After reading Carnival at Candlelight, I can now say that I have read my first Magic Tree House book! I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was able to read this book from front to back without putting it down and that says a lot because I am not one to sit and read. After reading the back of the book I knew it was going to be filled with excitement and adventure. Could Jack and Annie really save Venice from a terrible disaster? Of course, they could and thats just what they did. I loved how the book kept my attention from beginging to end. If it can keep a twenty year olds attention, I know an upper elementary student would be activley enagged in this book. I iked how it followed a typical story line by first introducing us to Jack and Annie and their passion for magic. As the story goes on they are faced with challenges and obstacles that lead up to a climax, with Jack and Annie flying on the lions back and finding Neptune and finally saving the Grand Lady of the Lagoon. This book is excellent for upper elementary readers because it requires the use of an imagination and them being able to follow a sequence of events as well as introducing other parts of the world to them. This book can be used in so many ways such as incorporating history and encouraging creative writing. Overall, I thought this was a very interesting and exciting book that is an excellent choice for teachers to allow their children to read.