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Lost in Space #1
Lost in Space: Return to Yesterday
A thrilling, original novel based on Netflix's smash hit Lost in Space! Perfect for fans eagerly awaiting season 2, this all-new story focuses on 11-year-old Will Robinson and his closest friend and greatest protector--a mysterious Robot with a dangerous past.
Thirty years in the future, Earth has become increasingly more uninhabitable, and a group of colonists--including Will, his two teenage sisters, and their parents--travels across the galaxy to establish a new home. But when the ship is attacked, the Robinsons are stranded on an alien planet where they must contend with disastrous technical issues, a hostile environment, and dangerous personalities to get off world and reach their colony.
One day, while exploring a remote complex of caves with his Robot, Will discovers a strange portal that allows him to travel back to Earth--to a time before the Robinsons left on their mission. Realizing the portal could be a way for the colonists to escape the planet and finally make their way to their new home, Will and his sisters decide to investigate it, triggering a series of events that not only changes their reality, but threatens the group's very existence. With the beings who created the portal in pursuit, Will must find a way to right the wrongs of the past and save his family's future.
Thirty years in the future, Earth has become increasingly more uninhabitable, and a group of colonists--including Will, his two teenage sisters, and their parents--travels across the galaxy to establish a new home. But when the ship is attacked, the Robinsons are stranded on an alien planet where they must contend with disastrous technical issues, a hostile environment, and dangerous personalities to get off world and reach their colony.
One day, while exploring a remote complex of caves with his Robot, Will discovers a strange portal that allows him to travel back to Earth--to a time before the Robinsons left on their mission. Realizing the portal could be a way for the colonists to escape the planet and finally make their way to their new home, Will and his sisters decide to investigate it, triggering a series of events that not only changes their reality, but threatens the group's very existence. With the beings who created the portal in pursuit, Will must find a way to right the wrongs of the past and save his family's future.
256 pages, Hardcover
Published November 19, 2019
43 people are currently reading
362 people want to read
About the author
Kevin Emerson
40 books446 followersAuthor of sixteen novels for children and young adults, most recently LAST DAY ON MARS, BREAKOUT, and the ATLANTEANS series. His books have been published in ten different countries. Formerly a science teacher and a creative writing teacher, Kevin is also a singer and drummer. He has won a spelling bee, lost a beauty pageant, and once appeared in a Swedish TV commercial.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
May 1, 2022
A book that is based on the television series. It is a very quick read as it only took me two days to read and I could probably have done it in a day. In this one, the kids find a doorway. This doorway lets people travel through time and space. If you have watched any time travel show or movie when we step in the past we affect it and it usually has dire consequences. This one is no different.
I wasn't really expecting a lot from this media tie-in story but it easily exceeded my expectations. I thought the author portrayed the children correctly as I had no problem imagining Will, Penny, and Judy and the Robot of course. What I really enjoyed about this book how the author incorporated a tiny event that really shouldn't have any consequences but turns out to be monumental. This aspect was so well done. It was clever but not in a way that children (the target audience of this book) will lose its point. And the solution was well done as it had elements of a caper where it never goes to plan. I also like how the lesson was learned and stayed that way.
This was just a fun book that was a very quick read. If you enjoy the television series I believe you will enjoy this book. While being fun it is also clever. And really. Can us fans not get enough of the Robot? I would like to thank my Goodreads friend Dora for pointing this book out to me. I did not know it existed until I saw it in her feed on this site. She really enjoyed and now I know why.
I wasn't really expecting a lot from this media tie-in story but it easily exceeded my expectations. I thought the author portrayed the children correctly as I had no problem imagining Will, Penny, and Judy and the Robot of course. What I really enjoyed about this book how the author incorporated a tiny event that really shouldn't have any consequences but turns out to be monumental. This aspect was so well done. It was clever but not in a way that children (the target audience of this book) will lose its point. And the solution was well done as it had elements of a caper where it never goes to plan. I also like how the lesson was learned and stayed that way.
