The Magic Tree House Research Guides Series in Order

About the Magic Tree House Research Guides series

Series Premise

The Research Guides are nonfiction companions that expand on the time-travel adventures in the main Magic Tree House books. Each guide pairs with a specific fiction title (or sometimes a Merlin Mission), providing factual details about the historical period, culture, people, animals, science, or events Jack and Annie experience in their story. Written in an engaging, conversational style, the books explain complex topics in simple language accessible to children, often using Jack and Annie as “guides” who narrate or ask questions to make the information feel like part of their adventure. The premise is educational and supportive: after reading the fictional adventure (e.g., visiting dinosaurs, knights, mummies, or the American Revolution), young readers can turn to the Fact Tracker for real facts, photos, diagrams, and explanations that bring the story to life. The guides cover a wide range of subjects—dinosaurs, knights and castles, mummies and pyramids, pirates, ninjas and samurai, rain forests, saber-tooths and the Ice Age, space, dolphins and sharks, Vikings, American Revolution, ancient Greece and the Olympics, ancient Rome and Pompeii, polar bears and the Arctic, pandas, wild West, baseball, World War II, dragons and mythical creatures, dogsledding and extreme sports, sharks and other predators, soccer, heroes for all times, horse heroes, and more—ensuring broad appeal across history, science, and culture.

Main Characters

The Research Guides are nonfiction, so they do not have fictional main characters like the chapter books. However, Jack and Annie (the main characters from the Magic Tree House fiction series) are frequently used as narrative guides or “hosts” in the text. They appear in illustrations, ask questions, make comments, and “explain” facts in a conversational way, making the nonfiction feel like an extension of their adventures. This creates a bridge between story and facts, helping children feel like they are learning alongside Jack and Annie.

Setting

The guides do not have a single fictional setting; instead, each book is a nonfiction exploration of the real historical, geographical, or scientific setting from its paired Magic Tree House adventure. Topics cover a wide range:
- Prehistoric eras (dinosaurs, saber-tooths, Ice Age)
- Ancient civilizations (Egypt, Greece, Rome, Pompeii, China, Maya)
- Historical periods (knights and castles, pirates, Vikings, American Revolution, Civil War, World War II)
- Natural world (rain forests, oceans, dolphins and sharks, polar bears, pandas)
- Cultural and modern topics (soccer, baseball, extreme sports, heroes for all times)

The “setting” is the real world—past and present—presented through maps, timelines, photos, illustrations, and diagrams. The guides feel like field guides or mini-encyclopedias, with a global scope that takes readers from ancient ruins to modern sports fields, from deep oceans to polar ice caps. The tone of the setting is exploratory and wondrous: history and science are presented as exciting places to visit through facts and visuals.

Tone & Themes

The tone is enthusiastic, accessible, and encouraging—nonfiction written in a friendly, storytelling voice that feels like Jack and Annie are sharing facts with their readers. The language is clear, simple, and engaging, with short sentences, bullet points, sidebars, and questions that invite curiosity (“Did you know…?” or “What do you think?”). The books are lively and fun, packed with “wow” moments, surprising facts, and colorful visuals to hold young attention. The tone is always positive and respectful: history is presented as exciting and full of brave people and amazing discoveries, without shying away from difficult topics (e.g., war, slavery, or natural disasters) but handling them age-appropriately with sensitivity. There is no condescension—facts are presented as discoveries to be excited about, and activities (quizzes, experiments, or “try this” ideas) encourage hands-on learning. The overall feeling is empowering and joyful: kids are treated as capable learners who can understand big ideas, and the guides inspire wonder, questions, and a desire to explore more.

Mary Pope Osborne’s Magic Tree House Research Guides (also known as Fact Trackers) are a brilliant, educational companion series that brings history, science, and culture to life for young readers in more than 40 engaging, visually rich nonfiction books. By pairing with the beloved Magic Tree House adventures, the guides turn fictional journeys into real learning experiences—offering facts, photos, timelines, maps, and fun activities that make dinosaurs, knights, mummies, pirates, space, and more feel exciting and accessible. Written in a friendly, enthusiastic voice and filled with Jack and Annie’s curiosity, the series inspires wonder, builds knowledge, and encourages kids to ask questions about the world. It’s a perfect blend of education and entertainment—proving that learning can be as thrilling as any adventure. As Jack and Annie “guide” readers through real facts behind their stories, the Research Guides remain a timeless resource that sparks lifelong curiosity and a love of discovery—one fascinating topic at a time.