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Time Warp Trio #14

Da Wild, Da Crazy, Da Vinci #14

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You probably know that Leonardo da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa. Didyou know that he also invented an early version of a helicopter and a tank, and that he planned to execute the Time Warp Trio for spying on his inventions? Sam's bright idea to look for the inventor of the Book takes the guys to 15th century Italy to meet up with Leonardo. But it's going to take at least three more bright ideas, two magic tricks, and one great invention to get them out of trouble and safely back home. If not, it could be a lifetime of Italian army toilet-cleaning detail for Joe, Sam, and Fred.

72 pages, Paperback

First published September 27, 2004

4 people are currently reading
239 people want to read

About the author

Jon Scieszka

244 books1,555 followers
Jon Scieszka is an American children's writer, best known for picture books created with the illustrator Lane Smith. He is also a nationally recognized reading advocate, and the founder of Guys Read – a web-based literacy program for boys whose mission is "to help boys become self-motivated, lifelong readers."

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5 stars
124 (31%)
4 stars
143 (36%)
3 stars
103 (26%)
2 stars
18 (4%)
1 star
8 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
Profile Image for Reanna.
187 reviews28 followers
May 30, 2016
This was cute, my son enjoyed it but you may have to be a super nerd to really enjoy it. I kid...a little. We may check out some more of these at some point. :)
2,783 reviews44 followers
February 28, 2022
Joe, Sam and Fred have a book that when they open it emits a vapor that will serve as a time machine. In this adventure, they go back in time to Italy during the life of Leonardo Da Vinci. Considered by many to be the all-time greatest breadth of talent, Da Vinci had a wild imagination, a sound scientific mind and the skills of the most talented of artists.
When they go back, they have no trouble finding Da Vinci, unfortunately they also meet Lord Borgia, Captain Nassti and Niccolo Machiavelli. The minds of these people are on war and the power to make more effective war, so they have no interest in anything that is not a war machine. Therefore, the Time Warp Trio ends up cleaning the toilets in the army of Lord Borgia. It is only after they come up with some clever ruses that they recover the book that allows them to return to their proper time.
History presented in an accurate and interesting way is history learned and in this case there are some laughs included. Written for the young child, it will also teach some basic history about one of the greatest personalities of history.
1,991 reviews
March 14, 2020
Read for Battle of the Books.

I enjoy the Time Warp Trio, and I think they are great books for boys that can get them interested in history and science fiction, but they are always just a hit or miss with me. There is a lot of potty humor in these, so I'm not always a fan, and the way the plot works just doesn't always seem cohesive to me. I also realize that I am not the demographic for this book, so that's okay with me.
Profile Image for Jessica.
5,026 reviews4 followers
July 11, 2025
Joe, Fred and Sam go back to Italy during the time of Leonardo da Vinci. I enjoy reading historical fiction that includes famous figures from the past. I like reading different authors' takes on what those people may have been like. And I loved Scieszka's portrayal of da Vinci. Comical and clever installment to the series.
542 reviews1 follower
July 25, 2018
I finally read one of the Time Warp Trio books and I can see why they would appeal to boys. Some mild toilet humor and silliness. A very short read for reluctant readers.
Profile Image for Karen.
Author 10 books30 followers
November 8, 2018
This book was super-fun, especially for kids who are intrigued by history, inventions, and DaVinci.
Profile Image for Mete.
41 reviews
January 4, 2021
Çok güzel bir kitap. Ayrıca üç kafadarın ve Leonardo'nun yaptığı proje gerçekten çok mantıklı.
1 review2 followers
January 21, 2025
It was good, but I hate the part when the three friends have to clean the toilets and captain. Nasty told them to.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Marion.
547 reviews
November 13, 2025
I do enjoy the places the trio sees and the people they meet.
Profile Image for Dolly.
Author 1 book671 followers
August 10, 2014
This is a fun book in the Time Warp Trio series. We have only read one other book in the series, but I think we're hooked. It's similar to the "Magic Tree House" series, only with more wit, goofiness, sarcasm, spunk, and boy appeal. Still, our girls like the stories, and Jon Scieszka is one of our favorite authors. We liked this story; we read Mary Pope Osborne's Monday with a Mad Genius recently and were eager to read more about Leonardo da Vinci.
25 reviews1 follower
April 19, 2009
Sam, Joe and Fred head back to the time of Leonardo Da Vinci hoping that he is the inventor of The Book and can tell them how it works. They run into trouble when they cross paths with Captain Nassti who just wants to blow things up and go to battle. In order to avoid scrubbing the latrine for twenty-five years, the trio and Leonardo Da Vinci must invent something to help Nassti and his boss, Lord Borgia, defeat the Town of Urbo. What genius invention do they produce to make everyone happy?
Profile Image for Michael.
Author 8 books9 followers
September 9, 2016
A quick clever read. Who would think three kids from Brooklyn could affect history, but there they go, saving Leonardo da Vinci from the machinations of Borgia and Machiavelli. Along with some good pranks and humor about toilets, there's some action and science involved for light educational benefits.

Bad news for those who have been vaccinated against cooties: there are no women in this book at all! Oh well, maybe next time the TWT will visit Marie Curie. We will have to wait and see...

Profile Image for The Brothers.
4,118 reviews24 followers
January 23, 2016
Another fun-filled, toilet-referencing, adventure for the time war trio of Joe, Fred, and Sam. This time Sam thinks he's nailed down the creator of The Book (he thinks it's Leonardo da Vinci) and the three are off to ask him how it works. Along the way they meet some notable men of da Vinci's time, including Machiavelli.
Profile Image for Christy.
Author 15 books67 followers
July 31, 2011
Time warp Trio visit Leonardo DaVinci. Kids see his invention. Soldier takes them to clean toilets. They get back to DaVinci and help him with the dimensions of the man with the multiple arms. Find the book with DaVinci and get home.
Profile Image for Carolyn.
383 reviews19 followers
March 19, 2008
AR 3.6 -- 1.0

Boys travel back in time to meet DaVinci, the inventor or the Time Warp book.
Profile Image for Jay.
1 review
April 17, 2012
These crazy books called time warp trio lead a life for characters called Fred, Sam & Joe and the book. They are great fantasy books to read.
Profile Image for Stephanie.
447 reviews
September 20, 2016
Love, but maybe more background on DaVinci would be helpful. Not all my young readers will know who this is. But still, love!
Profile Image for Cana.
534 reviews
Want to read
August 24, 2009
Mommy says: Cana started to read it on her own 8/2009 but was not interested. Maybe later.
Profile Image for Pam.
1,798 reviews
February 10, 2015
BOB Racine 2014-15. Juvenile historical fiction. A look into Leonardo Da Vinci's life. Humorous.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews

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