If you haven't read any of the previous posts, they are linked here:
We are reaching the best books in the series now. I think there are a couple that I'm genuinely shocked made it this high up the list, but I'm pleased to see the variety as I climb up the ranks. There are also a couple that I fully expected to break the top ten, but they were eventually dethroned. I also look at the books and though they may not be my favorites - they are very good books that I think hold a fair amount of value.
So, this book, and the next, are so, so similar to their counterparts that you may wonder why they rate so much lower. The answer lies in format. The text seems incredibly simple in the graphic novel format compared to the beginning chapter book format. I wish that the text had been beefed up a bit to correspond to the more advanced reading often required by graphic novels.
Characters - 8
Atmosphere - 9 - The illustrations definitely do the favor of making the island and ship come alive. Background details that could never come through in the original are now fleshed out, even if they are relegated to the background.
Writing Style - 7
Plot - 4 - While more technically happens in this version I rated plot so low... I can only imagine that it is because the pacing is so lame, and it is a plot point that absolutely didn't need to happen. Again, format is key. The pacing made me stare at page after page of rain, then plot points moved along at a quick clip.
Intrigue - 10 - Pirates + graphic novel? Of course this has plenty of intrigue!
Logic - 8 - The one odd thing the pirates bring in the way of logic is their absolute certainty that two kids are hiding treasure coupled with their willingness to murder children. That may be 100% accurate for some pirates but strikes me as fairly hyperbolic... still having now seen the anime I can say that this is tame.
Enjoyment - 6
Education - 8
Final Score: 7.5
Same applies here in terms of needing to beef up the text to match the new format. Adapts the story almost 100% straight. I can't think of any added plot points whatsoever.
Characters - 7
Atmosphere - 8
Writing Style - 7
Plot - 6
Intrigue - 10
Logic - 7
Enjoyment - 6 - I already read this story, so by the time I got here my enjoyment was waning. A new reader would probably get more mileage from the story.
Education - 9
Final Score: 7.5
What pairs well with the Olympics? How about Plato and a lost poem? You definitely get more that originally bargained for with this book. What it comes at the expense of is the Olympics. I would have loved more time at the games, but instead we get tied up in a social lesson of women not being allowed in the Olympics or go to school.
Characters - 8
Atmosphere - 7
Writing Style - 8
Plot - 7 - Things certainly happen, but jeepers - the pacing! There is so much happening here that I can honestly say it has one of the most complex plots of the early books... but what can't it focus on something interesting?
Intrigue - 4 - Not enough games, should have left Plato and poet for separate book.
Logic - 10 - Absolutely has story decisions that make sense - even if they play into the girl power tropes of the 90s.
Enjoyment - 8 - Even though I wanted more games, it is hard to fault a story that actually functions as a story and not just kids wandering around. Plus, there is a winged horse, so I can't hate it too much.
Education - 8
Final Score: 7.5
This one takes a much more exciting approach than I thought it would by having the titular earthquake happen pretty much right off the get-go. Jack and Annie find themselves in San Fransisco the day of the big earthquake. I like that there is still the quest of getting special writings and that it isn't tied to the library. Jack and Annie actually do not save any of the rare books lost in the fire after the earthquake, I always enjoy these books more with realistic consequences.
Characters - 7
Atmosphere - 8 - The aftermath of the earthquake is described in amazing detail, I've never been to San Fransico, but I was able to imagine it.
Writing Style - 8
Plot - 7
Intrigue - 7
Logic - 6 - I'd rather that Jack and Annie got the sign after the picture was taken. Having two kids showing a message of hope in a photo that inspired many, kind of loses its edge when you know that these particular kids will only be there for a few hours.
Enjoyment - 8
Education - 9
Final Score: 7.5
Jack and Annie travel to the forests of Yosemite in this book. They find themselves wandering around in a redwood forest… which seems like a sure fire way to make sure I’m not excited. The story is saved however by none other than the men responsible for the National Parks!
Characters - 9 - This book rates so high thanks in part to its historical characters. I knew we were getting John Muir based on the cover (he’s on the back of the dust jacket) but I was delighted to discover Teddy Roosevelt is in this book. As presidents go, I find his mythos to be some of the most enjoyable. Even Annie, whom often I find a bit insufferable around topics of the environment, gives us an emotional character moment.
Atmosphere - 7
Writing Style - 8
Plot - 5 - We’re creeping dangerously close to just wandering around. In fairness- that was the point of Muir and Roosevelt’s expedition, but even in the process of physically wandering around, this book keeps its ideas focused just enough to merit a five.
Intrigue - 7
Logic - 8
Enjoyment - 8
Education - 9 - This one does an amazing job of weaving in facts throughout the narrative, one of the best in fact. I learned some stuff, and I imagine most kids will find this information new.
