Flashback Four #2: The Titanic Mission

Flashback Four #2

by Dan Gutman

In New York Times bestselling author Dan Gutman’s all-new series, which blends fascinating real history with an action-packed adventure, four very different kids are picked by a mysterious billionaire to travel through time and photograph some of history's most important events.

This time, Luke, Julia, David, and Isabel are headed to the deck of the doomed Titanic. Their mission? Capture a shot of the sinking ship, then come right back. The only problem is, once they arrive aboard the ship, the four friends can’t agree on what to do next. Should they try to save the passengers? Or maybe bring back a priceless book before it sinks with the ship?

The Titanic Mission tells the story of the ship’s fateful last voyage like you’ve never heard it before.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Time Travel, Middle Grade, Adventure, Historical, Fantasy, Fiction

Audible Audio

First published April 4, 2017

About the author

The author of over 80 books in a little over a decade of writing, Dan Gutman has written on topics from computers to baseball. Beginning his freelance career as a nonfiction author dealing mostly with sports for adults and young readers, Gutman has concentrated on juvenile fiction since 1995. His most popular titles include the time-travel sports book Honus and Me and its sequels, and a clutch of baseball books, including The Green Monster from Left Field. From hopeful and very youthful presidential candidates to stunt men, nothing is off limits in Gutman's fertile imagination. As he noted on his author Web site, since writing his first novel, They Came from Centerfield, in 1994, he has been hooked on fiction. "It was fun to write, kids loved it, and I discovered how incredibly rewarding it is to take a blank page and turn it into a WORLD."

Gutman was born in New York City in 1955, but moved to Newark, New Jersey the following year and spent his youth there.

Reviews

[Ericka Clou · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this because my 4th grader was assigned this in school. It's - perhaps not surprisingly - very dark for a kids book: floating dead bodies etc.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An eccentric billionairess sends a team of teens on a dangerous journey back in time to photograph important moments of history -- perfect for fans of Lauren Tarshis’s I SURVIVED series and Chris Grabenstein’s ESCAPE FROM MR. LEMONCELLO’S LIBRARY.

Dan Gutman proves that learning about history is worthwhile for its own sake-- if it weren’t for an understanding of the past, we wouldn’t know about how zippers came to be! We wouldn’t know how people dressed, what they thought about, and what they cared about. Gutman blends this love of history with his trademark zaniness in the Flashback Four series.

Readers need not have read the first in the series to jump on board the Titanic with Luke, Julia, David, and Isabel, who travel back in time want to take a picture of the ship before it sinks. The task is simple to explain, but there are plenty of twists and turns along the way that keep the four friends from their goal.

My favorite thing about this book is its simplicity. Some books become so invested in complicated plot-based concepts that the mechanics of the zombies or cats or what have you alienate casual young readers. Gutman doesn’t do this -- he keeps the time-travel mechanics of this world simple enough so readers can easily understand the mistakes that the friends make along the way and includes just enough historical details to make us curious to learn more, but not too much that we feel we’re getting a lecture.

I could easily see this book as a whole-class read aloud in an elementary school. I think readers would love to put themselves in the shoes of the Flashback Four and talk about what they may or may not have done were they on board the Titanic.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It might be my mood but I found this title disappointing. The 4 kids have pretty much become stereotypes. The timid hyper aware of racism boy, who is African American. The smart Latina, focused on education. The born leader, a nice white boy who thinks well under pressure. The kleptomaniac rich girl. The adult in the story isn’t a whole lot more mature than the kids, a billionaire software nerd who had rather iffy morals. I also don’t appreciate being left to find out how they were rescued in the next book! I don’t have book 4 so I’m guessing book 3 will leave me wondering about the rescue there. (Note: I was wrong about the ending to book 3. Whew.) I’m going to read the next book since I love the ancient Romans. That might be the other problem with this book: I’m not thrilled with the Titanic as subject. The next one (Pompei) should be better that way.

[Ana Brawls · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seriously fun reading this book with your child. Who can’t wait for the next chapter. Great historical facts, interesting dialogue. And very engaging

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Magic Tree House for older students! I like that it wove history throughout the book. Enjoyable.

