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Flashback Four #1
The Lincoln Project
Congratulations! You are invited to participate in a very special once-in-a-lifetime experience. Please do not share this invitation or discuss it with anyone.
In New York Times bestselling author Dan Gutman's all-new series, which blends fascinating real history with an action-packed and hilarious 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, the four friends are headed to 1863 to catch Abraham Lincoln delivering his famous Gettysburg Address. They'll have to work together to ask the right questions, meet the right people, and capture the right moment. And most important—not get caught! Back matter separating fact from fiction and real black-and-white photographs make Flashback Four the perfect mix of true history and uproarious fun.
In New York Times bestselling author Dan Gutman's all-new series, which blends fascinating real history with an action-packed and hilarious 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, the four friends are headed to 1863 to catch Abraham Lincoln delivering his famous Gettysburg Address. They'll have to work together to ask the right questions, meet the right people, and capture the right moment. And most important—not get caught! Back matter separating fact from fiction and real black-and-white photographs make Flashback Four the perfect mix of true history and uproarious fun.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published February 23, 2016
119 people are currently reading
1721 people want to read
About the author
Dan Gutman
358 books1,036 followersThe 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.
Gutman was born in New York City in 1955, but moved to Newark, New Jersey the following year and spent his youth there.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews
March 8, 2017
4 STARS!!!
This was so much damn fun!! I'm a History lover so this seemed right up my alley and I was right to pick it up at the library, now I need a copy for my shelf. This was like National Treasure meets Back to the Future and I was loving every moment of it. From page 1 everything takes off and doesn't take a break, it's full of humor, action, history, photos, and fun storytelling. If you're looking for something light, fun, and quick that still packs a punch of awesomeness, this is the book for you. I can't wait for the second book in the series to come out in April cause I'm dying to know what's going to happen with that ending!
I really loved that this book was a fun read but also was like sitting in a History class because you got to learn so much about a historic event in History and be a part of it at the same time with the time traveling the characters do. I'm saying "fun" a lot in this review but dammit it was FUN. There will be a Book Thoughts video for it this month on my channel. :)
- Richard
This was so much damn fun!! I'm a History lover so this seemed right up my alley and I was right to pick it up at the library, now I need a copy for my shelf. This was like National Treasure meets Back to the Future and I was loving every moment of it. From page 1 everything takes off and doesn't take a break, it's full of humor, action, history, photos, and fun storytelling. If you're looking for something light, fun, and quick that still packs a punch of awesomeness, this is the book for you. I can't wait for the second book in the series to come out in April cause I'm dying to know what's going to happen with that ending!
I really loved that this book was a fun read but also was like sitting in a History class because you got to learn so much about a historic event in History and be a part of it at the same time with the time traveling the characters do. I'm saying "fun" a lot in this review but dammit it was FUN. There will be a Book Thoughts video for it this month on my channel. :)
- Richard
September 25, 2017
This is our kid's book club selection for September and I can't wait to discuss it with them because I hated this book so much.
This fails on a character level and on a history level. I thought there was going to be a good discussion of how it would impact David as an African American, and Isabel and Julia as women, but gender issues are never brought up and there is literally 2 pages dedicated to race. Despite what Dan Gutman thinks, slavery impacted every level of society, not just "some people". Its roots, and the roots of white supremacy that let white people enslave and own other human beings, are things that our society deals with every day. It benefitted the north just as much as south, and Gutman had a real opportunity to put his writing skills and celebrity to discussing, and instead dismisses it as "lincoln hated slavery, so you'll be fine".
There was also a really good opportunity to discuss the lack of opportunities for women, but that would also mean the girls in this book had to be fully fleshed characters, which is something that didn't happen here.
And on a petty note, getting Lincoln facts wrong is just annoying. Fine, put John Wilkes Booth in here for no reason but the dude was basically the Chris Hemsworth of the 1860s- people are going to recognize him.
This fails on a character level and on a history level. I thought there was going to be a good discussion of how it would impact David as an African American, and Isabel and Julia as women, but gender issues are never brought up and there is literally 2 pages dedicated to race. Despite what Dan Gutman thinks, slavery impacted every level of society, not just "some people". Its roots, and the roots of white supremacy that let white people enslave and own other human beings, are things that our society deals with every day. It benefitted the north just as much as south, and Gutman had a real opportunity to put his writing skills and celebrity to discussing, and instead dismisses it as "lincoln hated slavery, so you'll be fine".