Final Score: 7.625
I have two major issues with this book. One, I'm fairly certain the character Oki is meant to be Inupiaq, but his name doesn't reflect that very well (there is no letter O in that particular alphabet) many Inupiat also have English names that skew pretty traditional (John, James, Mary, Elizabeth). Oki is a name in Japanese, but for girls, and nothing about this character hints at Japanese ancestry. So that's a research ball-drop on Osbourne's part. Two, at the beginning of the book Teddy tells them to hurry and that they are needed right away... in 1925. They have a time-machine, speed isn't particularly of the essence.
Characters - 8 - Oki and his uncle are great impetus for Jack and Annie to set out on their journey. It adds the important human touch to the beginning of the story.
Atmosphere - 7
Writing Style - 8
Plot - 7 - Did you like the movie Balto? You'll probably like this. Oddly enough, I don't see how Jack and Annie really did much of anything to affect the outcome of the serum run - even though the book sure acts like they do.
Intrigue - 7
Logic - 9
Enjoyment - 8
Education - 8
Final Score: 7.75
I’m so shocked how high up this book got. And I’m the one who rated it! There are a couple stand-out moments here, but for the most part the book comes, does its thing, and goes. I guess it just does its thing well. Jack and Annie need one of the secrets of greatness from the Great Harry Houdini. Unfortunately it seems like his opening act has disappeared, somehow the show must go on!
Characters - 8 - Houdini and his wife were good, despite not getting much page time. Bess Houdini was particularly enjoyable since we don’t hear much about her. Jack and Annie also have what might not be character development per say, but is certainly character exploration.
Atmosphere - 7
Writing Style - 8
Plot - 7
Intrigue - 7
Logic - 9 - The choices make sense, even Annie’s impulsive ones. Everything natural plays into the next step. The only odd bit is the decision to show the Houdinis the magic tree house as it vanishes. I almost let it go, but then Jack and Annie are adamant that Leif must not see the tree house in a later book.
Enjoyment - 8
Education - 8
Final Score: 7.75
One of the first books in the series written ‘by popular demand’. At first Mary Pope Osborne didn’t really want to write about the Titanic. However, it was a pretty popular topic in the 90s, and my research leads me to believe it is still very popular. Osborne focuses the story on two fictional passengers that she allows to escape in order to help keep the text light enough for the target audience. She does keep reality present by having some passengers simply ignore the plight and by having Jack and Annie aware that the boat will sink and sprinkling research notes throughout.
Characters - 9
Atmosphere - 7
Writing Style - 8
Plot - 8 - The constrained location and time frame help drive Jack and Annie to accomplish their quest in a direct manner. It a complex plot by any means but I like that it is focused.
Intrigue - 7 - Titanic was so popular in the nineties that this honestly feels like a natural choice, I think it is still pretty popular though maybe not all the way down to 2nd grade.
Logic - 7
Enjoyment - 7
Education - 9
Final Score: 7.75
The first true Merlin Mission in my opinion. There is technically one before this but I think it was originally intended more as a holiday Special Edition and instead became the template for these longer books. This book goes in such a wildly different direction that it would be easy to rate it lower for breaking form, instead it rates higher by really pulling good numbers on several areas.
Characters - 9 - Teddy is here providing someone new for Jack and Annie to work off, while still being a returning character- plus he is set up for a recurring role throughout the Merlin Missions. He is sort of an amalgamation of Jack and Annie, so we can see Jack’s penchant for studying merged with Annie’s talent for magic.
Atmosphere - 8
Writing Style - 8
Plot - 10 - Easily one of the most plot-driven books in the series. There is a goal, concentrated steps towards that goal, a conflict, and even a climax! I was worried after reading this book that all the Merlin Missions would obliterate the original series scores, but we eventually returned to less intense plots.
Intrigue - 9 - Halloween and spooky stuff will always entice kids, I think this one is an easy sell based on the title alone.
Logic - 8
Enjoyment - 8
Education - 2
Final Score: 7.75
Surprised? I fully expected this book to be in the top ten, but it missed it by thiiiiiis much. An excellent first entry into the series, our character introductions are solid and fairly well formed. A classic case of an introvert and extrovert team-up but this is for kids that are not as familiar with the trope. I totally recommend reading this book first, it really is the series standard!
Characters - 7 - Jack and Annie are such a great sibling dynamic. They don’t get along 100% of the time, but they don’t really have it out for each other either. They perfectly encapsulate two people who care about each other despite their differences.
Atmosphere - 10
Writing Style - 8
Plot - 4 - Between introducing concepts and characters there aren’t many pages left to develop a plot. This book sets up the tried and true idea of Jack and Annie just kind of wandering around.
Intrigue - 10
Logic - 7
Enjoyment - 10 - I simply enjoy reading this one aloud too much to give it anything but a perfect mark for enjoyment. Dinosaurs are the perfect way to capture the imagination of small children and this book delivers on amazement, mystery, and thrills.
Education - 7
Final Score: 7.875
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