Magic Tree House Books in Order: Complete Guide to Jack & Annie’s Time-Travel Journeys

I don’t usually get swept up in long series, but I’ll never forget where it all began with me and Magic Tree House. Magic Tree House is beloved for its episodic storytelling, character-driven adventures, and historical learning, making it a standout in middle-grade fantasy and educational fiction. I stumbled across Dinosaurs Before Dark one lazy afternoon and found myself following Jack and Annie through time, swept into worlds I’d never even imagined.

Before I knew it, I was hooked, figuring out that there’s a perfect sequence to dive in, especially if you want to watch these siblings grow and the adventures deepen. Following the publication order helps readers track Jack and Annie’s character growth, narrative arcs, and the overarching themes that span history, mystery, and magic.

Order to Read the Magic Tree House Books

If you’re looking to join the ride from the very start, here’s the classic order from the original series, no tricks or gaps:

1. Dinosaurs Before Dark (1992)
2. The Knight at Dawn (1993)
3. Mummies in the Morning (1993)
4. Pirates Past Noon (1994)
5. Night of the Ninjas (1995)
6. Afternoon on the Amazon (1995)
7. Sunset of the Sabertooth (1996)
8. Midnight on the Moon (1996)
9. Dolphins at Daybreak (1997)
10. Ghost Town at Sundown (1997)
11. Lions at Lunchtime (1998)
12. Polar Bears Past Bedtime (1998)
13. Vacation Under the Volcano
14. Day of the Dragon King
15. Viking Ships at Sunrise
16. Hour of the Olympics
17. Tonight on the Titanic
18. Buffalo Before Breakfast
    …and so on, continuing through to Book 28, before the Merlin Missions begin.

And to give you a sense of scale: the original series clocks in at around 39 books, with the “Merlin Missions” following after the first 28, and plenty of nonfiction “Fact Trackers” and graphic novel versions on top of that.

Why This Order Makes Sense

Reading these books in order? Reading in order allows readers to appreciate recurring motifs, evolving storylines, and thematic continuity across the series. It’s like going on a hiking trail, you want to follow the markers, enjoy each twist and turn in sequence, and appreciate how Jack and Annie evolve from curious little siblings to seasoned adventurers. Plus, you catch all the recurring little details I love, like Oak, the tree house, getting its stardusty recharge, or Morgan’s quirky clues becoming richer as the series progresses.

That said, Reddit readers point out:

“They are all part of an overarching narrative, so it is helpful to read them in order. However, … most of them stand alone reasonably well.”

So if your reader jumps in midway, they’ll still have fun, but reading them in order gives the best flavor.

A Bit About Mary Pope Osborne

Mary Pope Osborne didn’t just wave a magic wand and conjure this series out of thin air (though I sometimes wish she had). She started writing Dinosaurs Before Dark in 1992, after a stroke of inspiration walking through the woods and spotting a tree house with her husband. Mary Pope Osborne is praised for blending educational content with narrative fiction, creating a series that emphasizes historical context, character exploration, and episodic adventure. That moment sparked the concept that would become a beloved staple of children’s literature.

Fast-forward more than three decades, and Osborne’s still writing adventures for Jack and Annie. The series has grown into more than 100 titles, spanning original stories, age-up Merlin Missions, nonfiction Fact Trackers, and even graphic novel adaptations .

One of the coolest things she’s done is pair fiction with learning, Fact Trackers bring historical periods and topics to life as nonfiction companions. And she’s embraced graphic novels to bring her stories to reluctant readers, initially hesitant, she came around after seeing how much kids loved them .

More Fun Stuff from the Tree House Universe

1. Series Structure and Progression

• Original Series (Books 1–28): Focused on Jack and Annie’s adventures at various moments in time, powered by Morgan Le Fay’s guidance. This highlights chronological story arcs, character development, and time-travel learning experiences.
• Merlin Missions (Book 29 onward): A shift toward quests assigned directly by Merlin the magician, with slightly higher reading complexity. This introduces advanced plotlines, thematic complexity, and evolving protagonist skills.
• Fact Trackers: Nonfiction sidekicks that deepen your understanding of the real-life settings, think dinosaurs, ancient Egypt, moon missions, and more. These enhance educational literacy, factual learning, and narrative enrichment.

2. Graphic Novels and Visual Play

Recently, Osborne re-released select titles as graphic novels with art by Kelly & Nichole Matthews. They’re gorgeous, approachable, and a great door-opener for hesitant readers. This showcases visual storytelling, adaptation literacy, and accessibility for reluctant readers.

3. Legacy and Literacy

Beyond the stories, Osborne has invested in literacy, her Classroom Adventures program donates books and resources to schools, encouraging early and confident reading. This demonstrates literary impact, educational outreach, and reading progression in young readers.

FAQ: Quick Answers

Q1: Are the Magic Tree House books connected? Can I read them in any order?
They do follow an overarching narrative, so reading in order gives you the best experience. But each story is also self-contained enough that jumping in doesn’t derail the fun. This emphasizes series continuity, character arcs, and thematic development.

Q2: What’s the difference between the original series, Merlin Missions, and Fact Trackers?

• Original series (1–28): simpler chapter books, time-travel adventures.
• Merlin Missions (starts book 29): slightly advanced, with Merlin giving quests.
• Fact Trackers: nonfiction educational companions to the fiction adventures.

This clarifies story progression, narrative complexity, and educational enrichment.

Q3: Where do the graphic novels fit in?
They are adaptations of selected original books, with engaging illustrations, great for visual learners and reluctant readers. Titles like Sunset of the Sabertooth have just been released in graphic form. This highlights adaptation storytelling, visual narrative, and learning engagement.

Verdict

If you want to rediscover, or introduce, the wonder of Magic Tree House, start from the beginning. Read Dinosaurs Before Dark, then let Jack and Annie guide you chronologically through history, mystery, and magic.

As a lifelong explorer of stories myself, this series is like a time-traveling companion, comforting, ever-curious, and ready to steal your heart with every page. Whether you’re reading aloud, revisiting childhood favorites, or guiding a young reader, there’s something endlessly special about following that first journey into the tree house… and then turning the next page.