#3 in The Magic Tree House Series
Midnight on the Moon
What’s inside...
In the eighth book of the Magic Tree House series, Jack and Annie are taken on another adventure by the magic tree house. This time, they find themselves on the Moon where they have a thrilling encounter with aliens and a spacecraft. With a little help from a mouse, they navigate the Moon's landscape and eventually find the fourth special thing they need to free Morgan from her spell.
Character compass
Discussion points
What would you do if you were able to visit the moon like Jack and Annie?
How do you think the moon environment is different from Earth?
Why do you think the moon is an important place to explore?
What did Jack and Annie learn during their adventure on the moon?
How did the characters work together to solve problems? Can you think of a time when you had to work with someone to solve a problem?
Tip: Role play these questions
While discussing the book, show interest in your child's ideas and thoughts. This helps in building their confidence in expressing themselves.
Connect the story to real-life space exploration to spark curiosity about science and technology.
Encourage your child to imagine and describe what their own moon adventure would look like. This enhances creativity and problem-solving skills.
Discuss the teamwork between Jack and Annie to highlight the importance of cooperation and collaboration in achieving goals.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Curiosity and Exploration
Explanation: In 'Midnight on the Moon,' the characters embark on a journey to the moon, which demonstrates their eagerness to learn and explore new environments.
Real-World Application: This lesson can be applied in a child’s life by encouraging them to explore new subjects, ask questions, and engage in discovering new interests or areas within their community or nature.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: The story involves the characters facing challenges on the moon, which they must solve to proceed with their mission, illustrating critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Real-World Application: Children can apply problem-solving skills by tackling everyday challenges or puzzles with patience and creative thinking, helping them to develop resilience and analytical skills.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: Throughout the book, cooperation among the characters is crucial for overcoming obstacles and achieving their goal, showing how teamwork leads to success.
Real-World Application: This lesson is vital in teaching children the importance of working with others, whether in school projects, sports, or family activities, to achieve common goals and build lasting relationships.
Example Lesson: Appreciation of Science
Explanation: The moon setting in the book introduces basic scientific concepts and the wonders of space, sparking an interest in science and astronomy.
Real-World Application: Encourage children to learn more about science through books, documentaries, or science kits, fostering a lifelong interest in understanding how the world works and possibly pursuing a career in science.
Example Lesson: Bravery
Explanation: Characters show courage as they venture into the unknown realms of the moon, teaching children the value of facing fears.
Real-World Application: Children learn that bravery is not the absence of fear but the ability to move forward in spite of it. This can help them face new or intimidating situations, such as trying out for a team or making a new friend.