Mary Pope Osborne - Lions at Lunchtime

Heres what kids have to say to
Mary Pope Osborne, author of
the Magic Tree House series: WOW! You have an imagination like no other.Adam W. I love your books. If you stop writing books, it will be like losing a best friend.Ben M. I think you are the real Morgan le Fay. There is always magic in your books.Erica Y. One day I was really bored and I didnt want to read.

I looked in your book. I read a sentence, and it was interesting. So I read some more, until the book was done. It was so good I read more and more. Then I had read all of your books, and now I hope you write lots more.Danai K. You are my best author in the world. You are my best author in the world.

I love your books. I read all the time. I read everywhere. My mom is like freaking out.Ellen C. I hope you make these books for all yours and mines life.Riki H. Teachers and librarians love
Magic Tree House books, too! Thank you for opening faraway places and times to my class through your books.

They have given me the chance to bring in additional books, materials, and videos to share with the class.J. Cameron It excites me to see how involved [my fourth-grade reading class] is in your books. I would do anything to get my students more involved, and this has done it.C. Rutz I discovered your books last year. WOW! Our students have gone crazy over them. I cant order enough copies! Thanks for contributing so much to childrens literature!C.

Kendziora I first came across your Magic Tree House series when my son brought one home. I have since introduced this great series to my class. They have absolutely fallen in love with these books! My students are now asking me for more independent reading time to read them. Your stories have inspired even my most struggling readers.M. Payne I love how I can go beyond the [Magic Tree House] books and use them as springboards for other learning.R. Gale We have enjoyed your books all year long.

We check your Web site to find new information. We pull our map down to find the areas where the adventures take place. My class always chimes in at key parts of the story. It feels good to hear my students ask for a book and cheer when a new book comes out.J. Korinek Our students have Magic Tree House fever. I cant keep your books on the library shelf.J.

Rafferty Your books truly invite children into the pleasure of reading. Thanks for such terrific work.S. Smith The children in the fourth grade even hide the [Magic Tree House] books in the library so that they will be able to find them when they are ready to check them out.K. Mortensen My Magic Tree House books are never on the bookshelf because they are always being read by my students. Thank you for creating such a wonderful series.K. Mahoney Dear Readers,Your letters continue to help me write the Magic Tree House series.One day while I was writing Lions at Lunchtime , I got stuckI couldnt figure out what should happen when Jack and Annie get caught by the Masai warrior.

Finally, I decided to take a break and read some letters from you. I read a letter from a boy named Mark, who lives in Massachusetts. He had written to suggest that Jack and Annie decide to visit the tree house on their way home from the grocery store. A light bulb went on in my head, and I figured out a way Jack and Annie could make friends with the warrior.Thank you, Mark. Thanks to all you readers. http://www.randomhouse.com/
http://www.randomhouse.com/magictreehouse Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Osborne, Mary Pope. http://www.randomhouse.com/
http://www.randomhouse.com/magictreehouse Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Osborne, Mary Pope.

Lions at lunchtime / by Mary Pope Osborne ; illustrated by Sal Murdocca.
p. cm. (The magic tree house series ; #11) A stepping stone book.
Summary: The magic tree house takes Jack and Annie to Africa where they meet up with wonderful wild animals, a very hungry warrior, and where they even solve a riddle.
eISBN: 978-0-375-89468-8
[1. Tree housesFiction. 2. 3. 3.

ZoologyAfricaFiction.
4. AfricaFiction.] I. Murdocca, Sal, ill. II. Title. III.

Series: Osborne, Mary Pope.
Magic tree house series ; #11. PZ7.O81167Li 1998 [Fic] 21 97-19885 Random House, Inc. New York, Toronto, London, Sydney, Auckland v3.0 To Shana Corey,
with appreciation for all her help

Jack and Annie were walking home from the grocery store. Jacks pack was heavy. It held a big jar of peanut butter and a loaf of bread. Are you going to have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich? said Annie.

Or a peanut butter and honey sandwich? Jack started to answer, but stopped. Oh, man, he whispered. What is it? said Annie. Look at that! said Jack. He pointed to the edge of the Frog Creek woods. In the shadows stood a small, delicate animal.

It looked like a tiny deer. Its a sign, whispered Annie. Remember when we saw the rabbit? He was a sign of the Wild West. The deerlike creature leaped into the woods. Jack and Annie didnt stop to think. They followed as fast as they could.

Jacks heavy pack thumped against his back as he ran. Finally, they stopped and looked around. Where did she go? he said. I dont see her, said Annie. Oh, wow, said Annie. She pointed up.

There was the magic tree house. It was shining in the noon sun, at the top of the tallest tree in the woods. Its rope ladder swayed in the shadows below. Wheres Morgan? said Annie. Morgan le Fay wasnt waving at them from the window. She wasnt even at the window.

I dont know. Lets go up, said Jack. They climbed the ladder and went into the tree house. Sunlight streamed through the window. It lit a stack of books and two scrolls in the corner. The ancient scrolls held the answers to riddles Jack and Annie had solved earlier.

Jack took off his heavy pack. Did Morgan leave us a third riddle? said Annie. Looking for someone? said a soft voice. Jack and Annie whirled around. Morgan! said Annie. Morgan le Fay had appeared out of nowhere.

She looked ancient and lovely in the bright light. Do you still want to become Master Librarians? she asked Jack and Annie. So you can help me in my work? Yes! they said together. Wonderful, Morgan said. Then she reached into her robe and pulled out a scroll. Youve solved two riddles so far, she said.

Here is your third. She handed the scroll to Annie. And for your research She pulled a book out from her robe and handed it to Jack. The books cover said T HE P LAINS OF A FRICA . Africa? said Jack. Oh, man, Ive always wanted to go there.

He opened the book. He and Annie stared at a picture. It showed hordes of zebras, tall giraffes, big animals with horns, and tiny, deerlike creatures. Hey, thats the animal that led us here! said Annie. A Thomsons gazelle, I believe, Morgan said. Where are the lions? said Jack.