Abe Lincoln and the Selfie That Saved the Union

October 1, 2015
In the second installment of the Left Behinds series, 12-year-old Mel and friends Brandon and Bev travel back to July 1, 1863, to try to foil a nefarious plot to change the course of history. The trio have just returned from saving George Washington and the American Revolution when they are whisked back in time to the Battle of Gettysburg. The co-inventor of the iTime app has gone bad and aims to make a fortune out of holding the course of history hostage. The bumbling trio of private school kids is determined to thwart him while avoiding being trapped in the past. It's a race to be in the right place at the right moment, and in the hubbub, the kids manage to injure the first lady, supply Abraham Lincoln with his famous opening line ("Four score and seven years ago"), survive a train crash, and wrestle a fake Confederate soldier to the ground. The narrative is pure fun, relying on the delicious notion that history is far from immutable and is in fact full of what-ifs. The madcap story may just inspire readers to want to learn more about the Civil War, and a superb recommended-readings section lists many of the best books on the subject for young readers. History made silly for readers who can't get into it straight. (websites of interest) (Science fiction. 8-12)

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February 1, 2016

Gr 3-7-Mel, Bev and Brandon are back with another time traveling adventure at the will of Professor Montcrieff and his iTime app. This time around, the kids (known as The Left Behinds) are transported back to the 1860's. Upon their arrival, they immediately meet First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln who mistakes one of them for her deceased son, Willie. Upon their arrival to The White House, they are dragged into helping stop a person from their time with interfering with The Battle of Gettysburg. Young readers who enjoy historical fiction as well as those who like a bit of fantasy in their reads will appreciate this outing. Those with no knowledge of the first book will have no problem hopping on this one with the inclusion of a recap in the first chapter. Expansive back matter, including an author's note, websites and age appropriate recommended reading, is a fine addition to this rollicking good time.

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