RESCUES IN TIME

Ranger always knew he was destined to be a search-and-rescue dog. He’s had all the proper training, and with his powerful nose he’s never failed to find his mark. Sure the spirited golden retriever has a tendency to be distracted by squirrels, but really, what dog could possibly resist the allure of a bushy tail racing past? 

It’s during one of these exuberant squirrel chases that Ranger uncovers a mysterious metal box in his backyard and suddenly finds himself traveling back in time to Independence, Missouri, circa 1850. Though Ranger longs to be reunited with his own family in his own time, it’s soon clear to him that he’s been sent to watch over the Abbott family as they embark on the historic Oregon Trail and that he won’t return home until this mission is complete. 

Fans of Mary Pope Osborne’s The Magic Treehouse Series will enjoy this well-researched historical (with a hint of magic) tale. Ranger in Time: Rescue on the Oregon Trail by Kate Messner is the first of a series, followed by Danger in Ancient Rome (June 2015) and Long Road to Freedom (December 2015). The book includes an author’s note with historical background and references. 

For grades 2-4.

ONE MAGICAL SUMMER

A review by Theresa:  

Summer is supposed to the best time of the year. It should be a time of no school, no homework, and no schedules just lots of free time to do what you want and hang out with your friends. For Ashley it is just the opposite. Her best friend is going off to camp and then moving across the county. They had planned to spend their last weeks together but instead Ashley has to entertain some strange little girl her mother has invited to come and stay with them for the first three weeks of summer. 

Life looks bleak for her as she faces the worst summer of her life. Without her best friend Lucy she wonders how she will cope with the rare condition that causes her brain not to recognize people even if she knows them well. But cope she does even when Claire, the summer visitor, turns her life upside down and Ashley finds a magic wish jar in the basement that has the power to send her back to a time of two girls very much her and Lucy. Before she knows it the three weeks she had dreaded and all the changes this summer brought to her life mean that her worst summer might just be the best one ever. 

Dreamer, Wisher, Liar by Charise Harper is best for readers in grades 5-8.

THE POSSIBILITY OF CHANGING THE PAST

Thirteen-year-old Margaret O’Malley’s world is turned upside down when the corrupt Judge Biggs sentences her father to death for burning down a Victory Fuels building and killing a person trapped inside. Margaret knows that her father did not do it, and that his sentencing was in retaliation for uncovering a secret that Victory Fuels wanted to keep hidden at any cost. Desperate to save his life, Margaret decides to do the thing that she knows she shouldn’t – use the O’Malley gift to go back in time to change the events that made Lucas Biggs into the man who sentenced an innocent man to die. But Margaret will discover that changing the past means more than changing history, and that no one is beyond saving - from themselves or others.

Saving Lucas Biggs is a page-turner with lots of mystery, action, history, and a touch of science fiction, and will appeal to boys and girls in grades 5 and up.

KEEP CALM AND TIME TRAVEL

Lee Jones and Joan Lee are opposites in name and personality, but they are also BFFs.  They do everything together - even without knowing.  The night before their 8th grade trip, their parents both tell them they're getting divorced - right after dinner and just before dessert.  After this horrible news, the next morning, they discover that instead of going to California Dreaming, the BEST amusement park ever, their 8th grade trip will take place at a Fort.  The fort sounds like a horrible field trip until they fall asleep in the fort's lighthouse and wake up in past San Francisco - 1863 to be exact.  On their way to trying to figure out how they got to 1863 and how they're going to get home (or if they even want to live in a world with divorced parents and separate high schools), they befriend another time traveler, Samuel Clemens, who teaches them a thing or two about getting around the Wild West.

Lewis Buzbee's middle-grade novel Bridge of Time is perfect for 6th through 8th graders looking for adventure and excitement with a little SciFi and Historical Fiction thrown in.

A TIME TRAVELING HOUSE WITH BASEBALL INCLUDED

A review of 13 Hangmen by Art Corriveau from Mr. B at the Grandview Branch of GPL.

Here’s a novel about baseball, time travel, murder, and history. Oh, and not just regular Dan Gutman baseball and trading card time travel, but the kind based on the theory that all of life past and present is happening all at once in parallel universes. The events at 13 Hangmen Court, Boston, are triggered by the death of amateur detective Tony’s great uncle, Zio Angelo. As his 13th birthday approaches, Tony inherits Zio Angelo’s 200 year old decaying house with the stipulation he sleep in Zio Angelo’s old bedroom. The room, Tony discovers, is a portal to parallel universes.

As 13-year-old boys appear and disappear, it becomes apparent to Tony that all the boys are living in the room at the same time, but in their own universes. The 13-year old boys include Tony; his great-uncle Zio Angelo who at 13 is friends with rookie Red Sox player Ted Williams; a run-away slave on the Underground Railroad; Paul Revere’s silversmith apprentice, and others. Together, as the portal allows, they solve a 200 year old mystery, save the house from demolition by the health and safety department, and solve the murder of Zio Angelo.

This well written, well researched, multi-leveled historical adventure may not be for every 13-year-old, but those willing to tackle it will not be disappointed. Maybe someone will send a copy to Tim Burton – it’s ripe for a film version. 

For readers in grades 6th- and older.   

