A Perfect Time for Pandas

Reviewed by: Jill O'Connor - North Yarmouth Academy, Yarmouth, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: April 29, 2015

Review

This title, book #48 in the Magic Tree House series, is the first one I've read in this series. And it is such a popular series that it sells itself and is worth adding to a library collection based on strength of author/series alone. But it must be reviewed. If I were a returning reader, I would enjoy this book because it wraps up a problem that seems to have started several books prior. The protagonists, Jack and Annie, a brother-and-sister team, figure out a riddle that procures them a fourth item and allows a beloved character to break free from a spell. As a new reader, I found that this book had enough back story and explanation, without getting too bogged down in it, for me to follow along. The story jumps right into the action with Jack and Annie entering the Magic Tree House and getting whisked to China in 2008. The two visit the Wolong Giant Panda Preserve Center (fulfilling a dream of Annie's, to get close to pandas) and end up helping during a horrible earthquake that shakes up the Center. The action moves the reader along in the story and there are some unlikely things (gaining access to the Center though no one under 18 is allowed without an adult; having the right amount of money to do everything they need to do; easily interacting with frightened wild animals), but kids will easily accept these things because they are necessary for Jack & Annie to succeed, and you want them to succeed. The story wraps up with a gentle lesson and Jack & Annie return home in time for school. I appreciate that Osborne champions ecological issues and bases the story on an actual event. She provides an author's note for additional information, and Osborne and her sister have teamed up to write non-fiction companion titles for each MTH book (for this book: Pandas and Other Endangered Species).

Overall Book Score: very good