Books with author Mark Osborne

Eight-year-old Jack and his little sister, Annie, are playing in the woods during their summer holiday, when they find a mysterious tree house full of books. But these are no ordinary books . . . And this is no ordinary tree house . . .Jack and Annie get more than they had bargined for when Jack opens a book about dinosaurs and wishes he could see them for real. They end up in prehistoric times with Pteranodons, Triceratops and a huge Tyrannosaurus Rex! How will they get home again? The race is on . . . !

Something strange happened to me today, Papa. Without warning, I began to say all my thoughts out loud. And many of them were bitter. It happened when I was walking behind the hunter with the eagle painted on his cheek...suddenly my wrath poured out like fire. I told him that I was not a savage like him and the others! I told him that I despise everything about him and his people...He did not turn back even once to look at me, nor to command me to be silent. Indeed, I began to wonder if he had heard me at all. Then I wondered if I had spoken. Was I only thinking these venomous thoughts? I fear I am going mad, Papa. Perhaps invisible too. Worst of all, my ink is nearly gone...now for certain I will totally disappear.

Santina Pietra is seventeen and in medieval San Gimignano, daughters of merchants are expected to marry. But Santina cares only for Calandrino, a brilliant young scholar who is preoccupied with his ancient alchemical texts. Soon Santina meets Trotula, the village midwife, who might or might not be a "strega," a witch. Trotula challenges her to forget Calandrino and become the woman she is meant to be. Some say she is a victim of the midwife's spell, but Santina is determined to follow in Trotula's footsteps even as calamities strike. The setting is 14th century Italy, yet in Santina modern readers will find a strong-minded young woman whose search for meaning echoes their own. Alchemy's Daughter is the author's second novel.

Merlin Mission Books 17-24 of the #1 New York Times bestselling Magic Tree House series available together for the first time ever! Magic Tree House Merlin Missions are more challenging adventures for the experienced Magic Tree House reader. In each adventure, Merlin the magician sends Jack and Annie on an adventure in the magic tree house. Audiobooks in this Merlin Missions set include:A Crazy Day with Cobras (#17) Dogs in the Dead of Night (#18) Abe Lincoln at Last! (#19) A Perfect Time for Pandas (#20) Stallion by Starlight (#21) Hurry Up, Houdini! (#22) High Time for Heroes (#23)Soccer on Sunday (#24) "Osborne's narration is low-key and well-paced. A great way to introduce children who are reluctant readers or can't yet read to this highly entertaining book series and to reading in general."--Chicago Parent “Osborne's soothing, beautifully articulated voice and knack for characterization are reliably pleasing."--AudioFile

At age fourteen, all Emilia Serafini wants is to learn to paint so that she can become an artist. But painters’ apprenticeships for young women don’t exist in the Florence of Renaissance Italy. The odds appear stacked against her until she receives a fascinating book, A Manual to the Science of Alchemy. It was once her grandmother’s and Emilia turns again and again to the Manual for guidance.When Emilia meets the wealthy, brooding Franco Villani, her life takes a thrilling, but dangerous turn. Franco will do anything to win a place in the court of the powerful Cosimo de’ Medici. Well aware that Cosimo prizes ancient manuscripts above all, Franco realizes Emilia’s Manual would be invaluable to him in more ways than one.Infused with the mysticism of alchemy, Nonna’s Book of Mysteries is an exciting portrait of a young woman who defies convention to seek her destiny. “ I loved Nonna’s Book of Mysteries! It’s a wonder of a book– exciting, mysterious, and wise. I’ll long remember the courageous and determined Emilia who learns about choices and the consequences of choices, about the importance of struggle and perseverance, about loyalty, friendship, and love, amid the splendors of Renaissance Florence. I can’t wait for another from Mary Osborne.” Karen Cushman, Newberry Award Winner, author of The Midwife’s Apprentice.

For this adventure, Jack and Annie are in Ancient China!When the tree house lands in ancient China, Jack and Annie are told to beware the fearsome emperor . . . It's not long before they learn the warning is right! In search of an old Chinese legend, they head to the palace of the dragon king. But he is not pleased to see them! And when they find themselves lost in his spooky burial grounds, only magic will help Jack and Annie escape!