[Katie O. · Rating 2 out of 5]

So... If you write or are an aficionado of kidlit, then this book (and the obviously successful career of the author) fly in the face of many 'rules' for getting published. Yes, there's a distinct voice and page turns and some plot twists. But, there are many aspects that baffle and defy all those 'Top Tips for Getting Published.' First, there's an infestation of 'info dumping.' Now, I love history or science woven into fiction. This is not woven. The story stops and the facts pour out. Many times. The characters all have an extremely, overly similar voice (I don't been dialect). Also, the premise (billionaire adult decides four 12-year-olds can handle really, really unplanned missions with really, really sketchy motivations and tech) is so full of holes. Yes, the kids make some decisions that make things worse, but the initial plot trigger is weak. And this title in particular is really distasteful. Yes, the kids try to change what happens on the Titanic, but the real problem is they face their lack of success and the unfolding of the disaster with a combo of bizarrely cheerful attitude and not believable survival tactics. Many little things (e.g. jumping from high off the ship = no way she doesn't go fully underwater vs. manage to hold a key item above the surface to stay dry) and many big things (e.g. non-swimmer survives ocean plunge) were constantly distracting. Finally, the fourth wall was shoved aside from time to time with varying degrees of (not-so-much-) success. I'm sure the series attracts readers for its basic pace and readability. And schools like it because there's lots of info in there. But it's just so awkward (and not in an authentic preteen way, either). Sigh.

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I Liked: I like Gutman's voice. It is quirky, fun, and easy for kids to relate. He directly addresses the reader at times, and it is done well. This is a quick, high-energy read. You don't have to have read his first Flashback Four book to understand this one. He quickly recaps the previous book and outlines the characters. My beloved Babysitters Club books would have been a lot shorter if Ann M. Martin had put the character descriptions in a quick list like this one! I'm not saying it works every time as I'm a fan of show, don't tell, but it certainly works with Gutman's voice and the flow of this book. I also like the inclusion of different historical events and facts.

What I Didn't Like: The ending. Seriously? Another leave you hanging ending? I didn't like it in the first Flashback Four book (especially because book two didn't even pick up at that ending if I recall correctly), and I didn't like it in this book either.

The Titanic is still just as popular as ever with readers, so I think this book will get more readers in my library than the first book. Or at least I hope. I've only had one student read the first one and that is with a couple book talks. I decided to take a chance with this one and see if the series will gain more traction with some book talks and hand selling. I hope it does!

I recommend for 3rd-6th grade students. This would make a great read aloud in an elementary classroom and would be a nice launching point for a research unit on historical events or inventions.

[Erin *BookDragon_Library* · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm still not totally on board with these characters and their likability. Julia makes all the same stealing motions as in the first book and all four of them seem to have moments of dishonesty that I'm not used to seeing in main characters of this light-hearted historic fiction genre. They do keep trying to change history despite Miss. Z's warnings and their agreement when going back in time for a famous photo to not do anything to alter history.

Overall, I think this series and concept could be so much better. We find out very little about any of the characters and their backstories except for spoiled, rich Julia so there is no connection. Another moment where adult body guards are rough with the kids. We see some of the most famous people and a couple items from the Titanic as the kids interact with them. The interactions can be negative and the kids are often rude to people.

Again, the picture they went back in time for was foiled. The TTT text time machine device was lost/damaged. There was a twist with someone from the Titanic being brought in to the 21st century. This one ends with them stuck in the Titanic period, again obsessing about trying to make a fortune and not seeming very worried about going back to their families or time. I just don't care for any of the 4 main characters much which ruins the series for me. I don't know if I will finish the series.

[Catherine · Rating 1 out of 5]

I won this book as part of a three book set in the hopes that my son would find it interesting. I didn't like the first book. I tried to finish the second book without prejudging it but couldn't make it past the second chapter.
I found the whole subject matter morbid. Imagen telling children of the future, "We don't have the perfect picture of the planes hitting the twin towers and it's such an important historical event, we need you to go back in time to get that perfect shot because I'm rich and can pay for it and I'm handicapped, and you need to feel sorry for me and help me achieve my dream. By the way, there will be carnage but you can handle it." Admittedly, I was first introduced to the titanic in a middle grade fiction book but it was not handled so callously.
Add to that a whole lot of political bullshit that was totally irrelevant (and not appropriate for a children's book) and I am so glad my son refused to read these books. The purpose of studying history is not to make judgment calls which will be outdated in hundred years anyway (karma) but to understand it in the context of its time.

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure what to do with this book . . .

It was okay in and of itself, not great, not some modern classic for kids, but it was okay.

I didn't care for the reminders of how blacks and women were treated in 1912 especially considering the kids faced no actual prejudice, I didn't care for the mention of homosexuals, or the constant reminders of the different classes, in fact I found most of the cultural stuff to be lacking a larger context and filled with contemporary snobbery.

While on the ship, very little actually happens. The whole thing becomes kind of morbid and sad as we waltz around a ship full of dead people and do very little to try to help them. It was interesting, and I knew some of the stories. I would have liked more of the individual stories, those were the most interesting.

