The Rhythm of Time

by Questlove, S.A. Cosby, Godwin Akpan (Illustrator)

The spectacular first entry in a middle-grade sci-fi trilogy by six-time Grammy Award-winning musician, Academy Award-winning filmmaker, and New York Times-bestselling author Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson and New York Times-bestselling author S. A. Cosby.

It’s not easy being a teenager, and it’s no different for Rahim, who is trying to balance everything in his busy Philly school, parents, bullies, his secret hopes of becoming a hip-hop star, and the constant schemes of his brilliant best friend, Kasia. When Kasia invents a new kind of cell phone that is also a time machine, it sends Rahim into the past, where he must outmaneuver a secretive government agency without altering history's delicate balance.

This electrifying book puts Rahim and Kasia at the center of an ever-widening mystery that will illuminate their own pasts (and futures) and test their friendship. Dynamic and richly written, with crisp commercial prose and charming interior illustrations, The Rhythm of Time is an infinitely readable sci-fi adventure that is sure to delight younger readers.

Genres: Middle Grade, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Time Travel, Fiction, Young Adult, Audiobook

239 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 18, 2023

About the author

Ahmir K. Thompson (b. 1971), known professionally as Questlove, is an American musician, drummer, record producer, disc jockey, filmmaker, music journalist, and actor. He is the drummer and joint frontman (with Black Thought) for the hip hop band the Roots. Additionally, he is an adjunct professor at the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at New York University.

Reviews

[Janae (The Modish Geek) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so much fun! It was fast-paced, funny, and relatable. And we love a young Black girl in STEM. If I read this right, it could be the beginning of a series and I'm here for it.

HIGHLY recommend, especially for the intended audience.

[Bethany (Beautifully Bookish Bethany) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rompy time travel adventure for middle grade readers! The Rhythm of time is a fun story following a boy with a genius female friend who makes him a cell phone that accidentally takes him back in time to the 90's! While there he meets his parents as kids, but also his presence begins affecting the flow of time. Will he make it back? And can he fix the changes he accidentally made? It's a quick read that's very plot driven and perfect for the target audience. The audio narration is great and fits the upbeat vibe of the story. I received an audio review copy via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.

[Mara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this as a middle grade sci fi time travel story- it took a turn towards the end that I really enjoyed. Hopefully we get another one

[Ty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read! I loved the friendship between the main characters Rahim and Kasia. They both had very different interests, Rahim wanting to rap and Kasia being into technology yet they were able to connect as friends. This book brings up many topics that would be relatable to young readers such as bullying, peer pressure, following your dreams and the importance of friendship. The time travel aspect of the book was entertaining because we saw the impacts of what happens when a person goes back in time and how that could rewrite the future. The overall story was fast paced and had moments where you really felt for Rahim and just want him to win. I don’t pick up middle grade a lot, but if I can find more books like this, I will pick it up more often!

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm always looking for new sci-fi books to check out especially those that are geared towards middle grade readers. While I was nervouse about Questlove writing this book, I think that the pairing with S.A. Cosby definitely made me more excited to dive into this one. I clearly have taken to long to write my review for this one since I finished it back in May, but I can say that it's well worth a read.

[Chantel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Rhythm of time was such a fun time-traveling adventure! This book felt like the kid-adventure movies I watched as a kid.

I adored the friendship between Kasia and Rahim. They made the perfect team with Kasia being a super-smart tech genius and Rahims’ love for music and adventure.

I also love how this story centers around science and hip-hop. This is a book that is fun for all ages! I’m so looking forward to the exciting escapades Rahim and Kasia face in the next book!

[Gary Anderson]

The twelve-year-old kid who still lives somewhere inside me has a new favorite book: The Rhythm of Time by Questlove with S. A. Cosby. It has time travel, music fans, smart kids with rebellious streaks, and parents who understand “good trouble” and take the sides of their children against authority figures.

Rahim and Kasia are next-door neighbors and best friends. (There is no romance anywhere in sight, another plus for the twelve-year-old me.) Rahim is an aspiring rapper whose professor father despises technology. Kasia is a home-schooled technology genius who builds a phone for Rahim in spite of his father’s Luddite tendencies. Problems arise when Rahim searches for something on the phone, and he is bodily transported to his search results. That’s right; Kasia has unknowingly tapped into the super-secret government satellites that can bend space and time and hot-wired that ability into Rahim’s phone.

