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Time School: We Will Remember Them
A power cut and a series of mini disasters means friends, Jess, Nadia, Tomma and Ash barely make it to the station to catch their train to school. What they find is a far cry from the usual packed commuter train they're expecting...
When they arrive at Hickley School, the children are surprised to find some of the buildings missing and they don't recognise any of the other pupils, who are all dressed in a different style of uniform. The only person who takes the time to help them is Martha, despite being preoccupied by her own worries about her family being hungry and not hearing from brother, Henry whom she says is away fIghting.
The children soon realise this is no normal day and it's not until they return home that they're able to figure out what happened. What they don't know is whether it was a one-off day, or if they will get to see Martha and the other pupils again. Jess hopes so. She has something she needs to tell Martha. Not knowing how or why, she feels a connection and an obligation to this girl she can't explain.
When they arrive at Hickley School, the children are surprised to find some of the buildings missing and they don't recognise any of the other pupils, who are all dressed in a different style of uniform. The only person who takes the time to help them is Martha, despite being preoccupied by her own worries about her family being hungry and not hearing from brother, Henry whom she says is away fIghting.
The children soon realise this is no normal day and it's not until they return home that they're able to figure out what happened. What they don't know is whether it was a one-off day, or if they will get to see Martha and the other pupils again. Jess hopes so. She has something she needs to tell Martha. Not knowing how or why, she feels a connection and an obligation to this girl she can't explain.
129 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 8, 2018
47 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
July 17, 2018
Book Reviewed by Stacey on www.whisperingstories.com
After a power cut in the middle of the night, friends Jess, Nadia, Tomma, and Ash are all running late for school. They live in a little village and travel to school via the train which leaves at exactly 8am. The friends just make their train by jumping into the last carriage.
Not long into the journey, they start to notice strange things, such as how old the coach they are in looks and also that the train is a steam train, not the usual electric train. Upon arrival at their stop, the friends jump out and realise that the journey has taken longer than normal. In a rush to get to school they don’t notice the old fashioned cars, outfits the people are wearing, nor the cobbled streets. However, all that changes when they arrive at the school. It quickly becomes apparent that they have travel back in time to 1918 and the days just before the end of WWI.
How will the four friends cope in this time period and can they return to their own time?
Time School is the first in what I hope is going to be a series following the four friends, if not, it certainly should be. The book reads like an Enid Blyton novel. It is about a group of friends having an adventure and trying to work out why they have been sent back in time.
The book touches on subjects such as schooling, rationing, women going to work whilst the men were fighting in the war and the loss of life by young men fighting too. It doesn’t go into any great detail on any of these subjects, but I presume this is because of the age the book is aimed at.
It is just over 100 pages long so won’t take a child too long to get through it. This is a fun, clean mystery/adventure book. There is also a surprising, yet happy ending too.
After a power cut in the middle of the night, friends Jess, Nadia, Tomma, and Ash are all running late for school. They live in a little village and travel to school via the train which leaves at exactly 8am. The friends just make their train by jumping into the last carriage.
Not long into the journey, they start to notice strange things, such as how old the coach they are in looks and also that the train is a steam train, not the usual electric train. Upon arrival at their stop, the friends jump out and realise that the journey has taken longer than normal. In a rush to get to school they don’t notice the old fashioned cars, outfits the people are wearing, nor the cobbled streets. However, all that changes when they arrive at the school. It quickly becomes apparent that they have travel back in time to 1918 and the days just before the end of WWI.
How will the four friends cope in this time period and can they return to their own time?
Time School is the first in what I hope is going to be a series following the four friends, if not, it certainly should be. The book reads like an Enid Blyton novel. It is about a group of friends having an adventure and trying to work out why they have been sent back in time.
The book touches on subjects such as schooling, rationing, women going to work whilst the men were fighting in the war and the loss of life by young men fighting too. It doesn’t go into any great detail on any of these subjects, but I presume this is because of the age the book is aimed at.
It is just over 100 pages long so won’t take a child too long to get through it. This is a fun, clean mystery/adventure book. There is also a surprising, yet happy ending too.
June 7, 2020
This is a really enjoyable, well done middle grade book about four British children who accidentally go back in time to 1918. The four friends end up experiencing the end of the first world war as children in their own school, seeing what it was like back then for the kids who attended. They begin by getting on the wrong train, a steam engine that takes them back to the past. They experience attending their school as it was when it was new, learn what it was like for families during the war, and see how their town looked in those days. The story moves along well and the characters are likeable.
This would make a great read-aloud to accompany a unit on WW1 and that era. I'd love to see this become a series like the Magic Treehouse books, since it's a similar premise with slightly older kids (7th grade) and better writing. Sweet, educational and fun, this is a short read but a good one.
I read a digital ARC of this book for review.
This would make a great read-aloud to accompany a unit on WW1 and that era. I'd love to see this become a series like the Magic Treehouse books, since it's a similar premise with slightly older kids (7th grade) and better writing. Sweet, educational and fun, this is a short read but a good one.
I read a digital ARC of this book for review.
July 13, 2018
An example of how literature can inspire you people. Here is a modern scripted book with an up to date young person's novel which combines school days with a dollop of history and mysterious time travel.
