Magic Tree House #8: Midnight on the Moon, written by Mary Pope Osborne, is another exciting addition to the popular children's book series. In this installment, the main characters, Jack and Annie, embark on a thrilling adventure to the moon. The story begins with Jack and Annie discovering a mysterious magical tree house filled with books. Each book takes them on a different adventure through time and space. This time, they find a book titled "Midnight on the Moon," which transports them to the lunar surface. Upon arrival, Jack and Annie quickly realize that they are on the moon during the time of the Apollo moon landing in 1969.
Upon arrival, Jack and Annie quickly realize that they are on the moon during the time of the Apollo moon landing in 1969. They witness Neil Armstrong taking his first steps on the moon and even get to explore the surface themselves. As they wander around, they stumble upon an incredible discovery - a moon base inhabited by aliens! Jack and Annie befriend an alien named Moonlight, who helps them understand the moon's mysteries.
The Score: Mapping the Music, Style, and Mandate of “Practical Magic”
Well, duh. But when I first saw Practical Magic at a grade eight sleepover, it scared the shit out of me. First, I grew up Catholic so I assumed witchcraft was devil worship (which is why I ratted out several classmates in grade seven for bringing a Wiccan book to school), and second, we all know that witches are powerful, and being a preteen isn’t always conducive to that feeling.
AdvertisementActually, being a human isn’t always conducive to that feeling, which is why it was important that at the tender age of bucket hat-ridden 13, Practical Magic punched me in the heart with a mandate that’s spanned decades: be yourself.
15 years later, and anyone paying attention to fashion now knows that mantra still stands. Currently, New York Fashion Week is all over the place, merging the worlds of theatre and style (Spike Jonze’s work for Opening Ceremony flipped the traditional runway method on its head with a stage production starring Jonah Hill), while Altuzarra took a page from the spell book of Practical Magic itself with long, flowing dresses in neutral, so-nineties-they-almost-seem-thrifted tones. At long last priority has been placed on personal style in lieu of “hot and/or not,” meaning the only real fashion “don’t” seems to be abiding by anyone’s rules but your own.
Enter: Practical Magic and its 98 motto: be who you are. Be—in the words of Gap this season—normal. (Even if “normal” for you means casting out the spirits of deceased men who abused your sister. And hey, if that’s your definition, please let’s be friends.)
But let’s start at the top. Let’s meet the woman responsible for the deaths of all men who dared love an Owens woman. Let’s meet the woman who dared be sexually active and unmarried during the 1600s which led her to being nearly hung by her lovers’ wives. Let’s meet the woman whom I guess delivered a baby on her own, since she was banished to an island with nothing but a nightgown.
AdvertisementMARIA
So first, we meet Maria abiding by two very important Practical Magic rules: 1) she is accompanied by Alan Silvestri’s score (no character is ever introduced without the score minus one but we will get to that, please stop nagging me), and 2) she’s wearing white. White—if worn by Sally, Gillian, or anyone struggling with their identity—represents good and the embracement of magic. Black, on the other hand, represents oppression and evil.
See? That shit is literal, I am telling you.
Anyway, after saving her own life, Maria is banished to an island and has a full-on breakdown (understandably), which effectively leads her to cursing her blood line: any man who dares love an Owens woman is doomed to die. Which leads us to our next color and/or cast of characters.
MAMA OWENS Color! Obviously, Mama Owens has embraced her very happy life, and why wouldn’t she: look at what’s going on behind her. But sadly, the curse takes over, her husband dies, and then she dies from a broken heart. HOT TIP: “Normalcy” and the embracement of one’s self is always indicated by bright colors or light tones, unless we’re talking about the aunts, and in that case, these bitches don’t give a fuck about your rules.
THE AUNTS If you don’t want to be Stockard Channing or Dianne Weist (whose characters names don’t matter because this is just who they are as people), you are incorrect. Also, they are the only exception to the colour rule because they’ve reached the upper echelons of freedom. They’ve embraced witchcraft, their familial legacy, and the power that magic brings, so they absolutely do not need to abide by a dress or color code enforced by you, me, or any costume designer. This explains why after appearing in all black, they can wear this:
Anyway, after saving her own life, Maria is banished to an island and has a full-on breakdown (understandably), which effectively leads her to cursing her blood line: any man who dares love an Owens woman is doomed to die. Which leads us to our next color and/or cast of characters.
They learn about the moon's gravity, the lack of air and water, and other fascinating lunar facts. Moonlight shares stories about his home planet, as well as his mission to study Earth. As Jack and Annie spend more time with Moonlight, they learn about the importance of friendship and teamwork. They also uncover the aliens' plan to create a moon garden, which inspires them to help. With the help of Moonlight and their extensive knowledge of plants, the trio works together to make the moon garden a reality. Through their adventures on the moon, Jack and Annie teach young readers about space exploration, astronomy, and the wonders of the universe. The book combines fantasy elements with real-life historical events, making it both educational and entertaining. Osborne's engaging storytelling keeps young readers captivated throughout the entire journey. "Midnight on the Moon" is a delightful installment in the Magic Tree House series, showcasing the power of imagination and the joy of discovery. Jack and Annie's lunar adventure offers young readers a unique perspective on the moon and its mysteries, igniting their curiosity about the world beyond Earth..
Reviews for "The Secrets of the Moon: Unveiling 'Magic Tree House #8"
1. Jane - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Magic Tree House 8". The story felt repetitive and predictable, lacking the excitement and creativity I had come to expect from the series. The characters seemed flat and the dialogue was cliché. Overall, I found it to be a dull and forgettable read, not worth the time invested.
2. Mike - 2.5 stars - As a fan of the "Magic Tree House" books, I was let down by the eighth installment. The plot felt disjointed and rushed, leaving me wanting for more depth and development. Additionally, I found the writing to be overly simplistic, making it difficult to fully engage with the story. Overall, I was left unsatisfied and hoping for a return to the quality of the earlier books in the series.
3. Sarah - 3 stars - "Magic Tree House 8" didn't quite live up to my expectations. While the previous books in the series had a sense of wonder and adventure, this one felt lacking in comparison. The overall storyline felt recycled and I didn't feel as invested in the outcome as I had in the past. Although it was an okay read, it didn't capture my attention like the earlier books, making it a disappointment for me.