Rahim first uses the phone to get out of jams, but eventually he is transported to an earlier time of his Philadelphia neighborhood where he meets younger versions of people he knows very well. (No spoilers here.) Rahim finds that his love of ‘90s rap transcends time, and he has some adventures in fandom that help him better understand his life’s future version. (Questlove name-checks his own band The Roots at one point.)

In addition to the time travel elements inThe Rhythm of Time, the adult me also appreciates how Questlove and Cosby authentically present middle-class Black life. The parents of Rahim, Kasia, and young characters say and do things that probably would not happen in households of other races.

The fast pace, humor, and intriguing plot make The Rhythm of Time an ideal choice for middle-grade readers who like action, technology, speculative fiction, or music. The social justice threads and lack of romance may also appeal to certain readers. The only thing I didn’t like about The Rhythm of Time was the ending. Again, no spoilers here, but I wish authors wouldn’t do things like that.

[Ronald · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good read. Took a bit to get started or draw me into the story. It is a kids / YA book but much better than many of the other books I have read aimed at that demographic. The story assumes the reader is smart and not a dumb kid.

There are a few points that in other books I would complain about but will let go without comment. I am not a complete fan of this time travel butterfly effects just being random. Will there actually be another book and will this be a series?

[Bearded Reader - Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.75) The Rhythm of Time is a fast, fun ride that drops you straight into 90s hip hop energy and keeps the pages moving. Questlove and S.A. Cosby tell a story about how choices shape the future, how parents and kids slowly learn each other, and how important it is for kids to be given permission to be themselves. As a longtime reader, the time-travel beats felt familiar rather than trail-blazing, very much in the emotional neighborhood of When You Reach Me or A Wrinkle in Time, just remixed with new characters and a Philly setting. And honestly, that familiarity worked for me. It’s a joyful, action-packed story that knows exactly what it wants to be, and I had a great time with it.

[Joan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Now I know I’m not the target audience but this was really poor. Gobbledygook is not sci-fi and this book used gobbledygook. Part of sci-fi should be explaining at least somewhat the principles being used. There is nothing like that here. The author uses all the tired out tropes in hopes of doing something new. It didn’t work. I did finish the book so I won’t give it only one star but it deserves it. I cannot possibly recommend this book.

[Amanda F · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was just so cute. I liked how they played with the rules of time, and created their own. I also loved the adults in this one and their relationships with their children. They weren't either all good or all bad, but actual characters who learned to grow and interact with their children in better ways. I will definitely be continuing with this series.

[Tanya Prax · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Imara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel really bad as an adult reading this book 2 stars, but that was my experience so take it with a grain of salt. There was so much happening, but nothing of impact at the same time. Most people stay away from time travel because it creates a bit of trouble. An example here is the main character goes back and meets his dad, then goes back to present day, AB’s the dad remembers the fake name he gave him while being his friend. Cool. How do you not remember that your SON looks exactly like the friend you had? How don’t you remember how you got into the concert?!

I think some things were used for gags then quickly forgotten. I loved Amari and the night brothers, but this was underwhelming

[JL Salty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: pg for danger, adventure. No profanity, no sex. No violence
Recommend: 6th -9 - esp black and brown kids looking for stories with kids like them. Normal family, whole parental units, healthy friendships.

I loved this book adding to the genre of “not only white kids should get to do the fun stuff”.
Smart girl, boy understanding his dad better, both growing up a little bit. There is some disobedience, some lying, but all is clear and forgiven at the end. A good add to the collection.

[Jake Chavez · Rating 2 out of 5]

Set-up to be a sequel. Lots of holes in the plot as well as an unsatisfying ending.

[Nicholas Mccane · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading several heavy books, I had a great time letting my imagination run wild with this fun time traveling adventure. In this fast paced middle grade novel, we follow two seventh graders, Rahim and Kasia. Kasia is a genius who loves building gadgets, while Rahim loves testing them out. This time, Kasia gives Rahim a gift for his birthday that sends him back in time. And just like every other movie/book about time travel, that may not be the best idea. This book is perfect for middle schoolers and maybe even some kids at heart like me. Sure, there were a couple of things that made little sense in regard to science, but that’s your fault for putting so much thought into a kids’ book. Did I mention Questlove and S.A. Cosby wrote this book? Did I also mention that Questlove dedicated the book to his nine-year-old self? Can’t wait to continue with book two, Let’s go!