This was just a fun book that was a very quick read. If you enjoy the television series I believe you will enjoy this book. While being fun it is also clever. And really. Can us fans not get enough of the Robot? I would like to thank my Goodreads friend Dora for pointing this book out to me. I did not know it existed until I saw it in her feed on this site. She really enjoyed and now I know why.
February 8, 2022
This book is for you if you've watched the Netflix sci-fi show Lost in Space. Otherwise, it won't make any sense.
It's a short story set between two episodes from season 1, just after the Robot's existence has been revealed to the colonists, and right before Will sends him walking off a cliff.
The premise is a fascinating one: Will discovers a mystery cave while exploring with his robot friend, and in that cave there's a sort of portal to the past, one in which he sees himself back on earth in his old bedroom. Not knowing what to do about it, he returns to their ship and tells Penny and Judy all about the portal. His sisters are skeptical at first, but soon discover that he was right. Long story short, Penny ends up traveling through the portal and changes their future, a future she is no longer part of. It is then in the hands of Will to do everything he can to get her back.
I love pretty much all stories that have time travel or a multiverse of some sort, and this one was no exception. Well written, entertaining and a cool addition to the TV series.
Bonus: the audiobook is narrated by the actor who plays Will Robinson on the show.
It's a short story set between two episodes from season 1, just after the Robot's existence has been revealed to the colonists, and right before Will sends him walking off a cliff.
The premise is a fascinating one: Will discovers a mystery cave while exploring with his robot friend, and in that cave there's a sort of portal to the past, one in which he sees himself back on earth in his old bedroom. Not knowing what to do about it, he returns to their ship and tells Penny and Judy all about the portal. His sisters are skeptical at first, but soon discover that he was right. Long story short, Penny ends up traveling through the portal and changes their future, a future she is no longer part of. It is then in the hands of Will to do everything he can to get her back.
I love pretty much all stories that have time travel or a multiverse of some sort, and this one was no exception. Well written, entertaining and a cool addition to the TV series.
Bonus: the audiobook is narrated by the actor who plays Will Robinson on the show.
May 11, 2024
4.25 stars ...
I had no idea what to expect going into this. I L❤️VED the Netflix series, which this is based on, but knew there was a strong chance that this tale would be lame and cheesy ... just an attempt to profit from the success of the TV show. However ... I enjoyed it very much! 😁 It kept with the "tone" of the series as well as the characters ... mostly focused on the young ones, Will, Penny, Judy, and, of course Robot. If you enjoyed the show, I'm confident you won't be disappointed with this. I'll certainly be reading the next one. 👍👍
I had no idea what to expect going into this. I L❤️VED the Netflix series, which this is based on, but knew there was a strong chance that this tale would be lame and cheesy ... just an attempt to profit from the success of the TV show. However ... I enjoyed it very much! 😁 It kept with the "tone" of the series as well as the characters ... mostly focused on the young ones, Will, Penny, Judy, and, of course Robot. If you enjoyed the show, I'm confident you won't be disappointed with this. I'll certainly be reading the next one. 👍👍
January 8, 2021
3.5⭐
Opinião completa no blog: https://bit.ly/35irSYv
Opinião completa no blog: https://bit.ly/35irSYv
January 12, 2021
Lost in Space is an amazing read and watch. The story is centered around the Robinsons family, and how they are now lost in the dark vacuum we call outer space. Lost in Space makes the reader or watcher attracted to the sub-protagonist Will Robinson and his robot guardian, whilst making some very displeased to look on the sub-antagonist Dr. Smith. If you want a good book to read, and an amazing time killer, please do read or watch this amazing trilogy.
April 25, 2020
A perfectly serviceable children's novel tie-in to the latest Lost in Space reboot, Return to Yesterday features some fairly fluffy time travel antics and aliens which I suspect would seem out of place on the Netflix show. It is nevertheless a moderately entertaining diversion told from the perspective of Will Robinson, heavily featuring his relationship with the robot and including moderate supporting roles from other characters major and minor.