There was also a really good opportunity to discuss the lack of opportunities for women, but that would also mean the girls in this book had to be fully fleshed characters, which is something that didn't happen here.
And on a petty note, getting Lincoln facts wrong is just annoying. Fine, put John Wilkes Booth in here for no reason but the dude was basically the Chris Hemsworth of the 1860s- people are going to recognize him.
March 29, 2016
Likes: The photographs, some interesting historical information
Dislikes: The lack of an ending, the cover, how the four kids followed the directions on the envelopes and met a stranger
I enjoyed this book, but the ending was not satisfying. I can still see 3rd-6th graders enjoying this time-travel, adventure-driven book, but having some of the same feelings I did about the ending.
Dislikes: The lack of an ending, the cover, how the four kids followed the directions on the envelopes and met a stranger
I enjoyed this book, but the ending was not satisfying. I can still see 3rd-6th graders enjoying this time-travel, adventure-driven book, but having some of the same feelings I did about the ending.
August 29, 2015
My thanks to HarperCollins
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Point of View: Multiple (Julia, Luke, Isabel & David)
Writing: Third Person | Past Tense
Setting: Boston, Massachusetts & Gettysburg, Pennsylvanian
Genre: Middle Grade | Science Fiction/Time Travel
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Seriously this is probably the best middle grade book I have ever read. It might probably be so because I love history and reading this book which is full of facts about one of the greatest moments in the history is beyond amazing. Though, I completely believe that anyone who reads this book is going to read it too, whether or not they are into historical events, because there is nothing not to like about it.
One thing I loved about the book is how well written it was. Everything was spot on. From characters with diverse character traits, to the easy and perfect pace, to the brilliant way the author chose to twist the events, it was an addictive read for me.
Instead of drawings, there were photographs in the book. I found that a pretty great addition to this amazing book because not only I got the chance to read a wonderfully written story, but I also had an opportunity to see some of the most fascinating moments ever photographed.
In short, I really loved this book and am sure looking forward to read more from this series.
October 27, 2018
I couldn’t finish it. I hated the beginning. The kids feel blatantly stereotypical- a tall black kid who likes basketball, a chubby kid who plays video games, a rich white girl who likes to shop, and a hard working Hispanic girl. And besides the fact that it’s concerning the kids take a bribe and letter to meet with a stranger - even if I suspend belief there - in that first meeting with the kids, this woman is so manipulative, which is uncomfortable as she clearly is older than them and holds more power/money. I couldn’t get past that point. Sorry.
April 18, 2020
This was a fun read. However, it suffers from a lot of world building that interfered some with the story. Hopefully future titles in the series will be smoother. 4 kids are summoned to this wealthy billionaire who wants them to time travel to take a photo of Lincoln giving the Gettysburg address and give it to her. All sorts of complications happen from people on the team being uncooperative to Tad Lincoln being a real pain, although he redeems himself.
Gutman very clearly explains just what is real and what is made up in a final chapter, which I really appreciated and which accounts for the fourth star. I do feel strongly that children authors in particular have a responsibility to let their readers know what is historic and what is made up and apparently Gutman agrees with this to my great pleasure. Adult readers should either have enough background to have a sense of what is historic and what is made up, or should have the ability to do some background research to find out themselves. Kids simply do not have that knowledge and could be badly misled without some information from the author. So while the book didn't seem exceptional to me, the scrupulous explanation IS exceptional. I'll continue reading this series for now.
Gutman very clearly explains just what is real and what is made up in a final chapter, which I really appreciated and which accounts for the fourth star. I do feel strongly that children authors in particular have a responsibility to let their readers know what is historic and what is made up and apparently Gutman agrees with this to my great pleasure. Adult readers should either have enough background to have a sense of what is historic and what is made up, or should have the ability to do some background research to find out themselves. Kids simply do not have that knowledge and could be badly misled without some information from the author. So while the book didn't seem exceptional to me, the scrupulous explanation IS exceptional. I'll continue reading this series for now.