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

a neat time travel story staring a young rapper and a genius girl who inadvertently creates a time travel device that sends the boy back to when his father was a kid. This puts the world in danger of utter temporal collapse, and makes for fun reading!

[Kristen Harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun time travel story full of great moments and humor. I absolutely enjoyed seeing how things were messed up and the reason behind everything beginning. I can’t wait to see where the series goes next.

[Rebecca McPhedran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, this one was really fun! A cool twist on Back to the Future. When Rahim’s best friend Kaisa gives him a phone that might actually be a Time Machine, their entire universe and the construct of time could be in serious trouble. This book was so good! I really enjoyed it!

[Lisad · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much fun! Fast-paced, engaging, yet still thought-provoking. Loved Kasia, who reminds me of Black Panther’s sister Shuri. Would love for this to be a series.

[Feliciana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so much fun to read! I eye-read it in a day. The ending sets it up for a possible sequel, which I would definitely read!

[B C Asch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing and good for all ages!

[Glen Krisch · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun YA sci-fi novel.

[Kaprisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very good read have to make a movie and a 2nd book like big time

[Hobart · Rating 4 out of 5]

★ ★ ★ 1/2 (rounded up)
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
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His dad. He was walking and talking with his dad. And his dad was...kinda cool? Rahim didn't know what was more shocking—the fact he had traveled back in time or that his dad was once actually pretty fun to be around.

WHAT'S THE RHYTHM OF TIME ABOUT?
Kasia is a homeschool nerd/computer genius. Her parents run a vegan co-op and help community gardens throughout the city. They know she's smarter than them, but they also know they don't fully appreciate how much smarter she is. For example, she's designed a drone that can adapt, speak, and add features as it sees fit. She's also made a (admittedly unattractive) smartphone for her best friend so he can call her and do homework.

Rahim lives next door to her and to call his father a Luddite is to understate things—and it'd probably result in a lecture from him about the inaccuracy of using the term for him. He's a history professor who won't allow computers, etc. in his home—his encyclopedias are good enough for Rahim's homework, thank you very much*. He's not that crazy about Rahim's love of music or sports, either.

* Sure, it's impossible in 2023 for even a grade school student to do homework without the Internet, we all know that. Shhh. Roll with it for the purposes of the book.

Rahim is overjoyed with his gift (although he does make a crack about its looks) and starts to use it right away. It takes him very little time to see that if he does things in a certain way, the phone will transport him instantly to various places. Kasia doesn't understand that, but before she can figure out how that happens, Rahim discovers (the hard way) that the phone also works to send him to the past.

While Kasia tries to figure out how to get him home, she tells him to keep from interacting with anyone as much as possible. She starts trying to see what the satellites she hacked into to give Rahim his phone are doing to him and Rahim sees a kid about his age being bullied and before common sense can restrain him, he intervenes and saves the kid. The bullied kid turns out to be Omar, or as Rahim calls him, "Dad."

Oops.

And well...things get worse from there.

THE TAKE ON TIME TRAVEL

Time itself is being pulled and stretched, and I'm kinda afraid it's gonna crumble like graham crackers dunked in milk.

Like any self-respecting time-travel story, particularly one where the traveler meets a relative, things start to unravel—the timeline, future events, etc. And not just in the expected ways—the first sign we have that anything's going wrong is that a different team wins the '97 NBA Championship. There's no relation to anyone in the book to anyone in the NBA (that the reader knows of), so the problems in the timeline aren't starting out in the typical way. The authors deserve some big points for that.

Nor do the time travel-induced anomalies continue to play out the way they usually do. It's when things are nearing their worst that Kasia says that about graham crackers in milk (a visual that has stuck with me for days).

(Mild Spoilers ahead in this paragraph) Some things remain constant—Rahim's parents still get together and live next to Kasia and her family. Kasia's just as smart, too (thankfully). And just when you start to think that maybe, just maybe, we're going to get a Back to the Future kind of ending where things went differently for Rahim's father and he found a different kind of success—but Rahim (for reasons you might not expect) decides to try a plan-so-crazy-that-it-just-might-work to restore the timeline. Emphasis on the might.

