High Time for Heroes is the 51st book in the Magic Tree House Book Series.
Summary[]
Jack and Annie are magically transported to mid-1800s Thebes, Egypt, where they are saved from a dangerous accident by Florence Nightingale.
Chapters[]
- I Know Her!
- Welcome to Thebes!
- Beasts on the Nile
- Baboon Babysitters
- Valley of the Queens
- No Big Deal
- Panic
- Moon Over the Nile
- Heroes of the Dawn
- Good-Bye, Thebes!
Plot[]
Jack was reading about magic tricks to put on a show for his parents and grandparents. As he sipped lemonade and wrote down some ideas, Annie heard something outside. Jack doubted it was the magic tree house; they checked the woods five times since Tuesday. This time it was real, and inside was a message from Merlin. It said that the third secret of greatness they will find will be from Florence Nightingale, Annie knew and idolized her. In the 1800’s the English army fought in the Crimea on the Black Sea, Nightingale was a nurse and people called her the Lady with the Lamp because the hospital was quiet at night and she went alone. However, they were going to Egypt in 1850, thousands of years after they met that ghost-queen. Annie would now wear the Ring of Truth, they still had the bottle of mist and the notebook that had the first two secrets: humility and hard work.
Jack and Annie arrived in Thebes, Egypt, where Jack was dressed for exploration while Annie wished she could be as prepared. They spotted donkeys and a boy named Ali, who offered them a guide. Ali explained that his grandfather could take them to the tombs or the Temple of Luxor. Jack realized they've landed in ancient Thebes, once the capital of the world. After some conversation, they met an English couple, Charles and Selena Bracebridge, who were traveling with Florence Nightingale. The couple revealed that Florence wasn't the famous nurse Jack and Annie expected, but she was indeed a remarkable woman. They traveled to the Bracebridge's sailboat, where they met some aristocratic characters, including Lord and Lady Bickerson. Inside, Florence eventually arrived and clarified that she was who had been helping sick villagers. She loved studying Egyptian ruins and mythology, while the aristocrats complained about the discomforts of Egypt. Despite the differences, Jack and Annie remained curious about Florence's adventures.
After Florence left the room feeling unwell, the Bickersons criticized her behavior, with Lady Bickerson lamenting her lack of proper behavior. When Jack and Annie defended Florence, Lord Bickerson demanded they leave, threatening to call the governor. As they left, they headed toward a shady spot, and soon the baby baboon, Koku, appeared, having followed them after being kicked off the boat by the Bickersons. The countess, grateful for their support, asked Jack and Annie to babysit Koku for the afternoon while she visited a sick friend.
Jack and Annie agreed, despite their mission to discover a secret of greatness, and cared for Koku. As they walked along the riverbank, they spotted Florence heading toward Mustafa to visit the Valley of the Queens. Jack and Annie decided to follow her, hoping to learn more about her greatness. Along the way, they rented donkeys and began their journey through the desert, encountering ancient ruins and large statues.
As they continued, they lost sight of Florence and Mustafa but were intrigued by the tombs of the Pharaoh's wives in the cliffs. Annie, curious, wanted to explore, but Jack felt uneasy. He insisted on leaving, but Annie ventured to peek inside one tomb. The donkeys began acting strangely, and Koku shrieked, signaling danger. Jack and Annie realized they were being approached by two jackals. As the jackals ran towards, Annie called out in panic as they chased after Koku, a baby baboon. Koku ran toward a cliff, with the jackals in pursuit, and vanished into a crack between two cliffs. Jack raced to Annie’s side, and they both tried to get through the narrow opening but couldn’t fit. They heard Koku’s cries, but the sounds faded, making Annie fear the worst. However, Koku was spotted atop the cliff, safe but too scared to come down. Jack and Annie decided to use magic mist to become expert rock climbers, and they climbed up to rescue Koku.
After reaching the top, Koku grabbed Jack’s ear, causing him to lose his grip and almost fall. Annie saved him, and Jack regained his focus, successfully reaching the top. The three of them sat and rested, with Jack feeling a sense of calm as the sun set. They noticed two figures in the distance—Florence and Mustafa—and decided to catch up with them. But as they began descending, Jack struggled, slipping and falling hard on the ground. Annie and Koku were also injured, but Jack helped Annie to her feet, assuring her they would be fine and encouraging them to keep moving.
Jack and Annie struggled as they made their way through the Valley of the Queens, with Jack helping Annie, who was injured. The eerie atmosphere was intensified by their fear of jackals and tomb raiders. They eventually spotted a flickering light and were relieved to see Florence Nightingale and Mustafa arrive, offering help. Florence attended to their injuries, providing Jack with a sling for his dislocated shoulder and wrapping Annie’s sprained ankle.
They were escorted to a boat, where they were safely taken across the Nile. On the other side, Florence continued to care for them, and they had a conversation about Florence’s dream of being a nurse, despite her family’s restrictions. Florence believed a life should have meaning and purpose, which resonated with Jack and Annie, especially as the magical ring glowed brighter in response to her words. Countess von Kenski and Koku returned and thanked Jack and Annie before they all left for Cairo. Jack and Annie prepared to leave Thebes, and Florence helped them with some medical supplies and a wooden crutch for Annie. They met up with Mustafa and Ali, who were going to help them cross the Nile. Before they departed, they said their goodbyes to Charles and Selena, who expressed their well wishes. The group headed to the riverbank, where Florence bade them farewell with a radiant smile, and Mustafa rowed them across the river. Once on the other side, Jack offered Mustafa a tip for his help, but he refused, explaining that he had helped out of kindness, not for money.
Jack and Annie made their way to the sycamore tree, and despite their injuries, managed to climb the ladder to the treehouse. As the treehouse spun, they returned home, relieved to find that their injuries were healed. Jack added the third secret of greatness—meaning and purpose—to their list. They reflected on Florence's and Mustafa's meaningful lives, then headed home, happy to be back and looking forward to a simpler life.
Notes on time and place settings[]
Trivia[]
- This is the second book that plays out in Egypt, the first one being Mummies in the Morning.