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Return to Titanic #1
Time Voyage
On the first day of their spring break, best friends Tucker and Maya discover a "Special Collection" of Titanic artifacts at the local museum. But the artifacts have more power than they know. When they touch a magic ticket, Tucker and Maya find themselves transported 100 years in the past Ñ to Titanic's maiden voyage. Now they must figure out how to save a new friend, and return to the present, before time runs out.
112 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
12 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
About the author
Steve Brezenoff
89 books125 followersSteve Brezenoff is the author of the young adult novels The Absolute Value of -1 and Brooklyn, Burning, and his third, Guy In Real Life, will be released in 2014. He has also written dozens of chapter books for younger readers. Though Steve grew up in a suburb on Long Island, he now lives with his wife and their son in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
May 3, 2023
I chose this book because I love to learn about the Titanic. This book was too easy, has a boring plot, and was not enjoyable.
January 20, 2012
Holy crap. I have so much love for this book it's quite possibly bordering on unhealthy. The love is not just for the book's topic (MAJOR love) but for the writing. It's probably because I hardly read middle grade books but TIME VOYAGE is written so amazingly that I can't form thoughts beyond ill-conceived adjectives. There is no pandering to the reader whatsoever, no talking down, no kiddie feel. Yeah, it's written in a very precise way. Absolutely no fat (and as a result very little detail or depth) but Brezenoff wrote it in such a way that it told the story that needed to be told and you got out of it what you should. You get just enough emotion, just enough feeling, just enough depth to really connect with it. As someone that is WELL beyond middle grade reading, I didn't feel like an adult reading a kid's story (like when I read GOOSEBUMPS, for instance). I just felt like I was reading a succinct story about one of my favorite topics. The amazing pictures didn't hurt either. Okay, the kids may be a little whiny at first but that's short lived.
And the story! Just being able to touch a ticket and get zapped back in time? If you were a history nerd like me when you were younger (and maybe still are), if that fantastical thought never crossed your mind I will sit here and call you a big fat LIAR! That's epic fantasy right there and Brezenoff pulled it off without it being hokey at all. Touch the ticket, flash, back in time. No frilly waves or flashing lights. Just poof! Time warp.
Of course, TIME VOYAGE left me wanting MORE! How could it not? I read it in the span of roughly 20 minutes and it just hit all the right happy nerves on me. And let me tell you how giddy my inner Titanic nerd was. Insane. Thankfully there are three other books in this series and I so can't wait to read them. Between the phenomenal story and the absolutely amazing drawings to supplement it, RETURN TO TITANIC as a whole won't be a series to miss. So be sure to pick up TIME VOYAGE and start yourself, and any other Titanic aficionado you know, on the journey.
And the story! Just being able to touch a ticket and get zapped back in time? If you were a history nerd like me when you were younger (and maybe still are), if that fantastical thought never crossed your mind I will sit here and call you a big fat LIAR! That's epic fantasy right there and Brezenoff pulled it off without it being hokey at all. Touch the ticket, flash, back in time. No frilly waves or flashing lights. Just poof! Time warp.
Of course, TIME VOYAGE left me wanting MORE! How could it not? I read it in the span of roughly 20 minutes and it just hit all the right happy nerves on me. And let me tell you how giddy my inner Titanic nerd was. Insane. Thankfully there are three other books in this series and I so can't wait to read them. Between the phenomenal story and the absolutely amazing drawings to supplement it, RETURN TO TITANIC as a whole won't be a series to miss. So be sure to pick up TIME VOYAGE and start yourself, and any other Titanic aficionado you know, on the journey.
February 6, 2012
Tucker dreads the thought of spending his Spring Break cataloging things for his mom, a museum curator. At least he gets to endure the boredom with his best friend Maya. But things become anything but boring when he and Maya find a boarding ticket that transports them back in time to Queenston. Tucker and Maya then go from being bored to boarding a tender that will take them to the Titanic's historical voyage!
Thank you Capstone for the opportunity to read this e-galley! I not only look forward to this book's release, but I also look forward to reading the others in the series. What perfect timing to release this book around the Titanic's 100 year anniversary! I know many of my reluctant readers may also enjoy setting sail with this adventurous quick read!
Thank you Capstone for the opportunity to read this e-galley! I not only look forward to this book's release, but I also look forward to reading the others in the series. What perfect timing to release this book around the Titanic's 100 year anniversary! I know many of my reluctant readers may also enjoy setting sail with this adventurous quick read!
