Monday, June 30, 2014

Soccer on Sunday (Magic Tree House #52) by Mary Pope Osborne, Book Review


By: Mary Pope Osbourne
Published by: Random House Kids
Released on: May 27th, 2014
Series: The Magic Tree House #52
Ages: 8 & up
Source: book from publisher to review
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Just in time for the 2014 Fifa World Cup, Magic Tree House #52: Soccer on Sunday will take Jack and Annie to a soccer field in Mexico where they must find the final secret of greatness for Merlin. On the field, they'll meet a young soccer player who dreams of one day playing in the World Cup just like his hero, the great Brazilian soccer player, PelĂ©!

Perfect for fans for soccer, The Magic Tree House series, and fans cheering on their favorite teams during this year's World Cup. Soccer on Sunday continues the exciting adventure of Jack and Annie. This time Merlin sends them on mission to find the final secret of greatness. Who better to find it from, then soccer great Pele!

One of the things that makes this such a great series, is the fact that children not only get to read a great adventure story, they also get to learn about historical people or places in the process. With Soccer on Sunday, Mary does a fabulous job at making the reader feel as though they've got along with on Jack and Annie's adventure to the 1970 World Cup games in Mexico. Through learning what it was like to have the games in Mexico during this time, the history of soccer, and finding out what it meant to the people there, this was one story that had me wishing I stuck to playing soccer as kid.

An added bonus to the story is the illustrations that are dotted through out the story, and the information Mary includes at the end of her story about some of the greatest soccer players of all times, including Pele, and some female players, as well as other male soccer stars. Fans will also love a visit from some of the series's present and past characters. As I mentioned before, this a book worthy of purchasing for fans of the series, as well as for soccer fans. It's the perfect read to pick up during this year's watching of the World Cup games.

This received 5 owlets in our home! Check out my review for The Magic Tree House fact tracker: Soccer, here.

I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves. ~ Anna Quindlen

Good children's literature appeals not only to
the child in the adult, but to the adult in the child.
~ Anonymous ~