The way young people learn history is often through modern reconstructions and re-enactments of life as it was at that time; with access to first-hand accounts, artefacts from the period and visual materials like film accounts or audio extracts.
I have been blessed in the past 12 months to have visited France and Belgium and seen sites, memorials and museums commemorating the Centenary of the end of the First World War, in 1918.
The incidents that resonates with me most were the number of school children visiting cemeteries and standing during the Last Post at the Menin Gate.
Imagine if just before a school project on life at home during the Great War, your normal train journey to school becomes a portal in time and when you alight from the carriage the train has transported you 100 years back. As you are late you hardly notice until your school looks different and remarkably clean. It takes a while for the four friends to work out what has happened or why it has affected only them. At first, they think it is to make a difference especially to Martha who befriends them but apart from her preoccupation with her brother getting home safely from the war there seems little the school friends can know or influence. In the end they take it upon themselves to value the experience as a unique chance to understand what it was like 100 years ago.
Always clear with strong characterisation and dialogue there is a distinction between the two-time zones, some good and some bad.
It turns the thought of a school re-union on the head and is written with real empathy and skill that leaves me as moved as hearing the bugle playing fading in the Flemish night.
A great read, that will move anyone and perhaps help a reader to remember them.
The way young people learn history is often through modern reconstructions and re-enactments of life as it was at that time; with access to first-hand accounts, artefacts from the period and visual materials like film accounts or audio extracts.
I have been blessed in the past 12 months to have visited France and Belgium and seen sites, memorials and museums commemorating the Centenary of the end of the First World War, in 1918.
The incidents that resonates with me most were the number of school children visiting cemeteries and standing during the Last Post at the Menin Gate.
Imagine if just before a school project on life at home during the Great War, your normal train journey to school becomes a portal in time and when you alight from the carriage the train has transported you 100 years back. As you are late you hardly notice until your school looks different and remarkably clean. It takes a while for the four friends to work out what has happened or why it has affected only them. At first, they think it is to make a difference especially to Martha who befriends them but apart from her preoccupation with her brother getting home safely from the war there seems little the school friends can know or influence. In the end they take it upon themselves to value the experience as a unique chance to understand what it was like 100 years ago.
Always clear with strong characterisation and dialogue there is a distinction between the two-time zones, some good and some bad.
It turns the thought of a school re-union on the head and is written with real empathy and skill that leaves me as moved as hearing the bugle playing fading in the Flemish night.
A great read, that will move anyone and perhaps help a reader to remember them.
January 9, 2021
I loved this time travel adventure! Four children take the train for school. It’s not their regular train, they realize later, and it takes them to school alright, but back to November 1918. They learn about WWI and Armistice Day, and rescue a little girl who could have died without them. When they finally return home to the right year by the same train, they know they’ve had a life-changing adventure — an important one as the identity of the little girl is revealed. Well-written with characters you care about — and a terrific way to teach history to young readers!
5 of 5 Stars
Pub Date 05 Mar 2020
Thanks to the author, Hashtag Press, and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are mine.
#TimeSchool #NetGalley
5 of 5 Stars
Pub Date 05 Mar 2020
Thanks to the author, Hashtag Press, and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are mine.
#TimeSchool #NetGalley
July 15, 2018
This is a super book, I hope series, in which young children can be introduced to important time periods in history in a way that helps them experience a small slice of it themselves through the characters. Four school friends, two girls and two boys, journey to school via the train but on a day that everything seems to go wrong they all get in the last carriage, the only travellers in there. When they get off they have arrived at the same station but 100 years back in time.
The characters had a good feel factor about them like the famous five of my days, where I just wanted to be one of the children on the adventures. This story does the same. So many learning opportunities are in the book to relate to, from the difference in clothing to rationing and what it was like first hand for children in WW1. There is also a more personal reason for the children to be back in time. One that will give the reader an adrenaline rush.
The story is just over a hundred pages, well set out with large poster type notes with added information on some pages. It all goes to keep a child intrigued in what is going on. The language isn’t over complicated either making it continuous reading that a child would fully understand. Everything seems to have been really thought out including the population of the town and layout of buildings and streets. A super adventure with lots of historical facts for curious minds.
The characters had a good feel factor about them like the famous five of my days, where I just wanted to be one of the children on the adventures. This story does the same. So many learning opportunities are in the book to relate to, from the difference in clothing to rationing and what it was like first hand for children in WW1. There is also a more personal reason for the children to be back in time. One that will give the reader an adrenaline rush.
The story is just over a hundred pages, well set out with large poster type notes with added information on some pages. It all goes to keep a child intrigued in what is going on. The language isn’t over complicated either making it continuous reading that a child would fully understand. Everything seems to have been really thought out including the population of the town and layout of buildings and streets. A super adventure with lots of historical facts for curious minds.
July 18, 2018
Time School is a young person’s novel (don’t want to say YA but also not children’s either) which combines Hogwarts-esque school adventures with time travel combined with a fun and interesting history lesson on WWI.
Four friends are late, almost missing their train to school. They unknowingly jump on the last carriage and are puzzled to find they are the only travellers on that carriage. Things become even more strange for them (OK, that’s an understatement) when the pull into the school only to find they have travelled back 100 years in time.
