The Time Travelers- Linda Buckley-Archer

The Time Travelers is the first of a series called The Gideon Trilogy. The cover suggests that it is for “kids who love Harry Potter.” Although it certainly falls into the fantasy category, there is not really a lot to compare. Nonetheless, this is once again a well-written, interesting fantasy. Pete and Kate, recent acquaintances, are propelled back in time to England of 1763 through an antigravity machine that Kate’s father has been working on. There they are befriended and cared for by Gideon, sometime cutpurse turned honest. Even more terrifying than being swept back into a world which is barely recognizable, is the fact that the notorious Tar Man has their gravity machine and wants to make a deal with them for it. As Pete and Kate travel across England with Gideon and some other very interesting characters, they meet up with adventures you might expect in an England of lawless times. I believe this author has done her research well; the language. the clothing, the characterization has a ring of authenticity. It becomes more intriguing as Pete and Kate discover they can “fade” back to their own world where they appear ghost-like in outlandish costume. Although Kate’s father begins to recognize what has happened, he and his colleagues deem it wise not to release what they believe is happening, much to the annoyance of the inspector in charge of the case.

Again, this is a novel that I found most engaging and would likely appeal to readers from about grade 5 and up. High school fantasy readers might also find themselves engrossed in this tale. Indeed, once again, I will be interested in continuing this series for my own reading pleasure.