Magic Tree House #30 is titled "Haunted Castle on Hallows Eve" and is written by Mary Pope Osborne. In this book, the main characters, Jack and Annie, embark on another magical adventure to a haunted castle in the middle of the night on Halloween. The story begins with the siblings finding a ghostly knight, named Sir Geoffrey, who is in need of their help. He tells them that his true love, Lady Bloom, is trapped in the castle by the evil Black Knight. Jack and Annie agree to help and are transported by the magic tree house to the Haunted Castle. Inside the castle, they encounter various spooky creatures and obstacles.
The modern witch is unapologetic, empowering and in touch with her self- spirituality. Powerful women (though all genders and sexualities are welcome to be witches) have been deemed as deviant and dangerous throughout history, giving the term witch negative connotations and robbing these women of their power and voices. When these women were feared, the public lashed back by setting these women up for trial (literally) and reducing them to nothing more than a servant, whore, mother, or fantasy. countless women were accused of witchcraft. These witch trials were tragic events which were fueled by fear and misinformation. Women who were outspoken, strong-willed, or powerful were targeted and either silenced or killed. Put simply, people were afraid of the unknown and needed someone/something to blame.
The internet and social media are helping to raise awareness, we are seeing witches for what they really are strong, powerful people who don t succumb to societal norms. Estimates of the number of adherents ranged dramatically, with the number of Wiccans in the United States believed to be between 100,000 and more than 1.
Inside the castle, they encounter various spooky creatures and obstacles. They must solve riddles, find hidden objects, and navigate through secret passageways to rescue Lady Bloom. Throughout their journey, they learn about the history and legends of the castle, including tales of brave knights and cursed treasures.
What Does It Mean to Be a Modern Witch?
Witchcraft is undergoing a transformation and destigmatization before our eyes. Crystals, tarot cards, and other mystical practices/items are being integrated more and more into the mainstream and paving way for individuals to claim their identities and spiritualities. Urban Outfitters is demonstrating a deep interest in crystals and crystal healing. Popular media sites from Nylon to Vogue, frequently publish articles about witches and even witch fashion. Etsy, Tumblr and Instagram are flooded with images of the modern witch, alters and “witch aesthetics.”
All of these mainstream avenues are allowing witchcraft to come out of the dark and spooky and highlight witchcraft as a symbolic avenue for feminism and women’s empowerment.
The appeal of the modern witch and the aura of the mystique in 2017 could be correlated and stem from the need for a change in power and energy. We see things have been patriarchal and filled with masculine energy for too long. The internet and social media are helping to raise awareness, we are seeing witches for what they really are: strong, powerful people who don’t succumb to societal norms.
The modern witch is unapologetic, empowering and in touch with her self- spirituality. Powerful women (though all genders and sexualities are welcome to be witches) have been deemed as deviant and dangerous throughout history, giving the term witch negative connotations and robbing these women of their power and voices. When these women were feared, the public lashed back by setting these women up for trial (literally) and reducing them to nothing more than a servant, whore, mother, or fantasy. countless women were accused of witchcraft. These witch trials were tragic events which were fueled by fear and misinformation. Women who were outspoken, strong-willed, or powerful were targeted and either silenced or killed. Put simply, people were afraid of the unknown and needed someone/something to blame.
Misinformation and lack of understanding can create space for a culture of fear and exclusion. With Halloween being upon us and a whole lot of magic in the air, we wanted to take a look into witchcraft in the modern day, what exactly it means to be a witch, and how someone might go about dabbling in the mystical.
2016 and 2017 have been hard years for a number of us, particularly women, and an article, The Love Witch and Witchcraft’s Appeal in the Era of Trump sums up the current draw to witchcraft beautifully. We are longing for voices, power, inclusion, and love. Countless women are finding these things with the realms of the mystical, and this could not be more important right now.
Witchcraft has also become resolutely tied to larger historical narratives on the punishment of rebellious women, standing side-by-side with those who were diagnosed with hysteria and locked up in psychiatric institutions merely for disobeying their husbands or fathers.
–Independent
It seems that witchcraft isn’t just trendy or current, it is necessary and entirely pivotal in today’s society. The sense of community that a coven provides is something unique to other religions. It’s open to all walks of life, which can be alluring to women who feel unempowered and queer or trans people who are not traditionally welcomed into other religions.
As Jack and Annie work together and overcome their fears, they gradually unravel the mystery surrounding the Haunted Castle. With the help of their magic items, they eventually confront the Black Knight and free Lady Bloom, restoring peace to the castle. "Haunted Castle on Hallows Eve" is an engaging and suspenseful adventure that combines mystery, history, and Halloween elements. It captures the imagination of young readers and teaches valuable life lessons about bravery, friendship, and perseverance. This book is a great addition to the Magic Tree House series and is sure to entertain both children and adults alike..
Reviews for "Magic Treehouse 30: A Journey to the Wild West"
- John - 1 star - I was really disappointed with "Magic Treehouse 30". The plot was weak and the characters seemed one-dimensional. The writing style was also lacking, with simplistic language and a lack of depth in the descriptions. Overall, I found it to be a boring and unengaging read.
- Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Magic Treehouse 30" after enjoying the previous books in the series, but I was let down. The story felt rushed and disconnected, with events happening without any real explanation or development. The dialogue was also overly simplistic and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged. I wouldn't recommend this book to others.
- Emily - 2 stars - I've been a fan of the "Magic Treehouse" series for a long time, but "Magic Treehouse 30" didn't live up to my expectations. The plot felt predictable and lacked any real excitement or tension. The characters also didn't have as much depth as in previous books, making it hard to connect with them. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and unsatisfied with this installment.