Timekeepers: A Revolutionary Tale

by J.Y. Harris

History is supposed to be dull. Who knew it could also be dangerous? Time-travel should be a fun adventure... right? And yet Kristen and Brad find that being stuck in the past is anything but. The Everhearts are taking part in a battle re-enactment of the American Revolution when they inexplicably find themselves back in 1777—for real. They have no way of knowing how or why they’re there; all they can do is try to get through the day. The siblings meet Rebecca, who needs to deliver a message of vital importance to General Washington. They also team up with a tavern-owner's son in order to escort Rebecca back to Philadelphia. Along the way, they deal with a spymaster, colonial deserters, and British soldiers who keep getting in the way.

And they still have to figure out how to get back to their own time.... Based on review feedback, dialogue in this book has been edited for 'questionable' language. As of November, 2017.

Genres: Time Travel, Science Fiction, Childrens, Young Adult

144 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 2012

About the author

The Timekeepers series is for middle-grade/young teens (ages 11 and up).

Under pen-names Jean Louise this author has written some women's contemporary books, Nobody's Perfect and Fool Me Once. Also, two series of novellas: It Takes a Thief, with two stories, and Boys in Blue, with three.

E-mail address is jyharrisbooks@gmail.com, and J. Y. Harris also has a page on Facebook.

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kristen and Brad are headed to a local Revolutionary War re-enactment to get some extra credit for history class when they get a little lost. Walking from the car to the park where the re-enactment is going to be held, the two siblings pass through some fog and emerge near the park. Only, it's not the park they know. Instead, it's the park the way it was over 200 years ago, in 1777.

I liked the method of time travel that was used in this book, and I also quite enjoyed the way both Brad and Kristen used the few items they had with them to help out in the various systems. The two siblings are also quite right when they talk about how the day-to-day actions during the Revolutionary War were often filled with things that appear mundane but are actually really exciting. If history classes taught that part of history, instead of just names, dates, numbers, etc., I think a lot more people would be interested in history. And after all, who doesn't love a good spy story?

This is a pretty quick book to read, but it does a good job of telling a great story within that space. The characters are well-developed within the story, and the author did a good job of creating a story around existing facts to truly transport the reader to Revolutionary War-era Philadelphia. It was definitely a fun read that I would recommend.

[Casarah Nance · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Mom has always said she learned more from historical novels than she ever did in history class"

This book is that.

Kristen and Brad had entered the woods as battle actors when a mysterious fog took them back in tile to experience first hand the events that led up to the battle of White Marsh. This sibling pair became part of American history as they helped get people to their destinations without fail.

It was a good story, the time travel aspect is like a old shirt, well worn but comfortable. It highlights a lot of the differences in culture, they speak the same language but they can't really understand each other. To say that so much has changed is an understatement. I see the value in this book giving an interesting look into history and agree with the quote from te last chapter of the book, summing up that story do help us learn faster and funner.

[Kenzie Rae · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have to admit that I did not finish this book. But, I have very valid reasons for not doing so. The characters were ANNOYING. The author used very specific brands while mentioning what the characters were wearing (like when she says something like “she was very grateful she chose her Pumas instead of her Keds”) What’s with that? Plus, when the main characters ‘travel back in time’, they literally are walking down a foggy road. Yeah, cause that make sense. It was also incredibly boring and cheesy. I have no idea who the target audience was intended to be, so I can’t even comment on that.

[Gina Bowman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is for middle school ages. For an adult, it is an easy read. It is simple, a bit of suspense, but nothing scary.

I chose this book to fill a prompt in my 52 Book Challenge 2023.

Prompts it can be used for.

1, subtitle

6, less than 200 pages

11, secrets

18, war other than WWl or WWll. Revolutionary War time.

20, siblings

29, rabbit hole, based on actual historical events, might research to learn more

42, time in the title, time travelers

45, first word "The". Prologue starts with "The".

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Time travel can be dangerous, and history has real people and places.
two siblings find themselves transported to the dangerous time of the American Revolution, and have to deal with a world without internet, with danger around each corner. How can they survive, and can they keep new friends they find out of danger, as well as themselves?
great story for the younger generation- could help them find a whole new perspective on history,

[Donna Mae Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful! This is one of the earlier middle grade books I read, and I could not remember what to expect. The story moved along well, and the characters interesting. The only reason I gave it a 4 is because I did not like the way the sister is portrayed. I wanted to slap her.

I look forward to reading more from Harris. Good stuff!

[David Sylvester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the adventure and the idea of the story. Thank you!!! Any type of time travel book for me is an adventure

I really enjoyed the adventure and the idea of the story. Thank you!!! Any type of time travel book is an adventure to me and I enjoy them.

[Eric Roth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great family book

I just read this with my kids and they loved it. I know there are 4 in the series. I will be reading them all with the kids and I hope many more come.

[Angela Lambkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! What a dramatic fast page turner this story turned out to be..!

I usually did not always like history in school either especially when a college teacher would not really give us good directions in which areas to really study for a final,etc. This author has really made it more fun and suspenseful too! For these reasons I felt it needed five stars! I highly recommend it. for kids ages 8-18 &+ and anyone who may enjoy reading time travels and history novels. I received this ebook for free and in return for it, here now is my honest review. Great work J.Y.! By Angela

[Maggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A teenage brother and sister find themselves back in time during the American Revolution. Fairly good story that moved right along. I got annoyed the the girl was so stuck on the modern world and kept saying things that made no sense to people in the 1700s. Wish she had been a more respectable character who had more knowledge or appreciation of history. Her brother was shown as a smart guy who used his knowledge to help the teens they met in the past. There are more books in the series but the sister would need to shape up for me to read them with being put out with her.

[Melani Cash · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool but make a 2nd about Rebecca and Jacob coming here

Needs more action and accuracy of history an make one were same people go to world war 1/2.great books and.

[Brigid Charest · Rating 4 out of 5]

My aunt wrote this book, and I'm bragging big time. It's a great read for any age!