June 14, 2016
2.5 stars. Although I thought the premise was interesting, the characters felt very flat and stereotypical to me. They were part of the reason I couldn't engage with the story. The other main reason was the convenience of everything. I know this book included time travel, but even so there were moments that really strained credulity for me. I can see where this would appeal to reluctant readers who enjoy constant action, but for me the bland characters and lack of true engagement with the complexity of a time travel component really made this disappointing.
July 19, 2022
A fun plot that involves kids being sent back in time to capture photographs of key historical moments. The 4 kids all have their own strengths and flaws. I know it involves time travel so I need to suspend reality, but I found it a little weird that a billionaire picked four random a12 year olds to do some pretty crazy stuff in history. There is some fun humor and some peeks into the past about the Gettysburg Address. The author added some people that were not there, for funsies. It is a quick, short book so I can see kids who like historical fiction and action enjoying this read. No swears, mild violence and war scenes. 4th grade and up.
to-read-own
March 13, 20183/13/18 $.99 for Kindle.
March 27, 2016
THE LINCOLN PROJECT by Dan Gutman is the first book in the exciting new time-travel adventure series titled Flashback Four.
Four children are invited to go back in time to take a photo of Lincoln giving the Gettysburg Address. Along the way, they develop an understanding of history in general along with the specific time period of the adventure.
This fast-paced, light-hearted adventure immerses readers in history using an approach that will appeal to a broad audience.
The book includes an author’s note, further readings and websites, as well as places to visit.
Librarians will find fans of Dan Gutman flocking to his new middle grades series. Readers will particularly enjoy how the narrator jumps into the story providing historical information. The diverse cast of characters and unique approach will keep readers coming back for more.
To learn more about the author, go to http://dangutman.com/
Published by HarperCollins on February 23, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.
Four children are invited to go back in time to take a photo of Lincoln giving the Gettysburg Address. Along the way, they develop an understanding of history in general along with the specific time period of the adventure.
This fast-paced, light-hearted adventure immerses readers in history using an approach that will appeal to a broad audience.
The book includes an author’s note, further readings and websites, as well as places to visit.
Librarians will find fans of Dan Gutman flocking to his new middle grades series. Readers will particularly enjoy how the narrator jumps into the story providing historical information. The diverse cast of characters and unique approach will keep readers coming back for more.
To learn more about the author, go to http://dangutman.com/
Published by HarperCollins on February 23, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.
September 23, 2017
A super-fun time-traveling adventure that middle-graders will definitely enjoy. I like it for the educational purposes too (there are lots of cool facts about Lincoln and the Civil War in there)... kids can't help but learn while they read!
Now, was I was NOT expecting was the cliff-hanger ending at the end. My goodness! I'm definitely reading the next volume about the Titanic... can't wait.
Now, was I was NOT expecting was the cliff-hanger ending at the end. My goodness! I'm definitely reading the next volume about the Titanic... can't wait.
October 7, 2018
It was so good that I really need to read the second book
April 25, 2019
This was a four-star read...until I got to that ending. I mean...COME ON. Cliffhangers definitely have a place in literature, but this one felt SO unnecessary. There are so many other elements (time travel, taking pictures of important historical events, a genius billionaire running out of time) that would make readers want to keep reading the series, and this ending-in-the-middle-of-a-sentence when NOTHING has been resolved actually just made me mad and NOT want to continue reading.
Maybe my students will feel differently, but I'm just annoyed.
Maybe my students will feel differently, but I'm just annoyed.
July 5, 2020
224 pages. This is a very interesting time travel type series. A group of four kids has been chosen to go back in time and complete certain tasks for an extremely rich woman, Ms. Z, who has invented a special board that can transport people into the past. The kids are around 12 years old and they have lots of personality. There is a lot of humor and situations where they have to work things out for themselves and use their brains. I liked how quickly the plot moves and the drama that keeps a reader engaged. I think boys and girls will love this series. They speak their minds and create the perfect mix of characters for this exciting series. In this installment, the four are sent to 1863 to get a photograph of Abraham Lincoln as he is making his famous Gettysburg Address. This one is not predictable so I think readers will enjoy lots of unusual twists and turns along the way. The only thing that may be a problem is later in the book a civil war character mentions something about body parts being littered over the battlefield and kids may get grossed out in elementary school - it's real but could be too much. Otherwise highly recommended for Grades 4-5.