January 24, 2020
Just because you've seen the movie, doesn't make you an expert
Titanic children's books were everywhere at the point of the anniversary, and I have read quite a few of them now. They're short and simple, but at the same time, quite informative. This one, however, has been split into four separate books (reading order included at the end of the review), so you really will need to read them back to back, to get the full effect, as it's a bit of a let down otherwise.
This is illustrated by Scott Murphy, with quite detailed pencil-style drawings throughout. Scott has done quite well to stick to the storyline, and tie in the pictures to the main storyline, and remain consistent.
Steve Brezenoff has written a good, well researched storyline, which centres around Tucker and Maya, who are holiday from school, and having to help out Tucker's mum in the museum. They find a mystery box of Titanic artefacts, of which there are no records of - the box contains a cancelled Titanic ticket, a battered and worn lifejacket, and a broken violin. Touching the ticket flings them back in time, to the Titanic getting ready to leave Queenstown, and Liam Kearney and his parents getting ready to board.
Tucker and Maya also meet John Coffey (like the drink, only not spelt the same), a fireman who is deserting his post, who claims to have had a dream that the Titanic will sink. This was a real life person, who said that he deserted his post, due to having a dream. (There is a mini biography at the back about him.)
The book ends at page 105, with the Titanic shortly about to sail from Queenstown and leaves it annoyingly open ended, to continue onto the next book in the series. There is a brief passenger manifest at the back, and an "About the Titanic" section.
It is an excellent book if you want to get your kids interested in the Titanic, or reading as an adult, if that is where your interests lie. Just make sure that you have the next book ready to go, otherwise you will have a very disappointed child/adult!
Reading Order:
Time Voyage
Stowaways
An Unsinkable Ship
Overboard
Titanic children's books were everywhere at the point of the anniversary, and I have read quite a few of them now. They're short and simple, but at the same time, quite informative. This one, however, has been split into four separate books (reading order included at the end of the review), so you really will need to read them back to back, to get the full effect, as it's a bit of a let down otherwise.
This is illustrated by Scott Murphy, with quite detailed pencil-style drawings throughout. Scott has done quite well to stick to the storyline, and tie in the pictures to the main storyline, and remain consistent.
Steve Brezenoff has written a good, well researched storyline, which centres around Tucker and Maya, who are holiday from school, and having to help out Tucker's mum in the museum. They find a mystery box of Titanic artefacts, of which there are no records of - the box contains a cancelled Titanic ticket, a battered and worn lifejacket, and a broken violin. Touching the ticket flings them back in time, to the Titanic getting ready to leave Queenstown, and Liam Kearney and his parents getting ready to board.
Tucker and Maya also meet John Coffey (like the drink, only not spelt the same), a fireman who is deserting his post, who claims to have had a dream that the Titanic will sink. This was a real life person, who said that he deserted his post, due to having a dream. (There is a mini biography at the back about him.)
The book ends at page 105, with the Titanic shortly about to sail from Queenstown and leaves it annoyingly open ended, to continue onto the next book in the series. There is a brief passenger manifest at the back, and an "About the Titanic" section.
It is an excellent book if you want to get your kids interested in the Titanic, or reading as an adult, if that is where your interests lie. Just make sure that you have the next book ready to go, otherwise you will have a very disappointed child/adult!
Reading Order:
Time Voyage
Stowaways
An Unsinkable Ship
Overboard
September 6, 2019
Fun book for Titanic fans and fans of adventure. Tucker and Maya are helping Tucker's mom at the museum and are in charge of logging artifacts from the Titanic when they find a ticket that makes them go back in time to the day the Titanic was leaving. Loved the suspense of these kids from the future already knowing what would happen and how they try to convince a boy their age to not get on the boat. It's a series that leaves you hanging at the end of the first one. Can't wait to book talk this one in the library.
January 4, 2019
It was an adventure.
5 out of 5 amazing I love adventure and this got me to learn more about the titanic. Two words Love It
5 out of 5 amazing I love adventure and this got me to learn more about the titanic. Two words Love It
June 16, 2021
Spring break, boredom to Tucker. When he and his best friend end up on the Titanic, anything but boredom.
March 6, 2024
I love the idea behind this series, but it reads a lot younger than I was expecting.
November 30, 2014
This is the first book in the series “Return to Titanic” and the first half of the book can be understood as an introduction to the whole series. It might be a bit slow if you compare it with the second half, but it is important to understand what leads the kids to travel back in time and how it happens.
