Viking Ships at Sunrise
Author: Mary Pope Osborne
Publisher: Scholastic
Copyright: 1998
Pages: 71
Reading Level: 3
Genre: Adventure
Rating: ****

Summary:
The brother and sister do-o are at it again. This time off to Ireland to save the Serpents Magna, they have to be careful though because Vikings sail the waters. Arriving in Ireland, back in the dark ages they are surrounded by fog when suddenly a rope is dropped. Climbing up the big steps with the help of the robe they are met by a kind monk. Trusting him they show him the library cards and he welcomes them to the monastery. He leads them in a shows them the room where all the monks are working on books. Approaching one monk the kids ask about the book they are looking for and he shows it to them. Handing the book to them, they go to leave. As they are just about to enter the magic tree house and return home, the spot Viking ships off in the waters and they have to warn the monks so they are not taken as slaves. Climbing back up the big rocks they warn the monks. The monks grab their precious books and run to their hiding place, thanking them for the warning. But the kids can’t make it back to the tree house because the Vikings are now on the shore. Sneaking around them and hiding in one of the Viking ships, they are suddenly going out to sea. With no way back and the shore slipping farther and farther away the kids call for help. Just then a mighty sea creature springs from the water, and pushes them back to shore. Back on shore they are spotted by the Vikings, but they run to the tree house and are off in a whirlwind before and transported back to present time before they can catch them. The Serpents Magna is now safe, and they kids can head back home before their parents even get up.

Who would benefit from reading this?
This is a fun adventure book for any elementary aged kid. There are numerous different adventures and you learn a little bit about history at the same time.

Potential problems/conflicts:
The Vikings threaten to take the monks as slaves. The books can also have a large suspense factor to them, which may scare some children.

My reaction:
I think these books are fun for kids. They are not too long, but not too short at the same time. They allow the kid to feel a part of the adventure as well as learn about history at the same time. There is nothing offensive and cruel in the books and it shows a nice bond that a brother and sister can have when they work together.