Magic Tree House Books in Order

The Ultimate Magic Tree House Reading Path

For over three decades, Mary Pope Osborne’s Magic Tree House series has been a cornerstone of children's literature. Following the time-traveling adventures of siblings Jack and Annie from Frog Creek, Pennsylvania, the books seamlessly blend fantasy, history, and science. With over 60 fiction titles and dozens of nonfiction companions, deciding where to start can feel overwhelming.

The best and most practical starting point is the very first book, Dinosaurs Before Dark. The series is divided into distinct story arcs that build upon each other. In the beginning, Jack and Annie must solve mysteries for the librarian Morgan le Fay. Later, they take on quests for the wizard Merlin. Reading the books in publication order is highly recommended, as the characters' abilities, the magic rules of the treehouse, and long-running narrative arcs (such as gathering magical items or solving complex riddles) progress sequentially.

The 2017 Numbering Shake-Up Explained

If you are buying books or checking them out from the library, you might notice some confusing numbering. To celebrate the series' 25th anniversary in 2017, the publisher (Random House Children's Books) rebranded and reorganized the series to help parents and teachers find the right reading levels. Here is how the numbering split works:

• Magic Tree House (Classic): These are the shorter, simpler books designed for readers aged 6–9. The first 28 books kept their original numbering. However, instead of continuing to book #29, the Classic series jumped to new adventures starting with A Big Day for Baseball (which is officially Classic #29). This classic line has continued up to book #40, Sea Otter Sunrise (published in 2025).
• Merlin Missions: These are longer, more advanced fantasy adventures aimed at readers aged 8–12. Previously, these were numbered as books #29 through #55 in the main sequence. Under the new system, they were separated and renumbered as Merlin Missions #1 through #27. For example, Christmas in Camelot (originally #29) is now officially Merlin Missions #1.

If you find older library copies, they will use the legacy numbering system (1–55+), while newer copies will use the split branding. The stories are identical; only the numbers on the covers and spines have changed.

Should You Read in Chronological Historical Order?

Because Jack and Annie travel to different eras—from the Cretaceous period in book #1 to the American Civil War, ancient Rome, and even the future—it is theoretically possible to read the books chronologically by historical era. However, we strongly advise against this. The overarching plot is tied to the siblings' growth, their relationships with Morgan le Fay and Merlin, and specific mission cycles. Reading chronologically by history would ruin the narrative continuity and puzzle-solving progression that makes the series so satisfying.

Exploring Companion Fact Trackers and Spin-Offs

The Magic Tree House universe extends beyond the main fictional adventures:

• Fact Trackers (Nonfiction Companions): Originally called Research Guides, these companion books are co-authored by Mary Pope Osborne alongside her husband, Will Osborne, or her sister, Natalie Pope Boyce. They provide historical and scientific context to match the adventures Jack and Annie experience in the fiction books. They can be read alongside their corresponding fiction titles or completely on their own.
• Super Editions: These are longer, standalone adventures with higher stakes, starting with Danger in the Darkest Hour (set during World War II).
• Graphic Novels: Adapted by Jenny Laird and illustrated by Kelly Matthews and Nichole Matthews, these full-color adaptations bring the classic stories to a visual format.
• History's Heroes (New for 2027): A brand-new spin-off series, starting with The Greatest Fossil Finder (scheduled for January 5, 2027), where Jack and Annie recruit historical figures like Mary Anning to save the magic of Camelot.

Complete Publication & Reading List

The Main Series (Classic Adventures)

1. Dinosaurs Before Dark (1992)
2. The Knight at Dawn (1993)
3. Mummies in the Morning (1993)
4. Pirates Past Noon (1994)
5. Night of the Ninjas (1995)
6. Afternoon on the Amazon (1995)
7. Sunset of the Sabertooth (1996)
8. Midnight on the Moon (1996)
9. Dolphins at Daybreak (1996)
10. Ghost Town at Sundown (1997)
11. Lions at Lunchtime (1998)
12. Vacation Under the Volcano (1998)
13. Polar Bears Past Bedtime (1998)
14. Day of the Dragon King (1998)
15. Viking Ships at Sunrise (1998)
16. Hour of the Olympics (1998)
17. Tonight on the Titanic (1999)
18. Buffalo Before Breakfast (1999)
19. Tigers at Twilight (1999)
20. Dingoes at Dinnertime (2000)
21. Civil War on Sunday (2000)
22. Revolutionary War on Wednesday (2000)
23. Twister on Tuesday (2001)
24. Earthquake in the Early Morning (2001)
25. Stage Fright on a Summer Night (2002)
26. Good Morning, Gorillas (2002)
27. Thanksgiving on Thursday (2002)
28. High Tide in Hawaii (2003)
29. A Big Day for Baseball (2017)
30. Hurricane Heroes in Texas (2018)
31. Warriors in Winter (2019)
32. To the Future, Ben Franklin! (2019)
33. Narwhal on a Sunny Night (2020)
34. Late Lunch with Llamas (2020)
35. Camp Time in California (2021)
36. Sunlight on the Snow Leopard (2022)
37. Rhinos at Recess (2023)
38. Time of the Turtle King (2023)
39. Windy Night with Wild Horses (2024)
40. Sea Otter Sunrise (2025)

The Merlin Missions (Renumbered Order)

Note: The legacy single-sequence book number is shown in parentheses.

1. Christmas in Camelot (#29) (2001)
2. Haunted Castle on Hallows Eve (#30) (2003)
3. Summer of the Sea Serpent (#31) (2004)
4. Winter of the Ice Wizard (#32) (2004)
5. Carnival at Candlelight (#33) (2004)
6. Season of the Sandstorms (#34) (2005)
7. Night of the New Magicians (#35) (2006)
8. Blizzard of the Blue Moon (#36) (2006)
9. Dragon of the Red Dawn (#37) (2007)
10. Monday with a Mad Genius (#38) (2007)
11. Dark Day in the Deep Sea (#39) (2008)
12. Eve of the Emperor Penguin (#40) (2008)
13. Moonlight on the Magic Flute (#41) (2009)
14. A Good Night for Ghosts (#42) (2009)
15. Leprechaun in Late Winter (#43) (2010)
16. A Ghost Tale for Christmas Time (#44) (2010)
17. A Crazy Day with Cobras (#45) (2010)
18. Dogs in the Dead of Night (#46) (2011)
19. Abe Lincoln At Last! (#47) (2011)
20. A Perfect Time for Pandas (#48) (2012)
21. Stallion by Starlight (#49) (2013)
22. Hurry Up, Houdini! (#50) (2013)
23. High Time for Heroes (#51) (2014)
24. Soccer on Sunday (#52) (2014)
25. Shadow of the Shark (#53) (2015)
26. Balto of the Blue Dawn (#54) (2016)
27. Night of the Ninth Dragon (#55) (2016)