Although there is not much character development, this doesn’t mean there aren’t any round characters.
We can see how much the situation is affecting Tucker and Maya. It is understandable. When they travel to the past and meet some people who will board the Titanic, they stop being numbers on a list in History books and become real people they want to save. The kids realize they can’t save everybody, as it would change History, but they want to save a boy they’ve met. It is well portrayed how frustrating it is for them to try to explain how they know the ship is going to sink because nobody believes them.
There are some pictures every few pages. They are well drawn and although they don’t add much to the story if you’re an adult, they’ll help children understand everything better as they show, among other things, the Titanic and how people dressed in 1912.
There is also information about the Titanic and the society of that time in the conversations between the different characters. Enough to understand the story, but not too much, so that children won’t get bored.
This is a great read which I recommend to any fans of time travel. It will leave you wanting to read the rest of the series.
Although there is not much character development, this doesn’t mean there aren’t any round characters.
We can see how much the situation is affecting Tucker and Maya. It is understandable. When they travel to the past and meet some people who will board the Titanic, they stop being numbers on a list in History books and become real people they want to save. The kids realize they can’t save everybody, as it would change History, but they want to save a boy they’ve met. It is well portrayed how frustrating it is for them to try to explain how they know the ship is going to sink because nobody believes them.
There are some pictures every few pages. They are well drawn and although they don’t add much to the story if you’re an adult, they’ll help children understand everything better as they show, among other things, the Titanic and how people dressed in 1912.
There is also information about the Titanic and the society of that time in the conversations between the different characters. Enough to understand the story, but not too much, so that children won’t get bored.
This is a great read which I recommend to any fans of time travel. It will leave you wanting to read the rest of the series.
July 11, 2014
Time Voyage is the first in a set of 4 books about a couple of modern-day 14-year-old kids who are whisked back through time to experience the Titanic's first -- and only -- voyage.
After reading book 1, I'm most definitely "on board" with the plot Brezenoff created! He has interwoven the important facts of the RMS Titanic into a relatable story that kids today will understand... and they'll even enjoy learning about history this way. In a similar way to the popular Magic Tree House series, two friends, Tucker and Maya, are in a museum warehouse in 2012 one minute... and open their eyes in 1912 the next.
Once there, Tucker and Maya interact with other passengers and learn true facts about the giant ship... even meeting important people who were aboard. The element of time travel used in the book will intrigue young readers, and they'll be gaining historical knowledge without even realizing it.
The illustrations are fantastic and very true-to-life! The artwork certainly added some great features to the story.
Recommended for a 3rd grade reading level, although older readers would probably like breezing through the series too. Little children could easily enjoy this as a read-aloud with parents, because there are so many pages with cool illustrations to look at.
This series is definitely recommended by me!
After reading book 1, I'm most definitely "on board" with the plot Brezenoff created! He has interwoven the important facts of the RMS Titanic into a relatable story that kids today will understand... and they'll even enjoy learning about history this way. In a similar way to the popular Magic Tree House series, two friends, Tucker and Maya, are in a museum warehouse in 2012 one minute... and open their eyes in 1912 the next.
Once there, Tucker and Maya interact with other passengers and learn true facts about the giant ship... even meeting important people who were aboard. The element of time travel used in the book will intrigue young readers, and they'll be gaining historical knowledge without even realizing it.
The illustrations are fantastic and very true-to-life! The artwork certainly added some great features to the story.
Recommended for a 3rd grade reading level, although older readers would probably like breezing through the series too. Little children could easily enjoy this as a read-aloud with parents, because there are so many pages with cool illustrations to look at.
This series is definitely recommended by me!
July 27, 2016
I was really looking forward to this book. Time travel and the Titanic, what's not to love?
Unfortunately, this book. It was incredibly short - not a bad thing for elementary grades - but it was so obviously part of a series - it didn't even have a complete story. It's just chapters of a larger work, one that continues in the next book. In order to have the complete story and find out what happens to the main characters, you are forced to purchase all the books in the series. I despise this kind of crass commercialism, especially when aimed at young children.
Beyond that, the story isn't bad, though I wasn't enamored of the main characters. They seemed less than smart (why doesn't my phone work in 1912?). The premise was a good one, but execution left me flat.