I especially did not care for the cliff-hanger ending. That seemed largely unnecessary. A giant meh book that I would only borderline consider recommending.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I so enjoyed the first book of this series that I really looked forward to this title. And I am disappointed. I know we are expected to suspend disbelief, and I can readily do that regarding the technology. But what adult smart enough to create that technology would be stupid enough to send 4 kids to the Titanic? Really? Could no one anticipate they would want to save the people on the ship by telling them about the iceberg? Really?
What saves this book is that they don't simply take the picture and get back home. I don't know if I have the patience to read #3 to see how this plot is resolved, but at least it generates some suspense.

[nattie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this aloud to my students, as they had to find out what happened after the first book. The first one was a much better read aloud for upper grade kids. This one was a bit dark. Obviously, the kids know what will happen when they get on the Titanic (they're trying to take a photo of the sinking ship for their billionaire boss). The kids meet people on the ship who are destined to die, and it was a bit hard to read aloud to the students. I don't think I would read this one aloud again, but I know the kids enjoyed the story--just a bit dark for a read aloud.

[AMY · Rating 5 out of 5]

225 pgs. Great second installment. This time the kids decide they want to suggest an exciting adventure to make up for their prior mistakes in episode 1. They want to take a picture for Ms. Z on the Titanic. As you can guess, nothing goes as planned. There are lots of dramatic moments and the kids have to get smart and creative to work our their dilemmas. I liked the cliff hanger ending. I think kids will enjoy this story and want to dive into the next one to see how things will work out for the Flashback Four. Highly recommended for Grades 4-5.

[Jessica Runnoe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Where to even begin…this is a children’s book; the main characters are 12 years old…there shouldn’t be any mention of things like climate change/global warming, gay people. Everyone in this book was an idiot. As soon as I read where they wanted to meet, I internally screamed. The bow of the ship at 2:05am? Really? Nobody thought that it would be too close to being under water/actually under water at that point? Not only are all of the characters dumb, but they’re all annoying too. I won’t be continuing this series.

[Cristal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just like with the first FlashBack Four story, this FlashBack Four 2 book is a fun and interesting read for younger readers.
This time the original four kids are sent to snap a picture of the Titanic sinking as harrowing as it seems. With high stakes and twists that will surprise you. Fantastic Four 2 The TiTanic Mission is an adventure with interesting facts and a good cliffhanger. Fun and informative!

[Terry]

Dan Gutman is a master at time travel stories, and this is no exception. Readers will be spellbound not just by the adventure but by all of the facts about the Titanic itself. This is the second adventure for our time-traveling preteens.

Read more of our review and add your review if you have one.

[CJ Ackermann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than the first one.
I think that the sequel is better than the first book. I feel like there was actually an ending this time around instead of a cop-out. I also like how at the end of the book they get trapped in the past. It really gives a shocking ending to the story. Also when they saw all of the bodies floating in the water, that was a moment that just kind of stuck with me. Overall I think it barely gets 4 star. Probably 84% so a B.

[Nan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn’t like this at all. Horrible premise: take a picture of a major catastrophe where thousands died needlessly. Stupid jokes, characters are stereotypical, dialogue is basic, minor plots points are impossible (kids keep a digital camera dry when they fall into the ocean). Stick with the My Weird School series.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second in Gutman's four book series of YA novels about four time-traveling kids. The kids travel on the Titanic, and give a pretty good birds eye view of what the sinking must have been like. This series is a painless way for kids to learn history, and both of mine (10 and 7) enjoyed it.

[Heather Gmiterek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lex really enjoyed the first book in this series about Abraham Lincoln and asked for this one next. He’s aid it was very tense and he was worried the kids weren’t going to make it on a life boat let alone back to the future. He says the character David is a lot like himself and likes to imagine he is David in the stories.

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can't wait for the next book in the series. It ends with a good cliffhanger! I think some of my younger student students would enjoy this series. The Titantic is always interesting and it includes four present day kids experiencing it first hand.

[Hello Kitty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audio book version of this in middle school and it was the first audio book i ever listened to. It’s still one of my favorites !! idk why people are hating on it ?? like it was fire and i love the whole series bc this got me into historical fiction which is my favorite genre rn

[maddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

picked this up in a book sale at double dragon plaza and for the price of ₱65, it’s kinda worth it. i love me some good historical children fiction, i just wish it was written a bit better. i hate some of the characters but i’m reminded that they’re kids so what am i gonna do abt it 😂

[Gracie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like these series because anything can happen! I like the endless possebilities. Anyone that likes aventure will probably like this historical fiction superstar!

[Brandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

great book . loved the history in it

[Bianca Burrows · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved it

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :):):):):):):):):):):):)

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing you find a personal connection with each of the characters and the story has such a cliff hanger read the book to find out more.

[AnnieM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Research is solid. The characters are very realistic they are people you’d meet every day. A great story well told.

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

The kids liked it. I did not.