Dragon of the Red Dawn

Jack and Annie receive an assignment to find the secret of happiness from ancient Japan and travel there in their magic tree house. While in Japan Annie and Jack meet a famous poet, Basho, who helps them escape the the city guards, the samurai. While on this adventure, Annie and Jack save the city from a fire with the help of the Cloud Dragon. The plot seemed to fall flat and was incomplete. Just when the reader thought they had reached the climax of the story, it actually ended. The author did provide accurate historical content; however, most of the historical information was found at the back of the book and not necessarily embedded into the story. The themes and vocabulary worked well for its targeted audience of 7-10 year olds. The show more book did contain a few black-and-white illustration, but were not necessary for the plot. Additional Selection. show less

This is the most recent Magic Tree House book (although we've come nowhere close to reading the rest of the series). My son and I both enjoyed this book, which is set in 17th century Japan. We meet the famous poet Basho, who was well known for writing in the style that later evolved into Haiku (the book tells us that he wrote Haiku, but that's contrary to some research we did on our own after reading the book). The children are sent back to Japan in order to find one of the secrets of Happiness, and end up having to figure out a way to save Edo from burning to the ground.

The inclusion of Bashō in a children's story is sheer genius! Western artists and writers are overdone. It's nice to explore some eastern art.

Very nice visit to 17th century Japan. I want to learn more about Basho myself now!

This book is about Jack and Annie who have a magic tree house that sends them to different times to help people. In this book they are sent back to the ancient Japan to find one of the secrets to happiness to make Merlin feel better. This is a good book for 8 year old. This book would be good for a lesson on the traditions of Japan. Did Jack and Anne follow these traditions while they were in Japan? What could they have differently?

Morgana sends Jack and Annie on another quest to help out their dear friend Merlin, this time traveling back to feudal Japan. Upon arriving, Jack and Annie meet the poet Basho, who helps them find one of the secrets to happiness that Merlin needs. Jack and Annie face samurai and magic as they work together to find the secret.

This book is about finding the first secret of happiness for Merlin. This time they go to old japan where they find themselves in the imperial garden a long time ago. But then samurais come to meet them but thankful basho the great poet mistakes them for his students and they go to the city of Edo which is also Tokyo. Edo was on fire. But thanks to the cloud dragon Jack and Annie saved Edo. I will recommend this book to people who really want to learn about Japanese culture.