To the Future, Ben Franklin!

It was a hot summer afternoon.
Jack and Annie sat in their living room. Jack was reading a book about weather. Annie was looking out the window.
Let s go do something, she said.
Too hot, said Jack.
We could ride our bikes to the lake, Annie said. And go swimming.
No way, said Jack.
We could
Shh, please, said Jack. I m trying to read.
Annie was quiet for a moment. Then she gasped.
Oh, wow, lightning! I just saw a flash of lightning out there, she said.
You re joking, said Jack. Nice try.
No joke! I saw it! said Annie.
There s not a single cloud, said Jack. You need clouds to have lightning.
Then it must have been . . . magic! said Annie. Come on, let s go!
No, thanks. Have fun, said Jack.
You ll be sorry, said Annie as she rushed outside.
Jack waited for Annie to come back in from the heat. He waited and waited. But she didn t return.
Jack put down his book. I d better check, he said to himself. He picked up his backpack and headed outside.
Oh, man, Jack thought as he headed up the sidewalk. It must be a hundred degrees in the sun.
By the time Jack reached the Frog Creek woods, he was sweaty and out of breath. He crossed the street and walked between the trees. Even in the shade, the air was muggy.
Jack tramped through the woods until he came to the tallest oak.
Hey there, said Annie. She was leaning against the trunk of the tree. Next to a dangling rope ladder.
I told you it was no joke, said Annie.
Right. No joke, Jack said with a grin.
Annie grabbed the ladder and started up.
Jack followed. As they climbed into the magic tree house, golden sunlight slanted across the floor. The warm wood had a deep, rich smell of summer. In a shadowy corner was a piece of parchment.
A note from Morgan, said Jack. He picked up the note and read aloud:
 
In Old Philadelphia,
A paper must be signed.
Help Doctor Ben
Make up his mind.
 
Doctor Ben? said Jack. Is Ben his last name

MARY POPE OSBORNE is the author of the New York Times #1 bestselling Magic Tree House series as well as co-author of the Magic Tree House Fact Tracker series, along with her husband, Will, and her sister, Natalie Pope Boyce.

For more information, visit the Magic Tree House® website at MagicTreeHouse.com!

AG FORD is a New York Times bestselling children's book illustrator and recipient of two NAACP Image Awards. He grew up in Dallas with his mom, his dad, two sisters, and one brother. He majored in illustration at the Columbus College of Art and Design. He lives with his family in Frisco, Texas. Visit him online at agfordillustration.com.