THE GOVERNMENT TYPES
Disrupting, disturbing, distracting, and potentially disabling Kasia's efforts are a couple of government agents. They seem like moderately overzealous, humorless types who are trying to do their job—if it happens to allow them to bully a little girl, so be it.

Eventually, however, these agents prove to be better than we think. In doing so they show that some of the government assets that Kasia has been, um, "helping" herself to aren't exactly what she thinks they are. In fact, there's a connection between them and The Philadelphia Experiment. But we're not just treated to the typical urban legend version of the Philadelphia Experiment, Questlove and Cosby give the reader a Hidden Figures version of it. Which makes it all the more fun.

But just because there are all sorts of adults running around with official powers and equipment, don't think that it all doesn't come down to what Kasia and Rahim do. This is a Middle-Grade novel, after all.

SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT THE RHYTHM OF TIME?
It just felt so odd to be having so much fun on just about every page with Cosby's name on the cover. I enjoy his stuff, but it's not often that "fun" enters into the conversation. And fun is the best word to describe this.

The whole concept and the way it plays out are ridiculous—but they're entertaining, and if you can accept any part of it, you'll accept it all. And there's no reason not to suspend your disbelief enough to buy into the story—because it's not trying to be more than a fun adventure for grade school readers.* So just sit back, relax, grab some popcorn, and enjoy.

* Even if it had higher aspirations, you could still make the case for going along with things.

Rahim's a great guy, and you can see where Omar ends up becoming the Dad that he is—and how his parents become the versions of themselves Rahim would come to know as his grandparents. All of that was really well done.

Kasia is the type of impossible genius making tech in her bedroom that has been the stuff of cartoons and Middle-Grade fiction since I was reading it (when it was called "Juvenile Fiction.") Think Flavia de Luce meets Penny from Inspector Gadget meets Richie Foley (from Static Shock). I will read something about her anytime. If Rahim's along for the ride, so much the better.

The book ends with a clear sign that the story goes on, but none of the online sources I see refer to this as the first of a series. I hope it does go on—but it's also one of those endings that doesn't require a sequel. We know that Rahim and Kasia are going to be up to more adventures, and in a way, that's enough. By this point, the reader has enough to know how their adventures will go.

But I really hope the series keeps going.

Pick this up for some nice, uncomplicated fun for yourself or grab it for the Middle Schooler in your life (and then borrow it).

[Sacha · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

Though this book was first published in 2023, I only learned about that today, when I started what I thought was a totally new book being published in 2026. The good news? This is the start of a trilogy and it ends with a cool cliffhanger, so I'm thrilled not to have to wait long to get more out of this story!

Rahim and Kasia are pals and, apparently, geniuses. There's some really cool time travel happening, and in the tradition of all kids in sci fi, these two must make sure not to change the entire course of humanity - or, okay, even what happens to the people they know - during their adventures. But seriously, could YOU resist all of the things you'd want to change and people you'd want to meet...?

The most exciting part of this novel is the relationship between the two aforementioned characters. Their circumstances test them, and they have to learn how to manage their impulses and think about others, even in the face of real temptation and legitimately unusual circumstances. Also, while they do break some rules, I love that the adults around these two are generally supportive of them and believe in their brains. The adults are not clued all the way in, but they consistently support their kids, and that's pretty special in itself.

This was a fun read that I'll share with my students, and I am excited to jump right into the sequel!

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Square Fish for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

**Round #2 read: Audiobook thanks to Macmillan Young Listeners. Highly recommend this option when and where available!

[Wendy Post · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too far fetched and way too busy. Couldn’t wait for it to be over!

[Deborah Zeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story that showcases the butterfly effect when playing with time-travel and how it can effect both the future and the past. Lesson to be learned: don’t play with the timelines.

Loved the characters of Rahim and Kasia; Kasia is true genius and STEM girl. The introduction of Dr. Jackson from the Philadelphia Experiment was interesting but after further research, I couldn’t find any info about her or the “Black Rosies” of the project. An added touch to the whole time travel piece of the story, just a bit inconsistent. Doesn’t take away from the story.

Lots of technology used in the book and the possibility of time-travel via cellphones is intriguing and a story line that I don’t recall reading before.