Told from the viewpoint of Jess, Time School is a gentle foray into the past and touches on the experiences of those who lived through the First World War in an intelligent way. At just over 100 pages Time School is just the perfect length for children of primary school age, and the plot moves along quickly and has enough happening in it to keep hold of their short attention spans.
It’s a lovely story with a happy ending, and I’ve given it to my son for him to read on holiday. He is 11 and I think this would be a quick and easy read for him, so may be suitable for children quite a bit younger than him.
Four friends are late, almost missing their train to school. They unknowingly jump on the last carriage and are puzzled to find they are the only travellers on that carriage. Things become even more strange for them (OK, that’s an understatement) when the pull into the school only to find they have travelled back 100 years in time.
Told from the viewpoint of Jess, Time School is a gentle foray into the past and touches on the experiences of those who lived through the First World War in an intelligent way. At just over 100 pages Time School is just the perfect length for children of primary school age, and the plot moves along quickly and has enough happening in it to keep hold of their short attention spans.
It’s a lovely story with a happy ending, and I’ve given it to my son for him to read on holiday. He is 11 and I think this would be a quick and easy read for him, so may be suitable for children quite a bit younger than him.
May 11, 2020
Thank you Netgalley and to the author Nikki Young, for allowing me to read this book in return for my honest review.
The story begins as Jess and her three best friends, Nadia, Ash and Tomma experience simultaneous power cuts, causing their alarm clocks to fail. Running late for the train, they take a shortcut through bushes, jumping into the last carriage, just in time. In their hurry they fail to notice how old the and slow the train is, and where are all the other passengers?
Arriving at school, they realised they have in fact traveled through time to 1918 in the midst of the first word war.
An inspirational pre-teen novel which combines historical fiction with mystery and time travel. This would make an ideal series, teaching our young people important periods in history in a fun and modern way.
The story begins as Jess and her three best friends, Nadia, Ash and Tomma experience simultaneous power cuts, causing their alarm clocks to fail. Running late for the train, they take a shortcut through bushes, jumping into the last carriage, just in time. In their hurry they fail to notice how old the and slow the train is, and where are all the other passengers?
Arriving at school, they realised they have in fact traveled through time to 1918 in the midst of the first word war.
An inspirational pre-teen novel which combines historical fiction with mystery and time travel. This would make an ideal series, teaching our young people important periods in history in a fun and modern way.
August 15, 2018
After a power cut leads to all the clocks stopping overnight, Jess and her friends are running late for school and have to cut through a hedge to get to the station in time for the train. In their hurry they don't realise at first how strange and old fashioned the train is, or how slow it is going. When they arrive at school though, they realise they have gone back in time to the First World War. Will they be able to get back home to their own time, and will they ever find out why this happened to them?
An interesting account of life in the war, viewed by outsiders.
An interesting account of life in the war, viewed by outsiders.
April 12, 2020
#TimeSchool #NetGalley
++++++++++++++++++Jess, Nadia, Tomma and Ash are running late as their alarm clocks didn’t go off due to a power outage. They all ride the train together to get to school. The cars are full except for the last one so they ride in that one. Something is different about this car though.
They end up in a time travel adventure that is surprising.
I don't want to give any of this away, so I will say I read this in one sitting and really enjoyed it.
I like the blending of past events as being "present" ones as they go back in time.
4 stars go get this one.
My thanks to the author and NetGalley for the arc ebook in exchange for an honest review.
+
back cover
When they arrive at Hickley School, the children are surprised to find some of the buildings missing and they don’t recognise any of the other pupils, who are all dressed in a different style of uniform. The only person who takes the time to help them is Martha, despite being preoccupied by her own worries about her family being hungry and not hearing from brother, Henry whom she says is away fIghting.
The children soon realise this is no normal day and it’s not until they return home that they’re able to figure out what happened. What they don’t know is whether it was a one-off day, or if they will get to see Martha and the other pupils again. Jess hopes so. She has something she needs to tell Martha. Not knowing how or why, she feels a connection and an obligation to this girl she can’t explain
++++++++++++++++++Jess, Nadia, Tomma and Ash are running late as their alarm clocks didn’t go off due to a power outage. They all ride the train together to get to school. The cars are full except for the last one so they ride in that one. Something is different about this car though.
They end up in a time travel adventure that is surprising.
I don't want to give any of this away, so I will say I read this in one sitting and really enjoyed it.
I like the blending of past events as being "present" ones as they go back in time.
4 stars go get this one.
My thanks to the author and NetGalley for the arc ebook in exchange for an honest review.
+
back cover
When they arrive at Hickley School, the children are surprised to find some of the buildings missing and they don’t recognise any of the other pupils, who are all dressed in a different style of uniform. The only person who takes the time to help them is Martha, despite being preoccupied by her own worries about her family being hungry and not hearing from brother, Henry whom she says is away fIghting.
The children soon realise this is no normal day and it’s not until they return home that they’re able to figure out what happened. What they don’t know is whether it was a one-off day, or if they will get to see Martha and the other pupils again. Jess hopes so. She has something she needs to tell Martha. Not knowing how or why, she feels a connection and an obligation to this girl she can’t explain
July 19, 2018
Time School is a time slip novel written for older children so I read it to my ten year old daughter - and occasional co-reviewer - Maggie. She has written her own review which I'll share below mine.