April 9, 2022
short and sweet! really good audiobook
July 5, 2023
Super cool but you probably won't understand it if you haven't seen the show.
February 6, 2020
I bought this for my kids but had to read a few pages. I absolutely could not put this book down. This is a kid's book but it was so much fun and such an adventure I just completely got lost in it.
This is one of those books where you look up to see your living room and are kind of in shock you aren't on a starship or in a cave. The author just does an amazing job at putting the reader right in the character's shoes without being too detailed. I'm going to have to read another Emerson books, this was just too entertaining, funny, and atmospheric to not grab another one of his books.
So this initially reads like a story completely based on an episode but it isn't and you see that about chapters 3 or 4. This is centered more around Will his robot and Penny. Somethings mentioned in episodes are elaborated on, like their home life and a little bit more about their hobbies ect... We also get a peek at days before leaving Earth were like.
The only real reason for 4 stars instead of 5 was that I am just used to reading adult books and it was a little hard to get into this one, but I am so glad I gave it a few chapters!
I recommend this to anyone who likes Lost in Space
This is one of those books where you look up to see your living room and are kind of in shock you aren't on a starship or in a cave. The author just does an amazing job at putting the reader right in the character's shoes without being too detailed. I'm going to have to read another Emerson books, this was just too entertaining, funny, and atmospheric to not grab another one of his books.
So this initially reads like a story completely based on an episode but it isn't and you see that about chapters 3 or 4. This is centered more around Will his robot and Penny. Somethings mentioned in episodes are elaborated on, like their home life and a little bit more about their hobbies ect... We also get a peek at days before leaving Earth were like.
The only real reason for 4 stars instead of 5 was that I am just used to reading adult books and it was a little hard to get into this one, but I am so glad I gave it a few chapters!
I recommend this to anyone who likes Lost in Space
February 2, 2021
This book is based off of a show that a love and I didn’t have super high expectations for it but it ended up being really good!
July 1, 2022
Both of these LiS books by Kevin Emerson have a time-travel aspect to them and read almost like outtakes from the episodes, as if the producers of the Netflix show didn't want to go down the time-travel rabbit hole but Emerson was more than willing to oblige.
In the first one, Will, Robot and his sister Penny stumble upon some strange canisters in a cave and a space travel portal that can take them when and where ever they can picture -- even, before they left Earth.
They think they may've found a way to get out of their current predicament. Robot warns them, "Danger," but no one's listening. Unfortunately, Penny reaches through the portal and heads… back to middle / high school, to a time when she can get stuff -- like candy from the corner convenience store -- that she hasn't had in forever.
Awesome going home, right?
But then her actions, stealing an armful of candy and bringing it back to school and getting caught on surveillance cameras, sets events in motion that wipe her presence from the Robinsons' mission, splitting the family up forever and sending the successes the Robinsons have experienced so far into oblivion.
It's up to Will to figure out the time travel solution to the mess Penny's made of things. Add to that a few aliens upset that the Earth kids are using their technology in a way it wasn't designed, much less intended, and the Robinsons need all the help they can get from Robot to get out of this mess.
I think this takes place during Episode 4, season 1, when the Robinsons and Robot tag the cave as a "family."
We loved the Netflix series and enjoyed these books as continuations of our favorite space opera family's adventures!
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
In the first one, Will, Robot and his sister Penny stumble upon some strange canisters in a cave and a space travel portal that can take them when and where ever they can picture -- even, before they left Earth.
They think they may've found a way to get out of their current predicament. Robot warns them, "Danger," but no one's listening. Unfortunately, Penny reaches through the portal and heads… back to middle / high school, to a time when she can get stuff -- like candy from the corner convenience store -- that she hasn't had in forever.
Awesome going home, right?
But then her actions, stealing an armful of candy and bringing it back to school and getting caught on surveillance cameras, sets events in motion that wipe her presence from the Robinsons' mission, splitting the family up forever and sending the successes the Robinsons have experienced so far into oblivion.
