Mary Pope Osborne - Ancient Greece and the Olympics

Dear Reader,

Did you know theres a Magic Tree House book for every kid? From those just starting to read chapter books to more experienced readers, Magic Tree House has something for everyone, including science, sports, geography, wildlife, historyand always a bit of mystery and magic!

Happy reading!

When I write Magic Tree House adventures, I love including facts about the times and places Jack and Annie visit. But when readers finish these adventures, I want them to learn even more. So thats why we write a series of nonfiction books that are companions to the fiction titles in the Magic Tree House series. We call these books Fact Trackers because we love to track the facts! Whether were researching dinosaurs, pyramids, Pilgrims, sea monsters, or cobras, were always amazed at how wondrous and surprising the real world is. We want you to experience the same wonder we doso get out your pencils and notebooks and hit the trail with us. You can be a Magic Tree House Fact Tracker, too!

Heres what kids, parents, and teachers have to say about the Magic Tree House Fact Trackers:

They are so good. I cant wait for the next one. All I can say for now is prepare to be amazed! Alexander N.

I have read every Magic Tree House book there is. The [Fact Trackers] are a thrilling way to get more information about the special events in the story. John R.

These are fascinating nonfiction books that enhance the magical time-traveling adventures of Jack and Annie. I love these books, especially American Revolution. I was learning so much, and I didnt even know it! Tori Beth S.

[They] are an excellent behind-the-scenes look at what the [Magic Tree House fiction] has started in your imagination! You cant buy one without the other; they are such a complement to one another. Erika N., mom

Magic Tree House [Fact Trackers] took my children on a journey from Frog Creek, Pennsylvania, to so many significant historical events! The detailed manuals are a remarkable addition to the classic fiction Magic Tree House books we adore! Jenny S., mom

[They] are very useful tools in my classroom, as they allow for students to be part of the planning process. Together, we find facts in the [Fact Trackers] to extend the learning introduced in the fictional companions. Researching and planning classroom activities, such as our class Olympics based on facts found in Ancient Greece and the Olympics, help create a genuine love for learning! Paula H., teacher

Text copyright 2004 by Mary Pope Osborne and Natalie Pope Boyce

Illustrations copyright 2004 by Sal Murdocca

Cover photograph copyright Gianni Dagli Orti/CORBIS

All rights reserved. Published in the United States by Random House Childrens Books, a division of Penguin Random House LLC, New York.

Originally published by Random House Childrens Books, New York, in 2004.

Random House and the colophon are registered trademarks and A Stepping Stone Book and the colophon are trademarks of Penguin Random House LLC. Magic Tree House is a registered trademark of Mary Pope Osborne; used under license.

The Magic Tree House Fact Tracker series was formerly known as the Magic Tree House Research Guide series.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Osborne, Mary Pope.

Ancient Greece and the Olympics: a nonfiction companion to magic tree house #16, hour of the olympics / by Mary Pope Osborne and Natalie Pope Boyce ; illustrated by Sal Murdocca.

p.cm. (Magic tree house fact tracker)

Originally published by Random House, New York, in 2004.

A Stepping Stone book.

ISBN 978-0-375-82378-7 (trade) ISBN 978-0-375-92378-4 (lib. bdg.) ISBN 978-0-307-97528-7 (ebook)

1. Olympic games (Ancient)Juvenile literature. I. Boyce, Natalie Pope. II. Murdocca, Sal, ill. III. Osborne, Mary Pope. Hour of the Olympics. IV. Title.

GV23.O73 2011 796.48dc22 2011006591

Ebook ISBN9780307975287

This book has been officially leveled by using the F&P Text Level Gradient Leveling System.

Random House Childrens Books supports the First Amendment and celebrates the right to read.

v4.1

a

For Bill Kruse

Scientific Consultant:

DR. MIKE NORRIS, Associate Museum Educator, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Very special thanks to Will Osborne, for his invaluable encouragement and help.

We would also like to acknowledge Pam Kosty and the staff at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology; Paul Coughlin for his ongoing photographic contribution to the series; and, as always, the great creative team at Random House: Joanne Yates, Angela Roberts, Cathy Goldsmith, Mallory Loehr, and especially our editor, Shana Corey, whose patience, skill, and diligence made this book possible.

Dear Readers,

The great thing about learning is that it never stops! And best of all, it can be a lot of fun.

Our adventures in Hour of the Olympics taught us a lot about ancient Greece. But we wanted to learn more. We wanted to find out how the ancient Greeks lived. And we really wanted to know about the ancient Olympics. We wondered if the Games were as popular as they are now. Guess what? We found out they were!

First we went to the library. There were lots of books there on ancient Greece. The books had great pictures. We could imagine the people who lived then. It was harder to find information on the ancient Olympics. This is where the Internet came in handy. We found some good sites that really helped. And finally, we visited a museum that had many things from ancient Greece.

When we finished our research, we knew a lot. Now were going to share it with you. Get out your notebooks. Get ready! Were traveling back over 2,000 years. Its time to meet the ancient Greeks!