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A Good Night for Ghosts is the forty-second installment to the Magic Tree House series and the fourteenth of the Merlin Missions.

Summary[]

Jack and Annie must travel back in time to New Orleans in 1915 to help a teenage Louis Armstrong fulfill his destiny and become the "King of Jazz".

Chapters[]

  1. Way Down Yonder in New Orleans
  2. Money Blues
  3. Coal Cart Blues
  4. Potato Head Blues
  5. Go 'Long, Mule
  6. Find Me at the Greasy Spoon
  7. Skid-Dat-De-Dat!
  8. Heebie Jeebies
  9. Working Man Blues
  10. Thanks a Million
  11. Swing that Music

Plot[]

One rainy night while Jack was sleeping, Annie came saying she dreamt of Teddy and Kathleen returning. Jack didn’t believe her, so Annie left by herself, but after thinking about it, Jack relented. Once they got to the woods and into the magic tree house, the two told the kids that Merlin’s new mission was just like the last one: helping a creative person. This time, they will be going to New Orleans, Kathleen gave them a research book and turned their flute into a trumpet. Just like last time, it could only be used once, they have to make up a song to make it work, and they have to do it facing their greatest danger. The genius they’ll be looking for is Louis Armstrong, the future King of Jazz!

Jack and Annie arrived barefoot and dressed in white shirts and suspenders, blending into the historical setting. After realizing it's 1915, they learn that jazz music, led by figures like Louis, originated in the city. Jack and Annie headed to Canal Street, where they tried to gather information. They also discovered it's the eve of All Saints Day, which is similar to Halloween. They took a streetcar to the French Quarter and headed to Jackson Square, where they encountered local kids playing music. Jack and Annie found out that Louis was known as "Dipper." A girl directed them to a nearby river cafe, but they faced difficulty when a waiter mistook them for beggars. Eventually, they met Louis Armstrong as a teenager, who was friendly but too busy with work to hang out. He invited them to find him the next time they visit New Orleans, and after a brief interaction, Dipper left to continue his work.

Jack and Annie followed “Dipper” delivering coal. They wanted to work with him and help him become the king of jazz, so they asked to assist with his delivery. Dipper agreed, and they all began shoveling coal into a bin, though the kids struggled with the heavy shovels. During their work, they saw a group of boys, including Little Mac, Happy, and Big Nose Sidney, who invited Dipper to join them for a parade performance. However, Dipper turned them down, explaining he needed the steady work to support his family. Jack and Annie tried to encourage Dipper to pursue his music, but he remained focused on his responsibilities. After working together, Dipper offered them a ride back to the coal yard and even tried to give them money, but Jack and Annie refused, appreciating Dipper's hard work. As they rode back, Dipper continued to sing, and the sound of a parade drew near.

Jack and Annie joined the lively parade in New Orleans where they saw people in colorful costumes like clowns, kings, queens, and ghosts. New Orleans, known for being haunted, added to the eerie atmosphere, but Jack and Annie weren't afraid. As the parade continued, a band played joyful music, and they noticed Dipper singing along. He taught them about the fun of "scat singing," where one makes up words to the rhythm of the world around you, including sounds from the street vendors and a mule’s hooves. The three continued their journey along the Mississippi River. Dipper explained that music could come from anywhere, even from everyday sounds like people singing or a mule’s hooves. When they reached the coal yard, Dipper said goodbye, but Jack and Annie, eager to continue with him, rushed to catch up. Dipper headed off to another job, hauling bananas, and though Jack and Annie tried to express how much they enjoy his music, Dipper playfully mocked them for not knowing how to have fun. Despite the teasing, they followed him to the loading dock where workers are busy hauling large loads.

Jack and Annie helped Dipper unload bananas from the cargo hold of a ship. Dipper guided them to a spot where they could assist, and despite the large size of the banana bunches, Jack and Annie worked together to carry them. They spent the evening hauling bananas back and forth to inspectors until it got dark. Just as they're about to finish, a rat suddenly jumped out from the cargo hold, causing Dipper to scream and drop his bananas. Jack and Annie, startled, run after Dipper as he led them away from the rat. Eventually, they all stopped, and in the chaos, they began laughing together, bonding over their shared anxieties. After some time, Dipper left to get their payment from the boss, but Jack and Annie realized they still haven't completed their mission of buying an umbrella. They met an umbrella seller who warned about an approaching storm, and Jack became confused about their next move. Dipper returned with ¢30, but Jack and Annie insisted he kept it for his family, leading to a friendly exchange. Dipper then invited them to join him, and they walked off together.

As the group headed away from Jackson Square, they enjoyed the vibrant atmosphere of Bourbon Street, where street vendors and musicians created a lively scene. They briefly encountered some of Dipper’s friends, but he ignored them and led Jack and Annie to a narrow alley. They waited outside a run-down building, which turned out to be a greasy spoon, a type of restaurant. While they waited, Dipper came out with gumbo stew (filled with chicken, ham, tomatoes, okra, onions, and rice) and lemonade, sharing it with Jack and Annie. They sat on the steps and enjoyed the delicious meal; after finishing it, they shared a glass, feeling content and satisfied. Dipper expressed his gratitude and told them how much he appreciated their help. Before Jack and Annie could respond, Dipper thanked them again and left. Not wanting to fail their mission, Jack and Annie found him alone in a kitchen, washing dishes. Dipper explained that he was doing this to pay for their dinner. Jack and Annie offered to help, and they joined him in the messy, smelly task of cleaning plates. As they worked, Annie asked Dipper how he stays so cheerful despite his hard life, and he shared that he prefers to feel everything, even the tough emotions, rather than complaining. Jack and Annie were inspired by his positive attitude. After finishing the dishes, Dipper invites them to a nearby river cafe for dessert, assuring them that they’re welcome there, even though the waiters didn’t always like them.

In the midst of a storm, the wind and rain intensified, and the three friends rushed down Bourbon Street, getting soaked as they made their way back. The street had emptied, with partygoers and street performers seeking shelter. Lightning lit up the sky, and thunder shook the ground. As the wind picked up debris, Dipper urged everyone to find cover. They ran towards a dark building where they were greeted by Little Mac, Happy, and Big Nose Sidney, who called out for them to get out of the street to avoid the lightning. Grateful for the shelter, the drenched group took refuge inside an old blacksmith's shop as a storm rages outside. The shop has been empty for years, and there were rumors that it's haunted. Jack and the others were hesitant, but when the storm intensified, they decided to stay. However, when they tried to leave, they found that the door wouldn’t open. The atmosphere became eerie, with the wind howling and shutters banging against the walls. Dipper attempted to light a match but was unsure if it would work due to the rain. The group grew increasingly uneasy as they realized they’re stuck in the dark, creepy building filled with cobwebs, broken furniture, and mysterious sounds. As they struggled with limited light, Dipper managed to light two lanterns, casting an eerie glow throughout the room. Suddenly, strange noises and footsteps from a back room made them anxious. They realized that a ghostly presence might be lurking nearby! To confront the ghost, Jack and Annie used the magic trumpet and sing a song to ward it off. At first, Jack felt embarrassed by his song, but remembering Dipper’s advice to put his heart into it, he continued, singing from the heart to push the ghost away. Their efforts seemed to work, and they heard thumping and whispers from the other room. Dipper investigated and found Little Mac, Happy, and Big Nose Sidney. The three boys were playing a prank by just pretending to be ghosts! They admit to sneaking around and causing the eerie sounds, but Jack and Annie’s music unknowingly helped.

Heebie Jeebie Trumpet

Dipper playing a trumpet with Jack and Annie making ghost pirates dance.

Suddenly, a cold wind blew through the room, extinguishing the lanterns. Next, an eerie green light filled the blacksmith's shop, and a voice roared that it wasn’t afraid of ghosts. The kids screamed as a real ghostly pirate, named Jean Lafitte, appears. His appearance was frightening, but he was translucent, and his voice booms with authority. The ghost declares that they are trapped, and soon more pirate ghosts started to appear, surrounding the group. Panic set in, but Jack tried to scare them away by singing a silly song. When that didn’t work, Dipper played a lively tune on a trumpet, and the ghostly pirates stopped their terrifying antics to listen. The ghost pirates, including Jean Lafitte, began to dance to the music, and soon the entire room is filled with their lively movements. As Dipper continued to play, Jack and Annie joined in with makeshift drums, and the trio sang the "Heebie-Jeebie" song. Eventually, the ghosts, including their captain, danced out of the shop and disappeared into the night, bidding the kids to return next year. The whole experience was surreal, filled with music and laughter, leaving behind a sense of joy rather than fear.

After their intense encounter with ghostly pirates, Dipper and the others emerged into the quiet night, with the rain and wind subsiding. Dipper, having played his trumpet, explained his musical past and the long hours he worked hauling coal. Though he had an invitation to perform on a riverboat, he initially declined, feeling obligated to his job. However, Jack and Annie tried to persuade him to follow his musical passion. While waiting for Dipper to return with donuts, Jack and Annie began to worry about their mission. They decided to share their research book with Dipper, showing him the story of Louis Armstrong, a musician who played on riverboats and became famous worldwide. This story resonated with Dipper, who revealed that he’s always had a dream of playing music despite his troubled past, which led to his time in a waif's home. Encouraged by the story, Dipper agreed to play music again and decides to join the riverboat band. Jack and Annie reassure him that he can balance his job with his musical dreams, and they shared a moment of friendship. As they walked through the city, Dipper reveals the harsh realities of racial segregation, explaining that black people and white people were not allowed to sit together on streetcars. Jack and Annie shared their hope for a future where things will change, including an African American president. Despite the grim reality, Dipper laughed, embracing the idea of a better future.

At the end, they parted ways, with Jack and Annie boarding the streetcar. They waved goodbye to Dipper, feeling hopeful about both their mission and the potential for change. In this chapter, Jack and Annie ride a streetcar down Canal Street in New Orleans, where Jack noticed the segregation, with African Americans sitting in the back and white people in the front. This made him feel heavy-hearted and confused, wondering why people would treat others differently based on color, especially someone as kind and friendly as Dipper. As they left the streetcar, they made their way to the treehouse by the Mississippi River. While there, they spotted a riverboat with Dipper playing music, and they listened to the joyful sounds until the boat disappeared from view.

Back in the treehouse, they wished they could stay longer but decided to head home. The treehouse spun, and they returned to their own time, in the rain. As they walked through the woods, they reflected on their journey, feeling a mix of emotions. They're glad they accomplished their mission, but they also felt mad about the segregation, sad about not seeing Dipper again, and a little scared when thinking about the spiders and ghosts they encountered. They found comfort in knowing they could always hear Dipper’s music in the world around them, even in the sounds of rain and their footsteps. They ran home appreciating the music of life.

Notes on time and place settings[]

Trivia[]

  • At the beginning of the book, there is a passage from Louis Armstrong's autobiography, Satchmo: My Life in New Orleans. "I was so happy I did not know what to do. I had hit the big time. I was up North [playing] with the greats. ... My boyhood dream had come true at last." This was said when Armstrong played with his idol, and future mentor and teacher, King Oliver.
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