STEALING A LIFE

13 year old Caleb feels like his world is crashing down around him.  His best friend seems to be in love with his number one enemy and he's beginning to think that the career path he's on isn't for him.  Caleb is a professional thief who travels through time to steal and sell famous objects for his adopted Uncle.  Uncle is looking to expand his business, stopping at nothing to make money and becoming dangerous to anyone who stands in his way.  Can Caleb get out of the family business in one piece?  What will he do with his future if he succeeds?

In an action-packed novel, Time Snatchers by Richard Ungar will snatch readers in grades 5-8 and transport them into a not so distant future.

RUBIES ARE A GIRLS BEST FRIEND

I have just now finished RUBY RED by Kerstin Gier, the first of three books, and I CANNOT WAIT for the next one! The story takes place in England, so some of the language takes a little getting used to, but the characters will jump under your skin from the very first page. Gwen/Gwyneth is an ordinary modern day girl, or so it seems. But her family has many secrets, ones for which her cousin Charlotte has spent her entire life preparing. What's the secret? The ability to time travel! That much I can tell you, but you'll be surprised what happens to Charlotte, Gwen and a boy named Gideon in this century and throughout centuries of the past! I'm ordering Sapphire Blue as soon as possible! For grades 6 and up.

BLOODY BATTLES OF SCOTLAND

Alex is off to Scotland to visit his Aunt Fiona, and hopefully find his parents who disappeared while on vacation there. As it turns out, his aunt is sick and he is sent to live with the neighbors McRae, who have three kids his own age. All is going well until Alex decides to explore the Castle Duncragglin caves that he heard about from a strange professor sitting next to him on the flight over. Suddenly, Alex and the McRae kids find themselves dodging soldiers and fighting alongside the famous Sir William Wallace, who freed Scotland from a mean English king. As Alex and his friends try to get back to modern times, the experience many exciting adventures along the way. THE BATTLE OF DUNCRAGGLIN by Andrew H. Vanderwal starts a little slow, but will please any avid historical fiction reader. For grades 5-8.

THE MAGIC HALF OF YOURSELF?

Imagine if there was another you, living in a different time period with a different family, in the same house! That's what happens to Miri when her family moves to a new house in the country - well almost. Miri finds the lens from a pair of eyeglasses taped to the wall in her bedroom, and when she looks through the lens, she ends up in the past! From the author of the "Ivy & Bean" series, THE MAGIC HALF by Annie Barrows is a delightful quick read that's just great for readers just starting out with longer chapter books. For grades 4 and up.

ANOTHER WORLD

Things change from day to day. But very rarely do they change SO much that you leave the world as you know it and go on an adventure in realms unknown. That's what happens to Arthur Penhaligon in the first book of The Keys to the Kingdom series entitled MISTER MONDAY by Garth Nix. On the brink of death due to asthma attack, Arthur is introduced to a world so strange, dark and weird, he saves himself with a mere curiosity for what might happen next. And a special key he is given by an odd, pale man in a wheelchair. Mister Monday himself! An exciting journey through many layers of other worlds, some dark, dreary caves, or jungles full of dinosaurs, with not a lot of hope. For those too old for Lemony Snicket's books, this is a great series kick-off for grades 6 and up.

HISTORICAL FICTION FANS!

For those of you not yet familiar, it is time to read The Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Starting with LITTLE HOUSE IN THE BIG WOODS, the story of this pioneer family begins to unravel as they leave their family and home and head out West. The main character is Laura, who tells all about Ma and Pa, and her sisters Mary and Carrie. Meeting “Indians” while they trek across the prairie in their covered wagon, wading with slimy creatures in a pond, there are some happenings that will make you cry, but many more that will have you laughing yourself out of your chair! Other titles include FARMER BOY, a book about her husband when he was young and lived on a farm, LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, ON THE BANKS OF PLUM CREEK, BY THE SHORES OF SILVER LAKE, THE LONG WINTER, LITTLE TOWN ON THE PRARIE, and THESE HAPPY GOLDEN YEARS. Each volume depicts a certain point in the life of Laura and her family and the exciting things that happen to them over the years. For grades 4 and up.

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN EMBARASSED BY YOUR MOM?

Well, just imagine how embarassed you'd be if your mom were a pirate! wants to go to school and learn how to read and make new friends, but he lives in a different time dimension and his mother is not cookie baking mini-van driving kind. He must keep everyone from finding out his true identity, until one day, when he can't keep his worlds apart any longer and it's a matter of life and death.

My Mom the Pirate by Jackie French is short, futuristic, historical, pirate, school action pack for readers in 2nd-4th grade.

TIME TRAVEL TO THE FUTURE!

It's 1995. Three adventurous boys set out on a typical field trip to the museum. They innocently try making their day more interesting, when suddenly...out of the blue...they end up 100 years in the future! They encounter annoying robots, anti-gravity flying discs and accidentally run into their granddaughters which could alter their futures forever! Exciting and fast-paced, good for boys and girls, 2095 by Jon Sciezka is another hilarious installment in the Time Warp Trio series. If you like this, try some others in the series like THE NOT-SO-JOLLY ROGER, YOUR MOTHER WAS A NEANDERTHAL, and DA WILD, DA CRAZY, DA VINCI! There's even Time Warp Trio in comic book style! For grades 3 and up.