The Magic Tree House Series
High Time for Heroes
What’s inside...
Jack and Annie are on a mission for Merlin the magician! This time, the magic tree house whisks them off to Thebes, Egypt, to find Florence Nightingale, a world-famous nurse. But when they find her, the Florence Nightingale they meet is not a famous nurse at all—she’s not even a regular nurse. Have they come to the right place? Or the right time?
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
6-10
Length
144 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What qualities do you think make someone a hero, like Florence Nightingale in the story?
How did Jack and Annie change throughout their adventure?
Why do you think helping others is an important theme in this book?
If you could have a magical tree house like Jack and Annie, where would you go and why?
How do you think bravery and kindness helped solve the problems in the story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think about the definition of a hero. Discuss different types of heroes in everyday life and compare them with the characters in the book.
Ask your child to relate personal experiences where they helped someone, linking it to the theme of the book.
Discuss the setting of the book—the Crimean War and how the historical context can influence the story.
Use the magical tree house as a creative prompt. Invite your child to imagine their own adventures and where they would go with such a tree house.
Point out moments in the book where characters show bravery and kindness, and discuss with your child how they can incorporate these qualities in their own life.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of courage
Explanation: In 'High Time for Heroes', the characters demonstrate bravery as they undertake challenging adventures. This is vividly depicted through their encounters with various obstacles that they overcome by staying courageous.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by facing their own fears and challenges with bravery, whether it's trying out for a school play, standing up to a bully, or dealing with a new situation.
Example Lesson: The value of helping others
Explanation: Throughout the book, the protagonists go out of their way to help others in need, showcasing selflessness and compassion.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children the importance of empathy and altruism. They can practice this in their daily lives by helping a friend, sharing with siblings, or volunteering in the community.
Example Lesson: The significance of perseverance
Explanation: The characters in the book often face difficult situations that seem unsolvable, yet they persist until they find a solution, illustrating the power of perseverance.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to not give up easily in their real-life tasks or when learning new skills, no matter how challenging they might seem initially.
Example Lesson: Learning from history
Explanation: The story integrates historical figures and events, providing children with educational content in an engaging manner.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to read more about history and understand the context of past events, which can also enhance their interest in subjects like history and geography at school.
Example Lesson: The importance of teamwork
Explanation: The characters often collaborate to solve problems and achieve goals, showing how teamwork can lead to success.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to work cooperatively with others in group projects, sports teams, or family activities, promoting better interpersonal skills and collective responsibility.