Magic Tree House Book 10 is an exciting adventure story written by Mary Pope Osborne. The book is part of the Magic Tree House series, which follows the adventures of siblings Jack and Annie as they travel through time and space. In Book 10, titled "Ghost Town at Sundown," Jack and Annie find themselves in the Wild West. They land in a ghost town called Tombstone, Arizona, in the late 1800s. As they explore the town, they quickly realize that it is not as deserted as they originally thought. They encounter mysterious figures and witness eerie events that make them question the authenticity of the town's ghostly reputation.
The hat was a visible link between Jews and magic. During the Middle Ages and Renaissance, Jews were thought to possess magical powers. For instance, reports circulated around Europe claiming that Jews concocted poisons out of Christian hearts, spiders, frogs, and human flesh. There was even a persistent claim that Jews used Christian blood for magical and cathartic purposes. From these myths arose a fear around Jews and their faith. Christians feared Jews would disappear from view and then cause them harm (e.g., collect blood, etc.), so one reason Jews were forced to wear Judenhat was to keep tabs on them. In turn, because Jews were often affiliated with dark magic, the Judenhat became a symbol of the supernatural. These connections often led Jews and witches to be subjected to similar court proceedings and forms of persecution during the Inquisition and beyond. Thus, the Judenhat became interwoven with cultural perceptions of magic.
To be clear, I don t think dressing up as a witch for Halloween is laden with antisemitic intentions, but when I see a witch trick-or-treating this year, I ll be thinking about that hat and the history of persecution, prejudice, and antisemitism hidden under its pointy top. However, the only bit of standardization specified was the pointy top, so several types of Judenhat arose; for example, in Italy, there were according to scholar Flora Cassen at least five different forms of Judenhat that appeared contemporaneously.
They encounter mysterious figures and witness eerie events that make them question the authenticity of the town's ghostly reputation. During their time in Tombstone, Jack and Annie meet a young boy named Fred, who becomes their guide and helps them navigate through the unfamiliar territory. With Fred's help, they learn about the famous gunfight at the O.
The Witch Hat
The witch’s hat: Black, large-rimmed, with a pointed top. It’s a necessary part of every witching wardrobe. Just ask Elphaba or McGonagall. But where did that hat come from? Theories about the hat’s origin vary. Some scholars cite the mummified remains of two sisters from the 3rd century BCE in Subeshi, China as the earliest evidence of the hats (the sisters were found with pointed hats on their heads). Others cite the Puritan perception of the Quakers in eighteenth century America: The Puritans saw the Quakers as suspicious magic practitioners, and while the Quakers didn’t wear pointy hats, they did wear black ones with wide brims. Still other scholars cite an antisemitic origin. As early as the Greek Empire, hats were symbols of Jewish oppression. During the days of the Maccabean revolt (167-160 BCE), when the Hannukah story was unfolding, king Antiochus IV Epiphanes forced young Jewish men to wear a broad-brimmed hat. By imposing the hat rule on the Jewish people, Antiochus denigrated them, visibly displaying their subjugation for all to see.
The use of the pointed hat to distinguish Jews from non-Jews can be traced back to the early medieval era. The first depiction of a Jew in a Judenhut (Jewish pointed hat) –– found in the Second Gospel Book of Bishop Bernward of Hildesheim (ca. 1015) –– would have been seen as an elegant garment choice, not as a stigmatizing symbol. The hat was reminiscent of the hats worn by the three magi, and in early eleventh century European culture, these hats symbolized a connection to European Jews’ Levantine heritage. This positive perception soured, though. In 1096, the First Crusade set out to open a path to Muslim-ruled Jerusalem, massacring Jewish communities in Speyer, Mayence, and Worms along the way. The Crusade turned an admiration of orientalism into a disdain for it, so the hat –– originally a celebrated sign of the Jewish diaspora –– became a key element of anti-Jewish slander. For example, on the mid-twelfth century bronze doors of a Verona Cathedral, mobs of hatted Jews are seen violently capturing Jesus. A similar scene is found on a coin minted in Germany around the same time.
Jewish caricatures on the bronze doors of a Verona Cathedral (12th c.)Then, in 1215, the Holy Roman Empire’s Fourth Council of the Lateran required all Jews to wear a Judenhat to visually distinguish Jews from non-Jews. The hat became a label for Jews, akin to the badge Jews would later be required to wear in Nazi Germany. However, the only bit of standardization specified was the pointy top, so several types of Judenhat arose; for example, in Italy, there were –– according to scholar Flora Cassen –– at least five different forms of Judenhat that appeared contemporaneously. The hat grew beyond its Jewish affiliation. People engaging in “non-Christian activity” were forced to wear a pointed cap. For instance, in a 1421 Hungarian law, men convicted of sorcery were forced to wear “a pointed Jews’ hat.” The hat was donned upon fictional characters, too. For example, a 1545 fountain in Bern is topped with an ogre wearing a pointed hat while eating a baby, and in 1493, artist Hartmann Schedule sketched the magician Merlin (who was not Jewish) wearing a conical hat that looked nearly identical to Judenhat .
Orge fountain in Bern (c. 1545-46)The hat was a visible link between Jews and magic. During the Middle Ages and Renaissance, Jews were thought to possess magical powers. For instance, reports circulated around Europe claiming that Jews concocted poisons out of Christian hearts, spiders, frogs, and human flesh. There was even a persistent claim that Jews used Christian blood for magical and cathartic purposes. From these myths arose a fear around Jews and their faith. Christians feared Jews would disappear from view and then cause them harm (e.g., collect blood, etc.), so one reason Jews were forced to wear Judenhat was to keep tabs on them. In turn, because Jews were often affiliated with dark magic, the Judenhat became a symbol of the supernatural. These connections often led Jews and witches to be subjected to similar court proceedings and forms of persecution during the Inquisition and beyond. Thus, the Judenhat became interwoven with cultural perceptions of magic.
Austrian depiction of circumcision of Christ (c. 1340)However, some scholars call into question a direct connection between the Judenhat and the witch’s hat. Clothing historian Abby Cox notes how the black witch hat is of English origin, but in England, Jews were required to wear badges instead of hats (the hats were a required marker in continental Europe only). And, per Cox, the witch’s black hat didn’t become popular into the 1700s, more than 500 years after the antisemitic laws were passed. Thus, Cox argues, it’s unlikely the witch hat is a direct descendant of the Judenhat . But it’s hard for me not to give some attention to the antisemitic origin story, even if it’s not the hat’s likely origin. Antisemitism has always been present and problematic, but right now –– this week –– it’s flaring up. It’s in Kanye’s tweet. It’s in Trump’s social media post. It’s in Adidas’ delayed response to Kanye. It’s in the banners hanging above a freeway overpass in Los Angeles. Antisemitism isn’t new, nor is it a thing of the past. According to the ADL , antisemitic incidents were at an all-time high in 2021. Antisemitism is pervasive. It’s something we, as a society, must continue to call out and fight against. To be clear, I don’t think dressing up as a witch for Halloween is laden with antisemitic intentions, but when I see a witch trick-or-treating this year, I’ll be thinking about that hat and the history of persecution, prejudice, and antisemitism hidden under its pointy top. Share If you’re looking for ways to support the fight against antisemitism, you can donate to the Anti-Defamation League here .
Notes.
- This post is largely adapted from Naomi Lubrich’s article “The Wandering Hat: Iterations of the Medieval Jewish Pointed Cap,” published in Jewish History (December 2015).
- More on witches and Jews can be found in Yvonne Owens’ article “The Saturine History of Jews and Witches,” published in Preternature (vol 3, no 1, 2014). Also see Joshua Trachtenberg’s book The Devil and the Jews .
- The paragraph on Jews, potions, and blood is largely drawn from James Arieti’s article “Magical Thinking in Medieval Anti-Semitism: Usury and the Blood Libel” ( Mediterranean Studies , vol 24, no 2, 2016).
- For more on the origin of the witch’s hat, check out this InStylearticle , this Slatearticle , and this Mary Suearticle . Or even Abby Cox’s YouTube video on the subject.
- Hey Alma has a good piece on the current antisemitic events here .
The use of the pointed hat to distinguish Jews from non-Jews can be traced back to the early medieval era. The first depiction of a Jew in a Judenhut (Jewish pointed hat) –– found in the Second Gospel Book of Bishop Bernward of Hildesheim (ca. 1015) –– would have been seen as an elegant garment choice, not as a stigmatizing symbol. The hat was reminiscent of the hats worn by the three magi, and in early eleventh century European culture, these hats symbolized a connection to European Jews’ Levantine heritage. This positive perception soured, though. In 1096, the First Crusade set out to open a path to Muslim-ruled Jerusalem, massacring Jewish communities in Speyer, Mayence, and Worms along the way. The Crusade turned an admiration of orientalism into a disdain for it, so the hat –– originally a celebrated sign of the Jewish diaspora –– became a key element of anti-Jewish slander. For example, on the mid-twelfth century bronze doors of a Verona Cathedral, mobs of hatted Jews are seen violently capturing Jesus. A similar scene is found on a coin minted in Germany around the same time.
K. Corral and the notorious outlaws who roamed the Wild West. As Jack and Annie delve deeper into the history of Tombstone, they find themselves caught up in a suspenseful chain of events. They must solve a riddle and find a lost treasure in order to help break a curse that has haunted Fred's family for generations. Throughout the book, Osborne expertly weaves historical facts with a thrilling narrative, allowing readers to learn about the Wild West in an engaging and entertaining way. Her vivid descriptions bring the dusty streets of Tombstone to life, and the characters' interactions with historical figures make the story feel immersive. "Ghost Town at Sundown" is a gripping and educational read for children, which combines elements of mystery, history, and adventure seamlessly. It teaches valuable lessons about bravery, friendship, and the importance of standing up for what is right, even in the face of danger. Overall, Magic Tree House Book 10 is a captivating addition to the series and will surely leave young readers eager to learn more about the past..
Reviews for "Discover the power of knowledge in Magic Tree House book 10"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Magic Tree House Book 10". The story felt rushed and the characters lacked depth. I couldn't connect with any of the characters and found myself losing interest halfway through the book. The plot was predictable and lacked any real excitement or suspense. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and wouldn't recommend this book to others.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I found "Magic Tree House Book 10" to be quite boring and uneventful. The story dragged on and nothing significant seemed to happen. The dialogue between the characters was bland and lacked emotion. The whole book felt like a filler episode with no real purpose or impact on the overall series. I was disappointed with the lack of creativity and would not recommend this book to anyone looking for an engaging read.
3. Alex - 2 stars - "Magic Tree House Book 10" didn't live up to my expectations. The plot felt disjointed and the transitions between scenes were clumsy. The writing style was simple and lacked depth, making it difficult to stay engaged with the story. The characters felt one-dimensional and their actions seemed forced. Overall, I found this book to be underwhelming and wouldn't recommend it to others.
4. Emily - 1 star - I was extremely let down by "Magic Tree House Book 10". The story was repetitive and I felt like I had read the same plotline in previous books of the series. The book lacked originality and failed to bring anything new to the table. The pacing was slow and I found myself struggling to stay interested. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a fresh and captivating read.