January 10, 2022
Fantastic book to read out loud with your child. Fun, dynamic and full of interesting facts.
December 3, 2021
This book was a good introduction to the history and event genre. Featured characters my age. Main character was female and had a disability. Challenged stereotypes and educated me.
June 25, 2017
ARC from a reader affiliate program in exchange for an unbiased review.
Recommended for: Fans of slightly cheeky homages to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, e.g. Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library
Ideal reader range: Grades 3-7. As somebody who caters to seventh grade readers, I remain convinced that I can sell this one to a seventh grade audience, while I think other middle grade novels are *theoretically* appealing to seventh graders but have no on-the-ground appeal. Again, the parallel to Lemoncello will help boost appeal.
Plot summary:
Four Bostonian teens are chosen under mysterious circumstances to fulfill an eccentric billionairesses's request: to travel back in time using her time machine to take a photograph of Abraham Lincoln giving the Gettysburg Address and return it to the billionairess for her personal collection. Sounds simple, right? Well, the adventure starts when the four teens are accidentally sent to the day before the Gettysburg address...
What I liked:
Gutman's sense of humor and adventure. Reader-friendly pacing. Real photographs interspersed in the text. Some historical fun facts relating to the beginning of the secret service, the invention of wristwatches, and the practice of presidents saluting the troops (which was pioneered by Reagan and seen as possibly inappropriate at the time.) Two characters of color, one of whom wonders whether traveling back to 1863 might cause him to be captured and sold as a slave.
What I didn't like:
1. In the author's note Gutman mentions that he took some major, major, major historical liberties with this text. Under ordinary circumstances I wouldn't take issue with this, but when your book has so many true things in it, adding aggressive falsehoods for the sake of story feels disingenuous to readers who aren't going to bother with the author's note.
2. A major plot promise wasn't revealed in this first volume: billionairess Miss Z chose these four teens by hacking the NSA computers, combing through their online footprint, and using an algorithm to match these four personalities to the task. What made these four "chosen?" What makes them work well together? We are given some possible hints, but not much more. Downer.
3. A non-ending "stay tuned!" ending that gave me little readerly satisfaction.
Recommended for: Fans of slightly cheeky homages to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, e.g. Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library
Ideal reader range: Grades 3-7. As somebody who caters to seventh grade readers, I remain convinced that I can sell this one to a seventh grade audience, while I think other middle grade novels are *theoretically* appealing to seventh graders but have no on-the-ground appeal. Again, the parallel to Lemoncello will help boost appeal.
Plot summary:
Four Bostonian teens are chosen under mysterious circumstances to fulfill an eccentric billionairesses's request: to travel back in time using her time machine to take a photograph of Abraham Lincoln giving the Gettysburg Address and return it to the billionairess for her personal collection. Sounds simple, right? Well, the adventure starts when the four teens are accidentally sent to the day before the Gettysburg address...
What I liked:
Gutman's sense of humor and adventure. Reader-friendly pacing. Real photographs interspersed in the text. Some historical fun facts relating to the beginning of the secret service, the invention of wristwatches, and the practice of presidents saluting the troops (which was pioneered by Reagan and seen as possibly inappropriate at the time.) Two characters of color, one of whom wonders whether traveling back to 1863 might cause him to be captured and sold as a slave.
What I didn't like:
1. In the author's note Gutman mentions that he took some major, major, major historical liberties with this text. Under ordinary circumstances I wouldn't take issue with this, but when your book has so many true things in it, adding aggressive falsehoods for the sake of story feels disingenuous to readers who aren't going to bother with the author's note.
2. A major plot promise wasn't revealed in this first volume: billionairess Miss Z chose these four teens by hacking the NSA computers, combing through their online footprint, and using an algorithm to match these four personalities to the task. What made these four "chosen?" What makes them work well together? We are given some possible hints, but not much more. Downer.
3. A non-ending "stay tuned!" ending that gave me little readerly satisfaction.
March 13, 2019
I received a free copy in exchange for a review. I wanted this book in an attempted to engage a very picky reader. I was hoping this book series would do for history what the magic school bus did for science. It didn't come close.
I understand that as the first book of the series the premise has to be set up. Why are four children traveling through time? How will they do it? Can't help but think the author overthought it. I was bored with it so I can't really see it keeping a child's attention.
Julia is the rich bitch, Luke is the poor white trash, Isabel is the smart Hispanic and David the athletic black kid. The author even jokes about being "token" but it doesn't stop him from campy stereotypes. Not what a mother really wants her kids to be reading about.
Then, there are the moral issues. Julia tries to steal something from the past after being lectured about not changing the past while being sent back to get a photograph. Her moral values are questioned but Miss Zandergoth's never are. She stocked children through a computer (like that's not totally creepy), she uses them as guinea pigs because it's best for her and she never speaks with their parents directly to explain everything to them. The whole point is to create something in history that didn't exist before. Why is she not a villain? Talk about rich people getting whatever they want. Stereotype time--she's handicapped so it doesn't count. Again, not what a mother wants to be teaching her children.
The history part wasn't too bad if lean. Teaching about Abraham Lincoln and the civil war is a tough subject to teach without leaving a kid with nightmares. The history was the main reason I was interested in the book so it left me disappointed.
I have two more books in the series I promised to review but I can't see fighting my picky reader over this book.
I understand that as the first book of the series the premise has to be set up. Why are four children traveling through time? How will they do it? Can't help but think the author overthought it. I was bored with it so I can't really see it keeping a child's attention.
Julia is the rich bitch, Luke is the poor white trash, Isabel is the smart Hispanic and David the athletic black kid. The author even jokes about being "token" but it doesn't stop him from campy stereotypes. Not what a mother really wants her kids to be reading about.
Then, there are the moral issues. Julia tries to steal something from the past after being lectured about not changing the past while being sent back to get a photograph. Her moral values are questioned but Miss Zandergoth's never are. She stocked children through a computer (like that's not totally creepy), she uses them as guinea pigs because it's best for her and she never speaks with their parents directly to explain everything to them. The whole point is to create something in history that didn't exist before. Why is she not a villain? Talk about rich people getting whatever they want. Stereotype time--she's handicapped so it doesn't count. Again, not what a mother wants to be teaching her children.
The history part wasn't too bad if lean. Teaching about Abraham Lincoln and the civil war is a tough subject to teach without leaving a kid with nightmares. The history was the main reason I was interested in the book so it left me disappointed.
I have two more books in the series I promised to review but I can't see fighting my picky reader over this book.
October 29, 2018
Reading this with my son was slow (but he is a slow reader unless it's a graphic novel), but I do think the book was kind of interesting. The premise of the book was that 4 children were chosen to go back in time to capture a picture of Abraham Lincoln giving the Gettysburg Address. They had to learn how to blend into the times (what clothes they wore, how they talked, what they ate in the 1860's). So there was some educational components without C. Bear realizing that he was learning. He found the way they talked in the 1860's pretty funny. Of course the Flashback Four got into some scrapes which made the book pretty interesting. The scrape with Tad Lincoln was our favorite and made us want to learn more about him.
February 25, 2018
(Audio Book)
"The Flashback Four: The Lincoln Project" by Dan Gutman (2016) is historical fiction for kiddos! The first book of "The Flashback Four" series finds four children sent back in time to observe and photograph President Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg address. The author weaves a funny, engaging fictional tale, yet includes true facts and photos so that children learn the facts behind the fiction. I feel this story will be enticing and attention-holding as an audio book especially, but it would be agreat read-aloud to children K-2, or for advanced independent readers. Kids will want to move on to next adventure with Julia, Luke, Isabel and David. (approx. 4.5 hours-audio)
"The Flashback Four: The Lincoln Project" by Dan Gutman (2016) is historical fiction for kiddos! The first book of "The Flashback Four" series finds four children sent back in time to observe and photograph President Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg address. The author weaves a funny, engaging fictional tale, yet includes true facts and photos so that children learn the facts behind the fiction. I feel this story will be enticing and attention-holding as an audio book especially, but it would be agreat read-aloud to children K-2, or for advanced independent readers. Kids will want to move on to next adventure with Julia, Luke, Isabel and David. (approx. 4.5 hours-audio)
March 4, 2024
It was interesting, and most of the history is correct but it was ok.
July 3, 2017
Okay.
I'm a bit biased, as I'm not a twelve-year old (which I presume is the target audience for this book). When I was younger, I was also a Dan Gutman reader. But geez, there are a few things in this book that I couldn't overlook.
I'm going to put the next part in spoilers since it's more or less my teen self ranting about this book:
I did like all the history that Gutman worked into the book. The Wilt Chamberline pre-adventure was really neat. The real photos in the book were cool to look at too. I also do quite like Miss Z's points about how there was no actual photos of Lincoln speaking his speech. It shows how many things were passed down through history, but that we don't have physical evidence of.
There was also a diversity of character ethnicity, David stood out to me in particular. I thought it was interesting how his race affected his journey compared to the other members of the Flashback Four.
The author also had a fun writing style through the story, and I liked how he would occasionally address us as reader. The ending however, though a cliff hanger, didn't satisfy me. I may pick up the second book in the series just to see what happens, but it's not very high on my to-do list.
I'm a bit biased, as I'm not a twelve-year old (which I presume is the target audience for this book). When I was younger, I was also a Dan Gutman reader. But geez, there are a few things in this book that I couldn't overlook.
I'm going to put the next part in spoilers since it's more or less my teen self ranting about this book:
I did like all the history that Gutman worked into the book. The Wilt Chamberline pre-adventure was really neat. The real photos in the book were cool to look at too. I also do quite like Miss Z's points about how there was no actual photos of Lincoln speaking his speech. It shows how many things were passed down through history, but that we don't have physical evidence of.
There was also a diversity of character ethnicity, David stood out to me in particular. I thought it was interesting how his race affected his journey compared to the other members of the Flashback Four.
The author also had a fun writing style through the story, and I liked how he would occasionally address us as reader. The ending however, though a cliff hanger, didn't satisfy me. I may pick up the second book in the series just to see what happens, but it's not very high on my to-do list.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 28, 2020
I’m not sure how I feel about this series. Even in middle grade literature, I want my main characters to be likeable and I just don’t feel that connection. Especially Julia who I find actually quite unlikeable. She plays the trope of rich girl with fairly absent parents. She is money-focused and has a bit of a clepto-complex, trying multiple times to steal historical artifacts to make more money.
I didn't like how the book started with the 4 kids receiving a letter from a stranger to meet and they all do it. Not a great example for kids and Miss Z is pushy and pressure driven and not very likeable either. She is rich and powerful which seems to go with the constant obsession of power and money and getting rich throughout the book.
I thought the inclusion of Tadd Lincoln was interesting and he was certainly portrayed as a bit of a brat which I found surprising. The inclusion of Booth being present at Gettysburg did add some to the atmosphere and context despite being historically inaccurate (which the author made sure to admit in the end). Also, I figured they would get to meet Lincoln but wasn't sure how it was going to happen but using Tad was a good device. I was surprised that the kids were pushed around and even punched by an adult though. I didn't feel that brutality was necessary.
Overall, I'm a little disappointed in this series from "quality" standpoint. Kids will probably like it more than me. It doesn't have the same level of action as the I Survived books and I prefer Ranger in Time because the characters/dog are more engaging for middle grade Historical Fiction. I liked how there was an afterward at the end which told the parts that were true and the ones that were not true or altered for the story.
Notes: Boston, Massachusetts & Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, 4 book series, Historical Fiction, 2 boys, 2 girls, 1 Black - David, Isabel - Domincan Republic
I didn't like how the book started with the 4 kids receiving a letter from a stranger to meet and they all do it. Not a great example for kids and Miss Z is pushy and pressure driven and not very likeable either. She is rich and powerful which seems to go with the constant obsession of power and money and getting rich throughout the book.
I thought the inclusion of Tadd Lincoln was interesting and he was certainly portrayed as a bit of a brat which I found surprising. The inclusion of Booth being present at Gettysburg did add some to the atmosphere and context despite being historically inaccurate (which the author made sure to admit in the end). Also, I figured they would get to meet Lincoln but wasn't sure how it was going to happen but using Tad was a good device. I was surprised that the kids were pushed around and even punched by an adult though. I didn't feel that brutality was necessary.
Overall, I'm a little disappointed in this series from "quality" standpoint. Kids will probably like it more than me. It doesn't have the same level of action as the I Survived books and I prefer Ranger in Time because the characters/dog are more engaging for middle grade Historical Fiction. I liked how there was an afterward at the end which told the parts that were true and the ones that were not true or altered for the story.
Notes: Boston, Massachusetts & Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, 4 book series, Historical Fiction, 2 boys, 2 girls, 1 Black - David, Isabel - Domincan Republic
October 18, 2022
Why I chose this book: This book is on my library's Battle of the Book's list.
Brief summary: Four kids get to access the past through a smartboard, owned and operated by a billionaire woman who is dying and wants to amass a collection of photographs from the past, so she recruits these kids to do it for her. In this volume, she sends the Flashback Four to capture a photo of Lincoln at the Gettysburg address.
What I didn't like about this book: At times, the author uses flimsy plot crutches to tie things up quicly. When one of the kids goes to get a photo of Lincoln, the camera they brought with them isn't working, but then, suddenly, and for no explained reason, it works! There were a few instances where the plot fell flat in a "suddenly," sort of way.
What I like about this book: I like that the author writes with humor and incorporates modern tropes into a story largely about the past, like the billionaire CEO. While this book is mostly a funny story that looks broadly at the time period of Abraham Lincoln, there is one scene that really highlights the attrocities of the Civil War. There is a scene with a drunken veteran that made me cry as he describes the limbs of soldiers in the battlefields. He tells the kids that many soldier's limbs were removed because the doctors were trying to save their lives. One of the girls in the four expresses that she thinks he must have PTSD. This somber scene gives reverance to this pivotal point in our nation's history and highlights the challenges of war.
Brief summary: Four kids get to access the past through a smartboard, owned and operated by a billionaire woman who is dying and wants to amass a collection of photographs from the past, so she recruits these kids to do it for her. In this volume, she sends the Flashback Four to capture a photo of Lincoln at the Gettysburg address.
What I didn't like about this book: At times, the author uses flimsy plot crutches to tie things up quicly. When one of the kids goes to get a photo of Lincoln, the camera they brought with them isn't working, but then, suddenly, and for no explained reason, it works! There were a few instances where the plot fell flat in a "suddenly," sort of way.
What I like about this book: I like that the author writes with humor and incorporates modern tropes into a story largely about the past, like the billionaire CEO. While this book is mostly a funny story that looks broadly at the time period of Abraham Lincoln, there is one scene that really highlights the attrocities of the Civil War. There is a scene with a drunken veteran that made me cry as he describes the limbs of soldiers in the battlefields. He tells the kids that many soldier's limbs were removed because the doctors were trying to save their lives. One of the girls in the four expresses that she thinks he must have PTSD. This somber scene gives reverance to this pivotal point in our nation's history and highlights the challenges of war.
August 4, 2018
“You are invited to participate in a very special, once-in-a-lifetime adventure.”
Julia Brennan, Luke Borowicz, David Williams and Isabel Alvarez all receive the same yellow envelope with an invitation to meet at John Hancock Tower at 4:30. When they arrive, they hear an incredible story that seems to be the ravings of a crazy person. A Smartboard that can transport people through time? That’s the claim made by Miss Chris Zandergoth, inventor of Findamate.com, and multimillionaire. Using a computer algorithm (and the NSA database?), she has selected these 4 students, knowing that they will be able to work together.
Julia, Luke, David and Isabel are highly skeptical and are about to leave when Miss Z convinces David to go anywhere in history he would like to go. Choosing to see Wilt Chamberlin score 100 points in a single basketball game, David travels back to Philadelphia on March 2nd, 1962 and enters the arena to witnesses the event. When he returns with the game program, the kids are in.
“A photo brings a moment in time into our consciousness.” All Miss Z wants is a photo of Abraham Lincoln delivering the Gettysburg Address. Seems simple enough, right? A quick 1863 language lesson, some new clothes from the costume shop and a crash course on a real Nikon camera, and the Flashback Four are off on their adventure. What could go wrong? Well, for starters, Miss Z makes a typo and they end up in Gettysburg a day early. Oops ...
Julia Brennan, Luke Borowicz, David Williams and Isabel Alvarez all receive the same yellow envelope with an invitation to meet at John Hancock Tower at 4:30. When they arrive, they hear an incredible story that seems to be the ravings of a crazy person. A Smartboard that can transport people through time? That’s the claim made by Miss Chris Zandergoth, inventor of Findamate.com, and multimillionaire. Using a computer algorithm (and the NSA database?), she has selected these 4 students, knowing that they will be able to work together.
Julia, Luke, David and Isabel are highly skeptical and are about to leave when Miss Z convinces David to go anywhere in history he would like to go. Choosing to see Wilt Chamberlin score 100 points in a single basketball game, David travels back to Philadelphia on March 2nd, 1962 and enters the arena to witnesses the event. When he returns with the game program, the kids are in.
“A photo brings a moment in time into our consciousness.” All Miss Z wants is a photo of Abraham Lincoln delivering the Gettysburg Address. Seems simple enough, right? A quick 1863 language lesson, some new clothes from the costume shop and a crash course on a real Nikon camera, and the Flashback Four are off on their adventure. What could go wrong? Well, for starters, Miss Z makes a typo and they end up in Gettysburg a day early. Oops ...
January 22, 2020
Interesting YA series that I started with my kids. My daughter has checked the rest of the set out of the library and my son and I have listened to the second book on audio. Gutman takes four 12-ish year old kids and sends them off in time to collect photos of historic events for an eccentric billionaire. As is typical for him, Gutman does a great job of teaching grass-roots level history in an adventure story. In this one, the kids try to get a photo of Lincoln delivering the Gettysburg Address. There are many hijinks along the way. We enjoyed it enough to seek out the rest of the series-- you might too.
November 8, 2023
4.5
This was a fantastic and fun way to learn about historical events- with a modern flair. Think Magic Tree house for older kids- with a Dan Gutman flair, or I Survived with a lot of humor and middle grade students infused in the story. I love how fact and fiction are differentiated at the end, and we see the actual photographs of historical landmarks from the story. There is a diverse cast of characters who you really ‘get’. Their personalities are developed quickly to get you very invested in the outcome.
It was a very pleasant surprise- I will definitely be ordering every one of the series as they are released.
This was a fantastic and fun way to learn about historical events- with a modern flair. Think Magic Tree house for older kids- with a Dan Gutman flair, or I Survived with a lot of humor and middle grade students infused in the story. I love how fact and fiction are differentiated at the end, and we see the actual photographs of historical landmarks from the story. There is a diverse cast of characters who you really ‘get’. Their personalities are developed quickly to get you very invested in the outcome.
It was a very pleasant surprise- I will definitely be ordering every one of the series as they are released.
November 4, 2024
My son (age 9), is a huge history lover and loved this book. I on the other hand was not as impressed. I think that there was a lot of missed opportunities here.
Things I loved: history, facts, inclusion of speeches, the things they didn’t have back then v today including phrases, clothes, food etc.
Things I disliked: the characters were kind of terrible, Ms. Z has ALS and it’s treated as no big deal. It’s a huge deal. There was no need to add John Wilkes Booth to this story.
However, I can see the appeal for children and if you have a child that’s not interested in history these may be a fun way to get them interested in it.
Things I loved: history, facts, inclusion of speeches, the things they didn’t have back then v today including phrases, clothes, food etc.
Things I disliked: the characters were kind of terrible, Ms. Z has ALS and it’s treated as no big deal. It’s a huge deal. There was no need to add John Wilkes Booth to this story.
However, I can see the appeal for children and if you have a child that’s not interested in history these may be a fun way to get them interested in it.
October 10, 2017
I think my son enjoyed this one more than I did since he's starting to be interested in history but I didn't really care for the characters at all or their reason for going back. I feel like they could have been sent to do something more exciting than taking a picture of Lincoln I know they're not supposed to mess up history but wouldn't them going back and interacting with these people change history? I don't want to nitpick too much since I'm not the target audience but I wouldn't waste your time on this one.
December 29, 2017
There are no photographs of Abraham Lincoln delivering the Gettysburg Address, but Miss Z needs one for her collection. Having developed a method of time travel, 4 kids go back in time to snap the elusive photograph, but will they succeed without altering history?
Short, sweet, and full of educational information. Gutman includes an author's note telling the reader just which parts of the story are factual and which parts he made up. An exciting adventure where readers will pick up bits of history along the way.
Short, sweet, and full of educational information. Gutman includes an author's note telling the reader just which parts of the story are factual and which parts he made up. An exciting adventure where readers will pick up bits of history along the way.
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