Recommendation: If you want to look forward to buying all the books in the series, pick this one up. It's not horrible. The writing is decent and the story is intriguing. Just be forewarned about the above.
Unfortunately, this book. It was incredibly short - not a bad thing for elementary grades - but it was so obviously part of a series - it didn't even have a complete story. It's just chapters of a larger work, one that continues in the next book. In order to have the complete story and find out what happens to the main characters, you are forced to purchase all the books in the series. I despise this kind of crass commercialism, especially when aimed at young children.
Beyond that, the story isn't bad, though I wasn't enamored of the main characters. They seemed less than smart (why doesn't my phone work in 1912?). The premise was a good one, but execution left me flat.
Recommendation: If you want to look forward to buying all the books in the series, pick this one up. It's not horrible. The writing is decent and the story is intriguing. Just be forewarned about the above.
July 14, 2015
I am a huge Titanic fan. When I saw these books I thought why not? They could be fun quick reads? And they were! First of all, the illustrations in this book are great! In this book Tucker and Maya are searching through Titanic artifacts and by accident wind up back in 1912. Tucker and Maya want to warn everyone about the Titanic's fatal maiden voyage.
This book is part of a series. This series is called Return to Titanic. There are four books in this series: 1st- Time Voyage, 2nd- Stowaways, 3rd- An Unsinkable Ship, and 4th- Overboard. These books are quick reads that are fun.
My favorite part about these books were the historical facts at the end. For this book you learn about a real man working for the Titanic, John Coffey, and the building of the Titanic. It cost $7.5 million to make the Titanic; today it would cost $400 million to re-make the Titanic!! These books were worth reading, just for the facts at the end.
This book is part of a series. This series is called Return to Titanic. There are four books in this series: 1st- Time Voyage, 2nd- Stowaways, 3rd- An Unsinkable Ship, and 4th- Overboard. These books are quick reads that are fun.
My favorite part about these books were the historical facts at the end. For this book you learn about a real man working for the Titanic, John Coffey, and the building of the Titanic. It cost $7.5 million to make the Titanic; today it would cost $400 million to re-make the Titanic!! These books were worth reading, just for the facts at the end.
December 6, 2011
Received from: Capstone
Received Via: NetGalley.com
After touching a magical ticket Maya and Tucker are Transferred back in time. Knowing the Titanic will sink they try to warn the Kearney family but will they listen?
The length of this book really hurt it. Two books needed to be joined or something cause it was way too short and I felt like nothing happened. I also didn't like the two main charters I just found them both annoying. Tucker more so then Maya seriously how many times do you have to be told not to alter the past?
I requested this book because the Titanic fascinates me, which sucks for me since you have to wait on the next book before they even set foot on the Titanic;another reason this book needed to be longer.
Ugh idk what else to say only that maybe i'm too old for It,cause this book just wasn't for me and i'm not looking forward to the sequels
Received Via: NetGalley.com
After touching a magical ticket Maya and Tucker are Transferred back in time. Knowing the Titanic will sink they try to warn the Kearney family but will they listen?
The length of this book really hurt it. Two books needed to be joined or something cause it was way too short and I felt like nothing happened. I also didn't like the two main charters I just found them both annoying. Tucker more so then Maya seriously how many times do you have to be told not to alter the past?
I requested this book because the Titanic fascinates me, which sucks for me since you have to wait on the next book before they even set foot on the Titanic;another reason this book needed to be longer.
Ugh idk what else to say only that maybe i'm too old for It,cause this book just wasn't for me and i'm not looking forward to the sequels
June 13, 2016
A high, low book. Very short with spaced type & pictures to get it to the 100 page mark. Two kids are helping one of their mothers in the museum. They are unpacking a box of stuff from the Titanic. When they touch a ticket, they are both transported back to the time of the titanic. They are torn between trying to convince a boy & his family not to get on the boat & trying to get themselves back to their own time. They try to do both, but the boy & his family still board the boat & the kids are returned to their own time after the ticket taker tears up their ticket thinking it is a fraud because it is already stamped. However, they still have a bunch more items from the box they were unpacking that could potentially return them to the titanic so they can still try to save that boy. Decent time travel novel for kids looking for beginner chapter books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2015
I am a huge Titanic fan. When I saw these books I thought why not? They could be fun quick reads? And they were! First of all, the illustrations in this book are great!
This book is part of a series. This series is called Return to Titanic. There are four books in this series: 1st- Time Voyage, 2nd- Stowaways, 3rd- An Unsinkable Ship, and 4th- Overboard. These books are quick reads that are fun.