Exactly how four teenage friends, Jess, Nadia, Tomma and Ash find themselves back in time isn't fully explained during the novel other than it's their usual train to school which becomes the portal that takes them back a hundred years. The hows aren't important though for this is primarily a book which explores some of the differences between the two periods, particularly the responsibilities and worries that young people living through a war had to endure. By featuring contemporary teenagers experiencing some of the highs and lows of the period, the contrast between their lives in 2018 and that of their fellow pupils in 1918 ensures the book is immediately relatable to younger readers. The four protagonists are well developed and clearly defined, each bringing something to the book although it is very much a story centred on Jess and her emotional journey throughout the novel. I believe Time School is to be the first in a series with the following books focusing on the other children in turn. There's enough here to make that an intriguing prospect, the four may be friends but they are all very different and how they each cope with their adventures will be an interesting read. Jess is the least confident of the group and the one most deeply affected by their experiences in this book. Though her natural inclination is to avoid challenging situations, she eventually learns that like the young people from 1918, she too has an inner strength she can call upon.
Though a relatively short book, Nikki Young's eloquent writing brings the period alive and gives readers a vivid glimpse into the trials and tribulations of life on the Home Front during wartime, from the fears for relatives fighting overseas through to the more daily practicalities such as food shortages and children having to take on jobs in their home as their mothers went out to work to fill the roles vacated by the men away at war. The differences between schooling now and then features heavily too and I suspect most young readers will be very glad they don't have to wear the dreadful uniforms and endure the rigid education and strict rules of the past!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Time School to my daughter; it was a pleasure to read aloud and gave us lots to talk about. Though set in a difficult moment in our history, there are some lovely humorous moments too and though I'd more or less worked out the mystery, I thought it was well integrated into the story. There were even a few poignant scenes which brought a tear to my eye - with the 100th anniversary of the Armistice coming up later this year Time School is an important and touching reminder of the sacrifices made for us by our forebears.
*Maggie's Review*
Time School is an excellent book, filled with curiosity, bravery and some sneaky humour. The reason this book was absolutely awesome was because it was packed with questions and even some secrets hidden right under your nose. I really enjoyed this story, and it really told me a little more about the First World War. It was clearly a very difficult time for the people at home, waiting for their fathers and brothers to finally come home from the war, and if they never did, they’d all be so devastated. It makes me so so grateful for the sacrifices that soldiers have made for our peace today. I also liked how Jess and Martha were really good friends and bonded more than Ash, Tomma and Nadia did. This is one of the BEST books ever!! I always looked forward to reading this, and I think my mum did too as sometimes we managed to read until 10pm when we started at 9! I rate this five stars as it is BRILLIANT! I think that the fact that there were people from nowadays going right back into the olden days is funny as they got so confused and hated almost everything about it. I could really relate to the four of them which helped me understand more about how different it was back then. Well, amazing job, Nikki Young! I can’t wait to read even MORE of your books!
Exactly how four teenage friends, Jess, Nadia, Tomma and Ash find themselves back in time isn't fully explained during the novel other than it's their usual train to school which becomes the portal that takes them back a hundred years. The hows aren't important though for this is primarily a book which explores some of the differences between the two periods, particularly the responsibilities and worries that young people living through a war had to endure. By featuring contemporary teenagers experiencing some of the highs and lows of the period, the contrast between their lives in 2018 and that of their fellow pupils in 1918 ensures the book is immediately relatable to younger readers. The four protagonists are well developed and clearly defined, each bringing something to the book although it is very much a story centred on Jess and her emotional journey throughout the novel. I believe Time School is to be the first in a series with the following books focusing on the other children in turn. There's enough here to make that an intriguing prospect, the four may be friends but they are all very different and how they each cope with their adventures will be an interesting read. Jess is the least confident of the group and the one most deeply affected by their experiences in this book. Though her natural inclination is to avoid challenging situations, she eventually learns that like the young people from 1918, she too has an inner strength she can call upon.
Though a relatively short book, Nikki Young's eloquent writing brings the period alive and gives readers a vivid glimpse into the trials and tribulations of life on the Home Front during wartime, from the fears for relatives fighting overseas through to the more daily practicalities such as food shortages and children having to take on jobs in their home as their mothers went out to work to fill the roles vacated by the men away at war. The differences between schooling now and then features heavily too and I suspect most young readers will be very glad they don't have to wear the dreadful uniforms and endure the rigid education and strict rules of the past!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Time School to my daughter; it was a pleasure to read aloud and gave us lots to talk about. Though set in a difficult moment in our history, there are some lovely humorous moments too and though I'd more or less worked out the mystery, I thought it was well integrated into the story. There were even a few poignant scenes which brought a tear to my eye - with the 100th anniversary of the Armistice coming up later this year Time School is an important and touching reminder of the sacrifices made for us by our forebears.
*Maggie's Review*
Time School is an excellent book, filled with curiosity, bravery and some sneaky humour. The reason this book was absolutely awesome was because it was packed with questions and even some secrets hidden right under your nose. I really enjoyed this story, and it really told me a little more about the First World War. It was clearly a very difficult time for the people at home, waiting for their fathers and brothers to finally come home from the war, and if they never did, they’d all be so devastated. It makes me so so grateful for the sacrifices that soldiers have made for our peace today. I also liked how Jess and Martha were really good friends and bonded more than Ash, Tomma and Nadia did. This is one of the BEST books ever!! I always looked forward to reading this, and I think my mum did too as sometimes we managed to read until 10pm when we started at 9! I rate this five stars as it is BRILLIANT! I think that the fact that there were people from nowadays going right back into the olden days is funny as they got so confused and hated almost everything about it. I could really relate to the four of them which helped me understand more about how different it was back then. Well, amazing job, Nikki Young! I can’t wait to read even MORE of your books!
