Exotic Escapades: 6 Must-Read Series for Fans of Magic Tree House

Perched high above the everyday world, and notably free from adults, a tree house is a spectacular thing. Add in equal parts magic and mystery, and you have a nearly unbeatable combination of childhood allurements. Once young time travelers have experienced the thrill of spinning their way through the ages with Jack and Annie of the Magic Tree House books, not just any old romp through the literary landscape will do. Inspire fans of the beloved Mary Pope Osborne series to set off on new exotic escapades with tales of unusual time machines, magic makers and super sleuths. Your fiction-loving fledglings are sure to earn more stamps on their explorer passports in no time.

The Indian in the Cupboard series, by Lynne Reid Banks
A worn cupboard, an heirloom key, and a lone plastic Iroquois warrior are the unlikely ingredients for pure magic in this page-turning series, which has delighted readers since the first book was published in 1980. The journey begins when nine-year-old Omri receives the cupboard and figurine for his birthday. Though these items—along with a key passed down from Omri’s great grandmother—aren’t at the top of anyone’s wish list, Omri soon finds that together they have the power to bring the toy man to life. The chronicles of Omri, his best friend, Patrick, and their new chum, Little Bear, lead down a narrative path that is as fresh and exciting as ever. Jack and Annie would definitely approve.

Time Warp Trio series, by John Scieszka
Joe, Sam, and Fred are three regular boys who amuse themselves in regular-boy ways—until Joe’s uncle gives him a very special book. This small, ornate tome known simply as The Book emits a green mist that transports the kids to the past, the future and everywhere in between, even into other books and Greek mythology! They must brave epic battles and vicious creatures in order to find their way back to The Book, which is hidden somewhere in their new environs, and return home.

A to Z Mysteries series, by Ron Roy
Three self-taught kid detectives—Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose—work their way through an alphabet of mysteries in this spirited series about friendship and teamwork. Sharp and resourceful, the trio of best friends is cut from the same cloth as Jack and Annie, and shares the latter’s talent for resolving complex conundrums. Their walks on the wild side begin with the case of a missing author and lead all the way to a grave-digging zombie.

Rainbow Magic series, by Daisy Meadows
It may not be obvious to the layperson, but fairy folk know that Rachel Walker and Kirsty Tate have saved the world more than a few times—the fairy world, that is. As the honorary ambassadors to Fairyland, Rachel and Kirsty are the equivalent of Special Forces for the pixie-dust pack. When the winged ones are threatened by Enemy No. 1, Jack Frost, and his evil green goblins, the girls swoop in to save everything that the sparkly set holds dear.

The Littles series, by John Peterson
This classic children’s series about an eensy-weensy family of mouse-like people proves, time and again, that the small are indeed mighty. The Littles dwell inside the walls of the Bigg home, which belongs to an average-size family that is totally unaware of its tiny tenants. Ever the creative strategists, the Littles dive into harrowing adventures of all sorts, many involving a pesky cat and naughty mice. Despite the challenges of being 4-to-6-inches tall, this clever clan uses smarts and tenacity to come out on top.

Baseball Card Adventures, by Dan Gutman
For true-blue baseball fan Joe Stoshack, scoring rare baseball cards is the next-best thing to playing his favorite sport. His skills on the diamond aren’t likely to catapult him into the same league as his idols, but Joe hits the home run of the century when he discovers that he can travel through time simply by touching old baseball cards and photos. Like Jack and Annie, he lands smack dab in the middle of actual historical events, rubs elbows with icons of the past (think Babe Ruth and Jackie Robinson), and may have the power to alter the course of history.
Which books would you recommend to Magic Tree House fans?