As you read the book, you wonder why Rahim’s dad is so against technology, that he’s all about the books. You definitely come to learn his why.

I look forward to seeing the completed book with the corresponding illustrations.

[Mark Buxton · Rating 4 out of 5]

What worked:
The simplicity of the plot quickly becomes much more complicated. Rahim is accidentally transported to 1997 and his sole motivation is getting back to the present without disrupting history. Fortunately for young readers, Rahim fails miserably when it comes to being unnoticed after he befriends Omar, his future father. The most interesting aspect of the story is how Rahim gets to see a different side of the adults in his life. His father, uncle, and grandparents display young lives that are in stark contrast to the adults he’s grown up with. Adults often have dreams and interests as kids that they’re forced to give up when they start careers and families. Rahim is able to witness the changes in people he knows and it affects his understanding of them in the end.
Kasia is Rahim’s home-schooled, best friend and neighbor and she’s a technological genius. She builds a cell phone that ties into government satellites and accidentally transports Rahim into the past. She also builds a small drone that can follow less specific instructions and can become invisible by going into stealth mode. Her bedroom looks like a computer geek’s dream until government agents confiscate all of her equipment. Career scientists and Noble prize winners spend lifetimes trying to understand transporting and time travel but twelve-year-old Kasia successfully masters the concepts. Her conversations with 1997 Rahim contribute humor to the book.
Young readers may connect with the musical references throughout the whole story. Rahim comes up with freestyle verses and he loves an older-generation group Four the Hard Way, an actual band. Rahim gets favorable responses when he posts one of his songs but its success makes him the target of the school bully. Traveling to the past opens Rahim’s eyes to the fact that his father and uncle share his interest in music. Weaving the culture of this music into a successful adventure through time travel requires creative talent from the author.
What didn’t work as well:
Believability is a challenging part of this book. Much of the story is reasonable, in a speculative fiction manner, but some of Kasia’s creations are a stretch. Even if she comes up with innovative ideas, how does she amass the materials to actually pull them off? Also, the appearance of vortexes creates suspense but they allow the characters plenty of time to resolve the problem.
The final verdict:
Helping a young person develop an understanding of the adults in his life is the most endearing part of the book. It addresses the paradoxes of time travel head-on resulting in an entertaining adventure into the past. I recommend you give this book a shot.

[Justin Barrow · Rating 2 out of 5]

“The Rhythm of Time” by Questlove with S.A. Cosby – 2-Stars

SPOILERS: This review contains MINOR spoilers. These spoilers won’t have a major impact on your reading. Most of the information is shared within the synopsis of the book here on Goodreads.

TRIGGER WARNINGS: None

2-STAR REVIEW: Let me preface this review with the fact that I am not the target demographic for this fantastical tale involving time travel. This is a book designed for middle school children, and I am a 40-year-old man, so I am not sure how relevant this will be.

I have been a huge fan of S.A. Cosby, and I went into this knowing that this wasn’t going to be a staple Cosby book.

“The Rhythm of Time” has a lot going, I am not sure if it is a lot going for it, or just a lot going, but either way, like this sentence, it’s a lot. Imagine the classic Back to the Future movie, but replace Marty McFly with Rahim and Doc Brown with Kasia, replace the DeLorean with a cellular phone, and make the time travel all accidental and include the United States government and secret satellites. It’s all very convoluted, and there isn’t a Michael J. Fox level talent available to hold it all together.

The first problem with this novel is it is littered with plot holes. It also struggles with pacing and jumps all over the pace. All these things make it a tough read, or listen, especially for its intended audience. It appears that Questlove and Cosby had a basic idea and left it murky and unfinished.

The novel attempts to raise the tension, but it is not believable when the teenagers involved opt for concerts and naps instead of trying to fix the problem…but, then again, they are teenagers, so it is completely possible. Maybe I should remove this portion of my review.

The one really bright spot for this story was a positive representation of minority characters and family dynamics. Both Rahim and Kasia have very supportive families with parents with educated and well-deserved jobs. This highlights hard working members of society and presents minorities as supportive, loving, and accomplished parents.

For me, this is a 2-Star book. It was tough to follow, the plot and pace continually changing. I do believe this is a quality story 3-Star for kids aged 11-14.

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