November 8, 2018
Thank you to the publishers for providing an ARC of this book through NetGalley.
This is a short story following four secondary school aged children as they time travel using an old steam train. It was really engaging, and quite fun to read, though it was quite difficult to gauge the proper target audience as it felt too mature for a young audience but too young for a young adult.
This is a short story following four secondary school aged children as they time travel using an old steam train. It was really engaging, and quite fun to read, though it was quite difficult to gauge the proper target audience as it felt too mature for a young audience but too young for a young adult.
July 19, 2018
Sweet story about 4 school children who go back in time to WW I. While they are there, they gain understanding about life during the war. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to be an early reader in exchange for my fair and honest review.
February 6, 2019
It was okay. I didn't finish it however. It simply didn't hold my attention. I tried several times to finish it.
December 31, 2022
Middle grade but hard hitting. Really enjoyed going to read the rest of the series too. Think this is a set I'm going to buy for my local library too!!
October 28, 2018
Review to come!
August 17, 2019
Four friends are late for school. Rushing onto a local train at the last minute, they suddenly find that they are in an old-fashioned railway carriage and that modern life has disappeared. When they get to school, the later additions to the building have vanished, everyone is in an unrecognisable uniform and girls and boys are separated. They have travelled back a hundred years in time. There is a war on...
This is a pacy and thrilling read that would be equally enjoyable to the 8-12s or the young adult market. The book and its chapters are short and accessible, meaning that the story steams along just like the train that opens it. The historical mystery in which the young people are caught maintains the interest throughout and the novel builds to a terrific climax.
At first I wasn't sure which World War we were in - references to bombs, "the allies" and "digging for victory" wrongly made me think it was the Second - but the truth soon unfolds and the discovery of Martha, her family and their links to the protagonists is nicely satisfying. There's a clever twist on the usual timeslip novel for children in that the protagonists are not only expected at the past school, but are somehow still living their parallel lives in the present day, though sadly this is not explained. It may be, however, that Nikki is saving this for future books. The use of a well-chosen subtitle suggests this is the first in a series - I hope so, since the idea of turning a school (as well as a train) into a time machine is a clever one and there would be potential for the young people to visit other periods and whatever buildings were on the site. The Victorian school? A monastery holding out against Henry VIII? A Roman villa with patrician kids far from home studying there? (There are a few ideas for you, Nikki, if you can use them!)
Published in 2018 on the hundredth anniversary of the end of World War I, it's an excellent time for children to discover that period and the sacrifices that this generation made. It's a well-written and enthralling book and, since it's told very visually and is dialogue-driven, would also work well on TV.
I'd like to thank Nikki for my copy of the book in exchange for my honest review, and for her review of my novel for the same age group, Childish Spirits, which you can read on her excellent blog here:
https://www.nikkiyoung.co.uk/2019/08/...
This is a pacy and thrilling read that would be equally enjoyable to the 8-12s or the young adult market. The book and its chapters are short and accessible, meaning that the story steams along just like the train that opens it. The historical mystery in which the young people are caught maintains the interest throughout and the novel builds to a terrific climax.
At first I wasn't sure which World War we were in - references to bombs, "the allies" and "digging for victory" wrongly made me think it was the Second - but the truth soon unfolds and the discovery of Martha, her family and their links to the protagonists is nicely satisfying. There's a clever twist on the usual timeslip novel for children in that the protagonists are not only expected at the past school, but are somehow still living their parallel lives in the present day, though sadly this is not explained. It may be, however, that Nikki is saving this for future books. The use of a well-chosen subtitle suggests this is the first in a series - I hope so, since the idea of turning a school (as well as a train) into a time machine is a clever one and there would be potential for the young people to visit other periods and whatever buildings were on the site. The Victorian school? A monastery holding out against Henry VIII? A Roman villa with patrician kids far from home studying there? (There are a few ideas for you, Nikki, if you can use them!)
Published in 2018 on the hundredth anniversary of the end of World War I, it's an excellent time for children to discover that period and the sacrifices that this generation made. It's a well-written and enthralling book and, since it's told very visually and is dialogue-driven, would also work well on TV.
I'd like to thank Nikki for my copy of the book in exchange for my honest review, and for her review of my novel for the same age group, Childish Spirits, which you can read on her excellent blog here:
https://www.nikkiyoung.co.uk/2019/08/...
May 7, 2020
Time School by Nikki Young is a fun yet informative children's book aimed at the middle grade, or children of 8 to 12 years. It is a time slip story that takes a group of four young friends into the past and follows them as they learn about the history of their area. It all starts with a disastrous morning where all four are running late for school and just about make it onto the last carriage of the train that takes them from their village to the nearby town where they attend school. Its only when they have calmed down from the fluster of racing for the train that they notice that the carriage seems very old fashioned , and then when they arrive at the school they notice that none of their friends are there, and the children who are are dressed in a strange and very old fashioned uniform. It seems that they have travelled back in time to 1918, and are in for something of a rude awakening when they are forced to attend classes without computers , instead having to use pen and ink. Over the course of the day they learn a lot about what life is like in that time, making friends with a girl whose brother is away fighting in the war, and whose mother is a nurse working in a nearby hospital caring for wounded soldiers. Despite enjoying the experience they are glad to return to their own time , but when they realise that they could experience Armistice Day they decide to travel back again, and when they do, they not only experience a moment in history at first hand, but also manage to save the life of one of their ancestors.
This was a simply but very well written book, one that children would not struggle to read , and not only would they enjoy the adventure story but they would also learn about a difficult period in history. I loved the four friends, they each brought something different to the story, and although the focus is on Jess, it is clear that a lot of care and attention has gone into each character. The character growth for Jess throughout the book is really good, she develops her confidence in a way that would be encouraging to other shy children,
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.
This was a simply but very well written book, one that children would not struggle to read , and not only would they enjoy the adventure story but they would also learn about a difficult period in history. I loved the four friends, they each brought something different to the story, and although the focus is on Jess, it is clear that a lot of care and attention has gone into each character. The character growth for Jess throughout the book is really good, she develops her confidence in a way that would be encouraging to other shy children,
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.
January 25, 2021
It is clear from the beginning what the author is trying to plan for the young audience, to introduce them to a part of history that is significant to all of us, even though we have now moved on from that time. That sometimes we all need a little perspective of what happened in order to have a better appreciation for the life we are currently living.
The concept of this book seems like a nice and compelling one, especially targeted to a young audience. I could see many a young child gleefully not only reading all the words off the page in anticipation, but also learn something which is a part of all our histories. Because we have all had that dream of being able to be a part of a major part in history, when we know what is to happen, due to living in the future from the event.
Even though this is a fairly short book, it can serve more as an introduction to a young child and their knowledge of the first world war. Although it is not the most perfect book, there are some positives, such as giving some background to how school was like, how people celebrated the end of the war, to helping people in need because it is the right thing to do. It may seem like because it is a short book not much ground could be covered, but this is not necessarily true for Time School.
However, I feel like despite the book highlighting some aspects of history and how these friends help those who need to be helped, it feels a little flat. There isn't much to do with conflict where instead it feels like a fairly easy journey of the plot going from point A to point B. Obviously this is still a children's book and it is not meant to be too complicated, but I think it would have been a little bit more engaging.
Ultimately, while I don't particularly feel like this is a great book, I don't think it is a really bad book either. I think maybe this book would be a no-brainer during this particular time when trying to get children to read, yet still learn and be entertained.
The concept of this book seems like a nice and compelling one, especially targeted to a young audience. I could see many a young child gleefully not only reading all the words off the page in anticipation, but also learn something which is a part of all our histories. Because we have all had that dream of being able to be a part of a major part in history, when we know what is to happen, due to living in the future from the event.
Even though this is a fairly short book, it can serve more as an introduction to a young child and their knowledge of the first world war. Although it is not the most perfect book, there are some positives, such as giving some background to how school was like, how people celebrated the end of the war, to helping people in need because it is the right thing to do. It may seem like because it is a short book not much ground could be covered, but this is not necessarily true for Time School.
However, I feel like despite the book highlighting some aspects of history and how these friends help those who need to be helped, it feels a little flat. There isn't much to do with conflict where instead it feels like a fairly easy journey of the plot going from point A to point B. Obviously this is still a children's book and it is not meant to be too complicated, but I think it would have been a little bit more engaging.
Ultimately, while I don't particularly feel like this is a great book, I don't think it is a really bad book either. I think maybe this book would be a no-brainer during this particular time when trying to get children to read, yet still learn and be entertained.
September 15, 2018
Time School is a story about four children who through a power cut and a series of events that morning, catch a train to school as they do every day but on this day as they get in the carriage to go to school, realise that things are different, there are empty sections of the train, steam blowing from the train and the scenery seems to be completely different as they travel along the rails.
On arrival at school, they are faced with a school which is not like their normal school despite being called the same. They are in a different uniform and everything is really bizarre for them. They get to met a girl called Martha who to Jess is strangely familiar but she has no idea why. This was a lovely book and the author has done a magnificent job weaving in the past events that have happened with the fiction of the present in this book. I loved how we are left wondering which year they are in and it is only as you read the book that things become clear which when both Amelia and I discovered this were like “Wow”.
This was a book I loved loved loved reading with Amelia. It was a book we could discuss and with us both being fascinated as to how the story was progressing. I admit to having a guess along the way with sometimes being right but also getting some guesses wrong. I was extremely disappointed when it came to me calling the book a day some evenings as was really excited to see how the story would progress and would sometimes have to sneak in an extra chapter when Amelia had gone to bed to see how things would pan out. (I know I’m a bad mum, but I will say that I enjoyed reading those chapters again with Amelia to watch her face as the story slotted into place for her).
On arrival at school, they are faced with a school which is not like their normal school despite being called the same. They are in a different uniform and everything is really bizarre for them. They get to met a girl called Martha who to Jess is strangely familiar but she has no idea why. This was a lovely book and the author has done a magnificent job weaving in the past events that have happened with the fiction of the present in this book. I loved how we are left wondering which year they are in and it is only as you read the book that things become clear which when both Amelia and I discovered this were like “Wow”.