My favorite part about these books were the historical facts at the end.
Goodreads made a mistake! They are calling this book Time Voyage (Book one in the series: Return to the Titanic). However, the cover here is for Overboard, book four in the series!
This book is part of a series. This series is called Return to Titanic. There are four books in this series: 1st- Time Voyage, 2nd- Stowaways, 3rd- An Unsinkable Ship, and 4th- Overboard. These books are quick reads that are fun.
My favorite part about these books were the historical facts at the end.
Goodreads made a mistake! They are calling this book Time Voyage (Book one in the series: Return to the Titanic). However, the cover here is for Overboard, book four in the series!
October 2, 2012
In this fourth installment of the series, Tucker and Maya have to travel back to the titanic one more time to help recue Liam. The story has everything a good story needs: adventure, friendship, historical aspects, and time travel! I will definitely be purchasing the first three books of the series!
Price: $18.04
Suitability: Grades 3-6
Illustrations: black and white drawings
Genre: Historical Fiction
Possible Censorship Issues: N/A
Call #: FIC BRE
Price: $18.04
Suitability: Grades 3-6
Illustrations: black and white drawings
Genre: Historical Fiction
Possible Censorship Issues: N/A
Call #: FIC BRE
October 14, 2012
This first book in the “Return to Titanic” series was a pleasant surprise. The premise is simple (two kids accidentally go back in time and end up on the Titanic), but the presentation is fairly cool, with interesting illustrations, maps, and pseudo-primary source-like documents included throughout. The readability of this title, combined with the high interest subject, make it accessible to a wide array of students.
November 29, 2013
Time Voyage, by Steve Brezenoff, was an easy science fiction book. It is the first book out of a four book set. You have to read the next book so you know what happens to Tucker and Maya. Tucker and Maya time travel from 2012 to 1912. They end up in Ireland where people are getting ready to get on the Titanic. I like to read books about the Titantic so I liked this book. I would recommend it to anyone in third or above that likes to learn about the Titanic.
May 27, 2012
This one is hard for me to rate because it is just the beginning of Tucker & Maya's adventures. This first book ends so quickly, only showing us the premise of the series. It does build some suspense which makes you want to read the next book.
My students love Titanic books and this one is perfect for my reluctant readers, but I will not purchase it until the whole series is out.
My students love Titanic books and this one is perfect for my reluctant readers, but I will not purchase it until the whole series is out.
February 8, 2015
A quick easy read - series of four books. My 8 year old and I tore through them on a weekend.
There was one photo that was slightly factually incorrect, but I'll overlook it. Although Titanic had 4 funnels only 3 were operational, so the photo where it shows all 4 funnels with smoke coming out of them is not accurate.
Nitpicky really, I know :)
There was one photo that was slightly factually incorrect, but I'll overlook it. Although Titanic had 4 funnels only 3 were operational, so the photo where it shows all 4 funnels with smoke coming out of them is not accurate.
Nitpicky really, I know :)
November 22, 2012
This was a great book to read with my little 8 year old because it not only was a fun read but it talk about history and for a young kid sometimes that is the best way to learn. The picture is wrong on the book cover on goodreads for Time Voyage.
May 10, 2013
I was really looking forward to reading this book but was left a little disappointed. It was really lacking if it was trying to be a historical fiction, and not fantastic enough to be a fantasy novel.
October 10, 2013
I don't get the Titanic-craze, but as it seems to be popular I read this to my son. It does throw in a lot of true facts in the course of the story. But, it isn't a complete story; you need to keep reading - which sells more boosk.
October 23, 2013
This is the beginning of a series that takes two kids back in time to the sailing of the Titanic. Although it was a bit slow for me (the whole book only introduces the characters and covers the loading of Titanic), I read this with my 8 year old and she really liked it. On to the second!
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February 28, 2012prod
Read
April 2, 2012This is the first in a series of four, wonderful short series for younger readers who enjoy history, and traveling back in time.
July 29, 2012
Popular subject matter, good for the beginning third graders.
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October 3, 2012Can't wait to read the whole series!
October 8, 2012
You said you wanted to try some brand new books and this series fits that category. A time travel adventure, I think you'll enjoy this series.
December 17, 2014
Awesome read. I love reading books about Titanic but this series is really good. Find out what Tucker and Maya have in store for you.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews