This first instalment of the Canadian Magic Tree House introduces our two protagonists Emily and Matt to us, as well as to each other. They also discover a magical red sled (the Red Flyer of the series title) in the tower room of Emilie's new house. It transports them to the deck of Martin Frobisher's ship The Aid in 1577.

As I mentioned, this series is the Canadian Magic Tree House. It is an early chapter book that is short enough (66 pages of story) and has simple enough language to appeal to the young reader. It also is an nice entry point for discussion on how the Europeans treated the Aboriginals. Cute book, almost too Canadian in its earnestness to be politically correct.