A Ghost Tale for Christmas Time by Mary Pope Osborne

Osborne, Mary Pope. A Ghost Tale for Christmas Time, illustrated by Sal Murdoca. 113 pgs. Random House, 2010. $12.99. Content-G. Jack and Annie are on a Merlin Mission in Magic Tree House #44. They need to help Charles Dickens get past a writer’s block. They have a magic violin to help them and a book about Victorian times. Both are dressed as boys and they have money in their pockets. They take a hackney coach to Dickens’ house, but don’t get to see him because he isn’t seeing anyone. Annie has the idea to change clothes with some chimney sweeps as a way to enter the house. As soon as they see Dickens, he leaves. They are accused of stealing by the vagrant who stole their money. Dickens saves them from arrest and tells them about his childhood. Jack plays the magic violin and Annie makes up a song that makes Dickens’ see three ghosts, similar to the ones in A Christmas Carol. Details about Victorian life and the dichotomy between the haves and the have-nots are littered throughout the story. The numerous illustrations help tell the story. Fans of the series will eagerly clamor for another tale of two children. EL – ESSENTIAL. Samantha, Public Librarian.