This was a book I loved loved loved reading with Amelia. It was a book we could discuss and with us both being fascinated as to how the story was progressing. I admit to having a guess along the way with sometimes being right but also getting some guesses wrong. I was extremely disappointed when it came to me calling the book a day some evenings as was really excited to see how the story would progress and would sometimes have to sneak in an extra chapter when Amelia had gone to bed to see how things would pan out. (I know I’m a bad mum, but I will say that I enjoyed reading those chapters again with Amelia to watch her face as the story slotted into place for her).
August 11, 2018
Jess, Nadia, Tomma and Ash are running late as their alarm clocks didn’t go off due to a power outage. They all meet at the train statin and manage to get on the last train car. As they sit down, they are surprised that they re the only ones in this car. Why? When they arrive at their school, they don’t recognize it as it looks different. The boys outside the school are wearing a type of uniform. The teacher tell the girls they should not be at the boys school area and takes them to the girls area. They are truly puzzled and a little scared. They didn’t want to be separated as everything is different. They wonder if somehow they are back in time. If so, why are they there?
The story is written well. The children’s dialogue is quite realistic in that is the way I think kids at that age talk to each other. The descriptions took me with them in their venture of time travel. While the novel has the science fiction action of time travel, it is also about history. It is about living life during a world war. Friendship in this novel is also an important part of the novel including kindness to others. It’s a great story to read. Don’t miss out!
Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book free from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I was not obliged to write a favorable review, or even any review at all. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
The story is written well. The children’s dialogue is quite realistic in that is the way I think kids at that age talk to each other. The descriptions took me with them in their venture of time travel. While the novel has the science fiction action of time travel, it is also about history. It is about living life during a world war. Friendship in this novel is also an important part of the novel including kindness to others. It’s a great story to read. Don’t miss out!
Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book free from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I was not obliged to write a favorable review, or even any review at all. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
April 28, 2020
Time School by Nikki Young: 4 time pieces out of 5!
The story sets out as four friends, a power surge and a series of morning disasters causing each of them to be at risk of missing their train to school! Once at the station the foursome barely make it on only to find that that they have boarded a train that leads them a down surprisingly new but much older path – to 1918! What ensues is an adventure the four friends will never forget!
This story was read with my 10-year-old daughter, who stated she liked the time travelling premise and how the four friends were different in diversity, gender and personality but together make up a solid friend pact! She liked the historical learning and enjoyed new ways to look at events from the past with modern eyes. We both enjoyed aspects that spoke to the meaning of friendship, foraging together to problem solve and learning to trust each other but also one’s self! The book was inviting to young readers, used friendly and engaging language and created an interesting atmosphere that left my daughter wanting to know where the next adventure might take the foursome!
Thank you to NetGalley and Hastag press for an electronic ARC in trade for an honest review!
The story sets out as four friends, a power surge and a series of morning disasters causing each of them to be at risk of missing their train to school! Once at the station the foursome barely make it on only to find that that they have boarded a train that leads them a down surprisingly new but much older path – to 1918! What ensues is an adventure the four friends will never forget!
This story was read with my 10-year-old daughter, who stated she liked the time travelling premise and how the four friends were different in diversity, gender and personality but together make up a solid friend pact! She liked the historical learning and enjoyed new ways to look at events from the past with modern eyes. We both enjoyed aspects that spoke to the meaning of friendship, foraging together to problem solve and learning to trust each other but also one’s self! The book was inviting to young readers, used friendly and engaging language and created an interesting atmosphere that left my daughter wanting to know where the next adventure might take the foursome!
Thank you to NetGalley and Hastag press for an electronic ARC in trade for an honest review!
September 15, 2020
Oh this was a fantastic find! Reminded me a bit of Charlotte Sometimes which is one of my faves that I must read again. I do love a good time travel story and this was brilliant. I was also really relieved when the way they got to 1918 was the same way they could get home again - time travel stories kinda stress me out when I'm worried they're gonna get stuck haha. And this was such an interesting idea, how they went back to their school, but there was a place for them there, like they were on the rolls and all the teachers knew them. Loved it.
December 30, 2020
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from netgalley for a review!
I thought this was a well done time travel story for early middlegrade readers; it reminded me of the Magic Treehouse series. There were some hand waving moments, like the school having clothes for all the kids in their sizes and the fact that their names were on roll and nobody in the future noticing they were missing, but that wasn’t the point of this lighthearted adventure story.
The main point is mentioned early on—it’s about connecting with the past to make sense of the present.
I thought the friends were cute together and I liked the main character’s family. There are enough hints throughout that the ending isn’t surprise for an adult reader, but maybe it will be for a younger audience?
I thought this was a well done time travel story for early middlegrade readers; it reminded me of the Magic Treehouse series. There were some hand waving moments, like the school having clothes for all the kids in their sizes and the fact that their names were on roll and nobody in the future noticing they were missing, but that wasn’t the point of this lighthearted adventure story.
The main point is mentioned early on—it’s about connecting with the past to make sense of the present.
