Spiritual Content 

The god Mars had two sons, Romulus and Remus, who were raised by a shepherd. Legend says Romulus founded Rome.
Since they worshiped many gods, the Romans built the Pantheon and dedicated it to all the gods.
Caligula “demanded that everyone bow down to his horse. Finally, Caligula built a temple for himself. He thought he was the god Jupiter.”
Every Roman street had shrines for their gods. The book lists the Roman gods, including Jupiter, Juno, Mars, Ceres, Neptune, Venus, Diana, Vesta, Mercury, and Vulcan.

Ghosts

When Jack and Annie got back from their adventure in Magic Tree House Merlin Mission #14: A Good Night for Ghosts, they had lots of questions. What are some of the most famous ghost stories? Why do people believe in ghosts? Do most cultures have ghost stories? What are ghost hunters? Readers discover the answers to these questions and more as Jack and Annie track the facts.

Included in the book are haunted places, different cultures’ beliefs in ghosts, and famous ghost stories. Each chapter is broken into small sections that give historical information. Almost every page has a picture or illustration. The book includes historical pictures of the people and places discussed in the text. Black and white illustrations, which are sometimes comical, show the ghosts that haunt famous places. On the side of the text, additional historical information and definitions are given. For example, “The name yurei comes from two words: yu, which means ‘dim,’ and rei, which means ‘soul.'”

At the end of the book, Jack and Annie give a list of things they would do “if we were ghosts” such as “walk through walls, glow like candles, never take a bath,” etc. The book also includes a list of natural events that could cause ghostly fears, as well as ways to research.

Each ghost story is told in a conversational tone that explains who the ghost is and how they haunt. Even though the book is all about ghosts, none of the information is told in a dramatic or scary way. The text never tries to prove or disprove the hauntings. Instead, the book keeps to the facts and lets the reader decide if they believe in ghosts or not. Even if a reader doesn’t believe in ghosts, the book gives plenty of historical information which is presented in an entertaining manner.

Whether you’re a history buff or just interested in the supernatural, Ghost presents nonfiction information in a way that will engage young readers. Readers will learn about ghosts that appear in New Orleans, the White House, Great Britain, and other famous sites. Ghost is packed full of historical information that is fun to read; it also gives information that connects to A Good Night for Ghosts, a Magic Tree House Book. Even though the content is appropriate for younger readers, they may need help with the advanced vocabulary. If you’re researching ghosts or just want a fun book to read, Ghost will allow you to explore the world of ghosts without any frightening surprises.

Sexual Content

None

Violence

In the mid-1800s, Joe Baldwin worked for the railroad. “Part of his job was to walk the tracks at night with a lantern to make sure the train had stopped at the right place. Joe’s head was cut off in an accident.”
According to one man, the ghost of Marie Laveau “hit him in the nose when he was in a drug store. The victim said that her ghost asked him who she was. When he said he did not know, she gave him a good, hard punch!”
In the 1800s, a sultan and his family were killed. “One dark and stormy night, intruders slipped in and murdered everyone. The murderers buried the sultan in a shallow grave underneath a tree in the courtyard. He is said to haunt the house where he died.”
President Abraham Lincoln and his wife went to the theater to watch a play. “A man crept up behind him and fired a bullet into his head. Lincoln died the following day.”
John McCullough haunts the National Theatre. “John was killed in a fight with another actor. His body was buried beneath the dirt floor in the cellar.”
King George III and others haunt Windsor castle. “King Charles I, whose head was cut off, shows up in the library and in one of the other houses on the grounds.”
The London Tower is haunted. “Whenever kings or queens suspected people of plotting against them, they put them in the tower. Some unlucky prisoners were hanged or had their heads chopped off.” Ann Boleyn was imprisoned in the tower. Henry VIII “ordered that her head be chopped off.”

Drugs and Alcohol

None

Language

None

Supernatural

Ghost is all about different ghost citings and haunted places. Below is a list of just a few examples.
The ancient Greeks and Romans “believed that ghosts were spirits of people who had not had a proper burial after they had died.”
In African, “children often hear stories about friendly ghosts who are the spirits of their ancestors.”
In India, people believe that “their bodies are haunted by ghosts.” They travel to see ghostbusters “who claim to be able to cure them of their problems.”
Marie Laveau lived during the 1800s. She practiced voodoo and “people said she could summon up spirits and even make magic potions. . . Legend has it that Marie’s ghost appears as either a cow or a big black dog that runs through the cemetery.”

Spiritual Content

None

Dog Heroes

When Jack and Annie got back from their adventure in Magic Tree House Merlin Mission #18: Dogs in the Dead of Night, they had lots of questions. How do St. Bernards help find avalanche survivors? Who are some of the most famous war dog heroes? What breeds make good service dogs? Find out the answers to these questions and more as Jack and Annie track the facts.

The book includes information on the evolution of dogs, how dogs help search and rescue people, and famous dog heroes. Each chapter is broken into small sections that end in an infographic that explains dog families, how service dogs help humans, and other dog-related topics. Almost every page has a picture or illustration. The book includes historical pictures of the dog and the people they have helped. Black and white illustrations also show the dogs in action. Jack’s and Annie’s pictures appear next to photos along with information about the picture.

Dog Heroes is packed full of information on how dogs help humans, starting with the first human and dog relationships. The story contains many examples of how dogs have helped saved people throughout history. While many of the dog stories are inspirational, readers will have a difficult time keeping track of all of the dogs mentioned in the book. However, if readers are looking for a topic to use for research, Dog Heroes would be an excellent starting point. The end of the book lists nonfiction books about dog heroes and explains how to research.

Dog Heroes will appeal to every dog lover and teach about famous dogs in history. The book interestingly presents historical information and gives information about the dogs in Dogs in the Dead of Night, a Magic Tree House book. Dog Heroes is packed full of historical information that is fun to read. Even though the content is appropriate for younger readers, they may need help with the advanced vocabulary. Dog Heroes would be an excellent book to use for researching dogs, but it also contains inspirational stories about specific dogs in history.

Sexual Content

None

Violence

Chapter 3 explains how dogs helped during 9/11. Omar was in the World Trade Center when a plane crashed into it. “Suddenly Omar heard a huge booming sound. Glass shattered, fires broke out, and the building began to crack and sway. Terrified people huddled in their offices. . . The ash-covered survivors looked like ghosts as they staggered down the sidewalk.”
Soldiers also need service dogs. “After Roland Paquette was injured in Afghanistan in 2004, he really needed help. He lost both legs due to an explosion.”
During World War II, Chip helped soldiers who were “pinned down and couldn’t move. . . Chip rushed directly to the spot where Italian gunners were firing. In an instant, Chip dragged one of the men out of his hiding place. Three other men followed with their hands up in the air.”

Drugs and Alcohol