Harper Wells Renegade Timeline Officer by Bethany Loveridge

Harper Wells (Harrie) is a twelve-year-old girl whose mother disappeared without trace from her job as a scientist in an Australian museum. Over the 6 years since her disappearance Harrie’s father has grieved and been unbearably protective of her. Her elder brother teases her mercilessly. At last Harrie gets to have her own bedroom and buys a second-hand bed from an op shop. The bed, made of rare Wollemi pine, has fantastic powers, and she finds herself transported back to various times. On the first of these trips, she meets Edith Cowan, an important Australian social reformer. Harrie is recruited to be a time traveller and takes over the role of the previous owner of the bed, Officer 42. In her training she learns her role is to make sure that past events stick to the script. However, there are insidious characters who are trying to mess with this history and it is difficult to tell who is genuinely helpful. 

Bethany Loveridge uses time travelling as a device to educate readers about different eras in Australian history. She also casts a light on the beauty of the natural environment. There is a lot happening in this adventure and many thought-provoking details. For example, how one of the characters describes the concept of time as being non-linear. Given some of the complexities it is ideal for confident middle years readers, particularly those who like a touch of fantasy. Harper Wells has similarities to Playing Beatie Bow or Kate Gordon’s novel, Whalesong. Harrie is a likeable character with her good moral compass and resilience. This story is the first of a trilogy and you are led to hope that Harrie somehow finds her mother. No doubt she will have many exciting experiences time travelling in Australia’s past. 

Themes: Time travel, Mystery, Australian history, Resilience.

Jo Marshall