I thought the friends were cute together and I liked the main character’s family. There are enough hints throughout that the ending isn’t surprise for an adult reader, but maybe it will be for a younger audience?
August 14, 2018
I think 5th grade up will enjoy this time travel book. It takes place partly, during WW 1, which immediately made it of interest to me. WW1 figures in very little youth fiction, it's nice to see someone covering it. This story gets off to an amazingly fast start with a power outage that leads Jess to rush to catch a train to get to school. From there it's a pretty fun joyride for the reader as the story quickly switches to the past, as Jess and her friends are transported to somewhere between 1915 and 1917. Quite a history lesson! Anyway it's a short read and fun.
I received a Kindle ARC from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.
I received a Kindle ARC from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.
April 21, 2020
I received a temporary digital advanced copy of Time School by Nikki Young from NetGalley, Hashtag Press, and the author in exchange for an honest review.
Four English seventh year students board the train for school after a chaotic morning due to their alarm clocks stopping in the middle of the night. Jess, Nadia, Tomma and Ash don't realize that they board a very different looking train than the one they usually take and are transported to 1918 at the end of the First World War. During their short stay, Jess, Nadia, Tomma and Ash make friends with Martha and impact the future with their helpful presence in the past.
Time School was a fantastic middle-grade fiction novel that I would use in my classroom to supplement a WWI unit or suggest to a student for further reading. The use of science fiction through the time travel elements would further enhance their learning. However, I would have liked Young to go into a little more detail on life on the home-front in England during WWI.
Four English seventh year students board the train for school after a chaotic morning due to their alarm clocks stopping in the middle of the night. Jess, Nadia, Tomma and Ash don't realize that they board a very different looking train than the one they usually take and are transported to 1918 at the end of the First World War. During their short stay, Jess, Nadia, Tomma and Ash make friends with Martha and impact the future with their helpful presence in the past.
Time School was a fantastic middle-grade fiction novel that I would use in my classroom to supplement a WWI unit or suggest to a student for further reading. The use of science fiction through the time travel elements would further enhance their learning. However, I would have liked Young to go into a little more detail on life on the home-front in England during WWI.
April 20, 2020
First sentence: “Has anyone ever asked where you come from? Do you know? Mr Mundair?” “Yes, Miss. I came from Kirkshaw this morning.” Ash Mundair. Already firmly established as the class joker within the first few weeks of the Year Sevens beginning their secondary school careers.
Premise/plot: Four friends: Jess, Nadia, Tomma, and Ash find themselves running late for school one day--they catch the morning train--just barely. But they sit in the last car, something they've never done before. They soon notice that all is not as it should be! Their train is now a STEAM TRAIN. The destination remains the same--the village where their school is located. But they've gone BACK IN TIME.
What was Hickley School like in 1918?!?!
My thoughts: I love, love, love, love, love time travel stories. I do. I would recommend this one to anyone who loves time travel stories OR to those with an interest in world war I.
Premise/plot: Four friends: Jess, Nadia, Tomma, and Ash find themselves running late for school one day--they catch the morning train--just barely. But they sit in the last car, something they've never done before. They soon notice that all is not as it should be! Their train is now a STEAM TRAIN. The destination remains the same--the village where their school is located. But they've gone BACK IN TIME.
What was Hickley School like in 1918?!?!
My thoughts: I love, love, love, love, love time travel stories. I do. I would recommend this one to anyone who loves time travel stories OR to those with an interest in world war I.
April 23, 2020
*Thank you for the digital ARC of Time School by Nikki Young from NetGalley, Hashtag Press, and the author in exchange for an honest review.*
Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres, so I knew this would be right up my alley. I loved the addition of the time travel elements for Jess, Nadia, Tomma and Ash to experience England during WWI if just for a short bit. I really enjoyed the twist at the end and how it brought the whole story together.
Time School was a great middle-grade novel that I think many kids would enjoy. It was a fantastic quick read. I can't wait to add it to my classroom library!
Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres, so I knew this would be right up my alley. I loved the addition of the time travel elements for Jess, Nadia, Tomma and Ash to experience England during WWI if just for a short bit. I really enjoyed the twist at the end and how it brought the whole story together.
Time School was a great middle-grade novel that I think many kids would enjoy. It was a fantastic quick read. I can't wait to add it to my classroom library!
November 30, 2020
Travel back in time to save the life of your Great Granny! Take the train to preserve your family’s lineage and your own existence. What an adventure! Learn about life in the past, how WW1 started and when it finished. High drama and history for children (MG)
Loved by my 10 year old boy!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to #NetGalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review
Loved by my 10 year old boy!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to #NetGalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review
July 5, 2018
eARC: Netgalley
Cute lightweight story to introduce younger readers to WWI. There isn't a lot of detail, but that's probably due to the age of the target audience. With the allure of a Harry Potteresque train and the excitement of time travel, I think children will enjoy this book!
Cute lightweight story to introduce younger readers to WWI. There isn't a lot of detail, but that's probably due to the age of the target audience. With the allure of a Harry Potteresque train and the excitement of time travel, I think children will enjoy this book!
August 12, 2018
This book is obviously aimed at younger readers, probably between the ages 10-12. As a young reader I think I would have enjoyed this book, and I think this book would be a good choice for anyone that age to read.
I got a copy of this book from Netgalley.
I got a copy of this book from Netgalley.
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