When Jack and Annie receive an invitation to spend Christmas Eve in Camelot—a magical place that exists only in myth and fantasy—they know they are in for their biggest adventure yet. What they don't know is that the invitation will send them on a quest to save Camelot. Can they succeed even though Camelot's greatest knights have failed? Did you know that there’s a Magic Tree House book for every kid? Magic Tree House: Adventures with Jack and Annie, perfect for readers who are just beginning chapter books Merlin Missions: More challenging adventures for the experienced reader Super Edition: A longer and more dangerous adventure Fact Trackers: Nonfiction companions to your favorite Magic Tree House adventures Have more fun with Jack and Annie at MagicTreeHouse.com! Gr 2-5-In this series installment, Jack and Annie are transported to the legendary kingdom, which has been put under a dismal spell by King Arthur's enemy Mordred. To bring joy and hope back to Camelot, the youngsters volunteer to journey to the Otherworld in order to bring back the Water of Memory and Imagination that will break the spell. This isn't really a Christmas story, but rather a rousing adventure tale filled with dancing fairies, white stags, and hideous beasts. Jack and Annie undertake the rigors of the quest with enthusiasm and aplomb, and if it all seems a bit too easy, fledgling fantasy readers and fans of the series shouldn't mind at all.-E. M. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc. The Magic Tree House series has become a staple for inspiring kids to read. Christmas in Camelot is a very special Magic Tree House book. Here, author Mary Pope Osborne uses the literary skills for which she s known to create a longer, more in-depth story featuring the characters kids have come to love. The result is magical: a fast-paced but detailed, easy-to-read story. Jack and Annie go on a quest to save Camelot, a quest that will prove to a beleaguered King Arthur that children and imagination really can make a difference. From the Hardcover edition. MARY POPE OSBORNE is the author of the New York Times number one bestselling Magic Tree House series. She and her husband, writer Will Osborne (author of Magic Tree House: The Musical ), live in northwestern Connecticut with their three dogs. Ms. Osborne is also the coauthor of the companion Magic Tree House Fact Trackers series with Will, and with her sister, Natalie Pope Boyce. SAL MURDOCCA has illustrated more than 200 children's trade and text books. He is also a librettist for children's opera, a video artist, an avid runner, hiker, and bicyclist, and a teacher of children's illustration at the Parsons School of Design. Sal lives and works in New York with his wife, Nancy. From the Trade Paperback edition. Sunlight had faded from the late-afternoon sky. Puffy snow clouds were moving in. "Let's hurry. I'm cold," said Jack. He and Annie were walking home from school. Their Christmas vacation was just beginning. Cooo-cooo. "Wait, " said Annie. "Look." She pointed to a white bird sitting on a bare tree branch at the edge of the woods. The bird was staring straight at them. "It's a dove," said Jack. "It's a messenger," said Annie, "from Morgan." "No," Jack said, afraid to get his hopes up. They hadn't seen Morgan le Fay in a long time. He really missed her. "Yes, " said Annie. "She has a mission for us. I can feel it." In the hush of the cold twilight, the dove spread its wings and flew into the Frog Creek woods. backl" "Come on!" said Annie. "The tree house is "You're just hoping!" said Jack. "I'm knowing!" said Annie. She ran into the woods, following the white dove. "Oh, brother," said Jack. But he took off after Annie. Even in the growing darkness, they easily found their way. They zigzagged between the bare trees and ran over the frozen ground until they came to the tallest oak in the woods. "See?" said Annie', pointing to the top of the tree. "Yeah, " whispered Jack. There it was: the magic tree house. "Morgan!" shouted Annie. Jack held his breath, waiting to see the enchantress at the tree house window. But Morgan did not appear. Annie grabbed the rope ladder and started up. Jack followed. When they climbed inside the tree house, Jack saw something lying on the floor. It was a scroll, rolled up and tied with a red velvet ribbon. Jack picked up the scroll and unrolled it. The thick, yellowed paper shimmered with large gold writing. "Wow, Morgan sent us a really fancy note," said Annie. "It's an invitation, " said Jack. "Listen." "Christmas in Camelot!" said Annie. "I don't believe it!" "Cool" whispered Jack. He pictured a beautiful, glowing castle lit with candles and filled with knights and ladies feasting and singing. "We're going to celebrate Christmas with Morgan and King Arthur!" said Annie. "And Queen Guinevere!" "Yeah, said Jack. "And the Knights of the Round Table, like Sir Lancelot!" "Let's go!" said Annie. "Where's th