The kid who fell through time by Greg James & Chris Smith
The Kid Who Fell Through Time is a hilariously funny, fast-paced adventure that blends laugh-out-loud humour with historical curiosity and discovery. Schoolboy Angus is your typical student who finds textbook history dull and pointless, until the night he’s accidentally whisked away to Roman Britain in the most unlikely of vehicles - a shopping trolley time machine, piloted by a cheese enthusiast from the local shop. What starts as crazy chaos soon becomes the most exciting homework opportunity in history - literally.
After returning from his first journey, Angus writes an epic history assignment that not only earns him top marks but also wins an award, making his parents beam with pride. Hooked on the thrill of success (and the rush of adventure), Angus decides to try travelling back in time to collect more first-hand “research” for school. But as anyone who’s dabbled in time travel knows, things never go quite as planned and the twists and turn that this story provides will not disappoint.
Greg James and Chris Smith’s witty, casual writing style makes this book an entertaining and easy read. The authors frequently ‘break the fourth wall’, talking directly to the reader with cheeky digressions that add to the fun. Scattered throughout are clever nuggets of real historical information, presented with the help of the wonderfully odd ‘Fact Pig’, a recurring character who pops up with quirky historical facts. This blend of silliness and genuine learning makes the novel both entertaining and sneakily educational.
Erica Salcedo’s amusing black-and-white illustrations perfectly captures the zany energy of the characters and adventures; adding loads of visual humour and helping to bring the madcap time-travel sequences to life.
Perfect for readers who love stories that are a fast and fun, with a bonus of some history too. A brilliant, bonkers and brainy read that will have kids laughing and learning without even realising it.
Themes: History, Humour, Time travel.
Michelle O'Connell