It's up to Will to figure out the time travel solution to the mess Penny's made of things. Add to that a few aliens upset that the Earth kids are using their technology in a way it wasn't designed, much less intended, and the Robinsons need all the help they can get from Robot to get out of this mess.
I think this takes place during Episode 4, season 1, when the Robinsons and Robot tag the cave as a "family."
We loved the Netflix series and enjoyed these books as continuations of our favorite space opera family's adventures!
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
January 8, 2021
Adult and budding writer here! This was a fun quick read. Packed with imagery, imagination, suspense and lessons learned. You get exactly what you see on the cover. An outer-worldly adventure we could easily imagine to be true. I would want my kids to read it, if I had any. It certainly took me back to my childhood for a moment. The author does a good job of placing you in the action and giving you a stake in the outcome. I recommend this one to everyone.
May 8, 2023
i read it in french and was surprised to actually understand it and feel inside the adventure, it's well narrated and the story incorporated science fiction in an awesome way. i was a little disappointed because i thought it would be about everything that happened in the netflix series but it's a story apart, anyways i enjoyed it.
October 15, 2020
Me encanta que se publiquen libros basados en las series de televisión que me gustan. Este está pensado más para los niños, pero yo como adulta también me lo he pasado muy bien leyéndolo. Espero hacerme pronto con el otro libro y las novelas gráficas ambientadas en este universo.
February 26, 2021
My biggest complaint with this book is that it was too short. It was definitely a fun fast-paced story with entertaining characters and high stakes. Looking forward to the time when my library gets ahold of the sequels!
May 5, 2021
J'ai adoré ce livre! Il reprend l'histoire globale de la série Netflix mais avec une histoire qui lui est propre. Les personnages sont tout aussi attachants, juste je trouve dommage qu'il n'y ai pas dan, ou les autres perso de la série, il y a juste la famille robinson et le robot de Will.
December 28, 2021
Very Back To The Future. I did enjoy it, but definitely inspired by a certain 1980's film! Nice story from Wills point of view, with typical Penny antics. Definitely aimed more at young adults but still enjoyable as an adult reading it, ties nicely with the TV series.
June 23, 2025
Que historia tan fascinante sobre los viajes en el tiempo y aventuras en el espacio. El giro de trama es maravilloso, con un personaje que puedes identificarte rápido, y una historia que puedes leer sin necesidad de comenzar la serie (Mi caso)
January 13, 2020
Very well written for a children's book.
February 14, 2020
A quick read. Aimed primarily at younger readers, but in no way insulting to us older folks. Worth your time, and easily finished up on a lazy afternoon. In short: I enjoyed it.
September 21, 2020
Great book!!! Super fun, lots of action. Hard to put down. Lots of nice twists too. The book ties in nicely with the tv series. I hope there are more to come in this series. It was a joy to read.
November 13, 2020
Very well written and suspensful
December 17, 2020
It was a AWSOME BBBBBBBBBBBBBBOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOK!! so much ADVENCHER!d
March 6, 2021
So cute! I'm gonna rewatch lost in space again
May 7, 2021
Don't tp big, not omg enough. But good book.
Read
December 2, 2021This story has reinstated my love for science fictions.
If you have watched the netflix series before, you would probably love this new angle to the story else it wont make much sense.
If you have watched the netflix series before, you would probably love this new angle to the story else it wont make much sense.
January 7, 2023
Short but fine. I enjoyed the reading though the robot in the book was more of a babysitter-bot but it's okay.
January 14, 2023
5 stars
LOST IN SPACE SUPREMACY
and will robinson supremacy too 🙇♀️🙏
perfect for fans of lost in space!!
LOST IN SPACE SUPREMACY
and will robinson supremacy too 🙇♀️🙏
perfect for fans of lost in space!!
May 4, 2024
As a Sci-Fi fan, I loved this seies especially with a traitor on Board.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews