What do you think?
Rate this book
The Time Traveler's Journal
- Liserl Einstein's travels through time, meticulously researched using real life figures and events in history as background to fun adventure. Items attached to pages or in envelopes help tell the story. Includes a special pocket watch that runs backwards.
The time traveler is Lieserl Einstein (who now refers to herself as Lisa.) Born in 1902, there is no record of her existence. The only mention of her birth came when Albert Einstein's personal papers were released to the public in
the 1980's. Lisa was exceptionally brilliant, well beyond her father in theoretical and mechanical ability. She went back in time to remove all records of her existence, leaving the mention of her birth in the private papers as a teaser.
The time traveler is Lieserl Einstein (who now refers to herself as Lisa.) Born in 1902, there is no record of her existence. The only mention of her birth came when Albert Einstein's personal papers were released to the public in
the 1980's. Lisa was exceptionally brilliant, well beyond her father in theoretical and mechanical ability. She went back in time to remove all records of her existence, leaving the mention of her birth in the private papers as a teaser.
23 pages, Hardcover book-plus product
First published November 1, 2007
94 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 12, 2021
Very cool scrapbook design, if a bit bulky in the front-cover department for what appears to be the sole purpose of holding/cushioning the (admittedly neat) Rewinder pocket watch, whose numbers run backwards. I borrowed my copy from Interlibrary Loan and was thrilled to find it safely still inside so I could play with it; it'd be worth buying just to have this.
As for the book itself, while definitely aimed more at kids, as it presents a lot of "here's a Neat Historical Fact!" moments that I think most people with a high school education would know, the snippets from The Future are fun, and it's still really enchanting to turn the stiff cardstock pages and admire both the layout and the best part: pop-up flaps, pasted-in cards/pamphlets, and a few envelopes with removable letters and flash-card-esque pieces of paper. I saw someone describe it as fitting right in with the "Ologies" books, and they're right.
The premise is clever, though some of the content itself is a bit confusing -- it's intentionally described as a "teaser journal" within the text, a fraction of the volumes the character has saved over her lifetime, but it also feels like room is purposely being left to publish second volume of this journal that never came to fruition. Who is the mysterious person who seems to be "following ahead" of her in time? What is the relevance of Peter Goodby? I wanna knooooow.
As for the book itself, while definitely aimed more at kids, as it presents a lot of "here's a Neat Historical Fact!" moments that I think most people with a high school education would know, the snippets from The Future are fun, and it's still really enchanting to turn the stiff cardstock pages and admire both the layout and the best part: pop-up flaps, pasted-in cards/pamphlets, and a few envelopes with removable letters and flash-card-esque pieces of paper. I saw someone describe it as fitting right in with the "Ologies" books, and they're right.
The premise is clever, though some of the content itself is a bit confusing -- it's intentionally described as a "teaser journal" within the text, a fraction of the volumes the character has saved over her lifetime, but it also feels like room is purposely being left to publish second volume of this journal that never came to fruition. Who is the mysterious person who seems to be "following ahead" of her in time? What is the relevance of Peter Goodby? I wanna knooooow.
June 29, 2021
Good for an up and coming young reader that loves science fiction.
October 11, 2019
This is a wonderfully imaginative book that puts the main character in the middle of many main events throughout history. I don’t want to say too much about the main character, as that is part of the ingenious creativity of this book.
The story is told through diary entries, newspaper articles, drawings, and other sources. It presents an exciting and fascinating way of learning about historical events. I had a lot of fun reading it, but I think middle grade and YA readers would particularly enjoy it.
The story is told through diary entries, newspaper articles, drawings, and other sources. It presents an exciting and fascinating way of learning about historical events. I had a lot of fun reading it, but I think middle grade and YA readers would particularly enjoy it.
March 22, 2016
The daughter of Einstein travels through time after erasing herself from the history books. Very cute! I enjoyed it more than I anticipated.
Read
April 17, 2019Albert Einstein
Read
August 18, 2025Wow, I remember this! I had it almost 20 years ago, and the backward pocket watch with the Einstein quote really stuck in my mind. I just found it again with the help of ChatGPT, and seeing it brought back a rush of nostalgia. A quirky mix of science, time travel vibes, and fun presentation that still feels unique today.
September 1, 2012
This was an interesting book. I think kids who like learning would enjoy it. Reading for fun and going on adventures with people in stories is a great way to learn new information and have fun doing it.
Read
January 28, 2013It was stated as acceptable condition with pocket watch. Pocket watch was missing, almost all the little things you're supposed to be able to take out were missing, and most of the pages were scribbled all over to the point where you couldn't read anything.
June 27, 2012
incredible book
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews