Going, Going, Gone

In Due Time #1

by Nicholas O. Time

Three middle schoolers travel back in time on a madcap adventure with the help of a library book in this laugh-out-loud start to the brand-new series, In Due Time.Going, Going, Gone opens in the library at Sands Middle School where strange things are happening. Vikings burst out of bookcases, Albert Einstein appears out of nowhere, and is that Jackie Robinson tossing a baseball in the corner of the room?When Librarian Valerie Tremt tells three students that one of the library books, The Book of Memories, is actually a time travel portal, the kids don’t believe her at first. But when they ask to see a dinosaur as proof and suddenly there is a terrifying T-Rex in the library, they realize she isn’t kidding around.Now that he can time travel, twelve-year-old Matt knows exactly where he wants to go. In the summer of 1951, Matt’s grandfather Joe was on the path to becoming a major league baseball player. But at a 4th of July BBQ, Joe danced a little too close to the edge of a swimming pool and—splash!—he fell in and hurt his ankle. What should have been a minor injury turned out to be a career-ending one. Always the optimist, Joe used to say, “Because of the accident, I met the girl I was going to marry, so it was all worth it.”Matt wants to go back in time to prevent the accident from ever occurring, so his grandfather can have the career he deserved! But can he successfully alter his grandfather’s past without changing his own future? Only time will tell…

Genres: Time Travel

161 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 5, 2016

Reviews

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, time travel book. The main characters in this book were about the age of 12, but I felt the story was written in a much simpler, younger tone that would appeal to those about the age of 8 or 9; yet, the reading level was more advanced than I'd recommend for most 8 year olds. The main characters also felt younger than 12. So, the entire book felt a little off to me. But, maybe it was just because I was expecting an older book.

It was a fun jaunt through history. The librarian reminded me a lot of Ms. Frizzle from the Magic School Bus. The author included some historical notes at the end that were fun. There were some inconsistencies about time travel in the book that bothered me a bit.

[Angie Titus · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute little time travel romp. I liked the friendship this group had.

[Renee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Second book I have read recently about kids going back in time to a famous time in history. Kids who enjoy Magic Tree House will like this and it is a little longer of a book than that series.

Cons: I didn't buy the fact that the kids were told that they could go back and change one small thing that wouldn't change history. The boy went back and helped save his Grandpa from a fall that caused an injury, ruining his opportunity to play baseball in the big leagues.
I would think that one's life would be very different if that career option was given to someone. I didn't think that was a believable "small change" that wouldn't change a person's life drastically.

[Jonna VanWienen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A time travel book featuring an amazing librarian and a mysterious Book of Memories. The three kids can go back in time and make a small change that will make a difference. Interacting with their grandpa and the 50s life provides a challenge. The kids must help him in a three hour window or risk being stuck forever. More books and adventures of the club will follow.