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In Time #2
A Christmas in Time
When Alex and Ruby fall through the mirror in their aunt’s house, they find themselves in a different historical period, each time with a different task to perform before they can return to the present. From Edwardian crime capers to Victorian Christmasses, their time-slip stories are always exciting and beautifully told.
A Victorian Christmas is lovely – all the food and candles and games and singing – unless you’re poor, motherless Edith who is condemned to be sent to a cruel boarding school on Boxing Day. Can Alex and Ruby persuade her strict father that home is where the heart is instead?
Classic storytelling from a brilliant writer and beautifully illustrated throughout by Rachael Dean, with covers by Isabelle Follath. One of these books is never enough!
A Victorian Christmas is lovely – all the food and candles and games and singing – unless you’re poor, motherless Edith who is condemned to be sent to a cruel boarding school on Boxing Day. Can Alex and Ruby persuade her strict father that home is where the heart is instead?
Classic storytelling from a brilliant writer and beautifully illustrated throughout by Rachael Dean, with covers by Isabelle Follath. One of these books is never enough!
200 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2020
4 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
About the author
Sally Nicholls
44 books280 followers Sally Nicholls is a prize-winning British children's author. She was born and grew up in Stockton-on-Tees. On finishing school, Nicholls chose to travel around the world. Her first novel was Ways to Live Forever.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
January 5, 2022
Для дітей 10+ чудово
August 12, 2025
Це було так по-дитячому казково
Вся ця магія Різдва і т.д.
Це друга частина серії наче і я не до кінця розуміла що до чого
І оцей уклон на вірі
Типу він священик прийняв таке життя для себе і дочку вирішив заперти в якусь християнську школу
Каже йому рідний брат, що це школа з поганою репутацією
А він а от там якийсь священик так її хвалить
Короче мені не сподобалось 😅
Оцінка 2/5
Вся ця магія Різдва і т.д.
Це друга частина серії наче і я не до кінця розуміла що до чого
І оцей уклон на вірі
Типу він священик прийняв таке життя для себе і дочку вирішив заперти в якусь християнську школу
Каже йому рідний брат, що це школа з поганою репутацією
А він а от там якийсь священик так її хвалить
Короче мені не сподобалось 😅
Оцінка 2/5
December 30, 2024
Чудова добра історія з максимально Різдвяним настроєм. В історії поєднані і пригоди і якісь вкладені сенси. Тому я щиро рекомендую цю історію.
December 20, 2020
There's something intensely appealing about what Sally Nicholls does in A Christmas In Time, and that is to tell a really good story. It's something we ask a lot of people to do but not many people can deliver on. Telling a story is hard. Telling a story that has pace, roundness, accessibility, satisfaction, and some very delicious descriptions of food, is super hard. But Nicholls is good at it and this is such a solid, good treat.
A Christmas In Time sees Alex and Ruby head back into a Victorian Christmas to solve a historic family crisis. It's part of a series of timeslip adventures but able to be read in its own right (always a good sign) and reads in an immensely accessible manner. In terms of timeslip books, it's younger than perhaps something like the blessed Tom's Midnight Garden and Charlotte Sometimes and so presents a really gorgeous opportunity for readers building their confidence and skill in tackling bigger books.
I really loved this. There's very little here you can pick at because it's just all so well done. Nicholls manages to drop some nicely handled commentary on gender attitudes, whilst also making the historic seem intensely present. It's so very easy to see people 'from history' as part of that - cold, static and distant, but here they're lively and lovely and really rather wonderful.
I have no hesitations about this book, none.
My thanks to the publisher for the review copy.
A Christmas In Time sees Alex and Ruby head back into a Victorian Christmas to solve a historic family crisis. It's part of a series of timeslip adventures but able to be read in its own right (always a good sign) and reads in an immensely accessible manner. In terms of timeslip books, it's younger than perhaps something like the blessed Tom's Midnight Garden and Charlotte Sometimes and so presents a really gorgeous opportunity for readers building their confidence and skill in tackling bigger books.
I really loved this. There's very little here you can pick at because it's just all so well done. Nicholls manages to drop some nicely handled commentary on gender attitudes, whilst also making the historic seem intensely present. It's so very easy to see people 'from history' as part of that - cold, static and distant, but here they're lively and lovely and really rather wonderful.
I have no hesitations about this book, none.
My thanks to the publisher for the review copy.
January 26, 2024
Love that the author didn't overcomplicate the story and that they ended this time travel story on a wholesome ending.
Its always fun to know in the end who they ended up visiting. Looking forward to more wholesome adventures
Its always fun to know in the end who they ended up visiting. Looking forward to more wholesome adventures
December 15, 2022
Хороша дитяча книга.
July 5, 2022
Ruby and Alex are spending Christmas at their Aunt Joanna’s having to help out in her B&B, though neither being excited about Christmas there. Ruby makes a wish to celebrate it any other time and their magic time portaling mirror answers her wish. Back to a Victorian Christmas they go, where they must help the families cousin from being sent to a detrimental school and change her life for the better.
Alex and Ruby adapted so quickly to the changes even though they weren’t that easy. They blended in with their historical family as though they were naturally apart of that and I really enjoyed that aspect of it. It was just as though they belonged exactly where they were.
The story itself was interesting with the kids from modern times travelling in to the past and having to live in it for a few days learning so much. Though it wasn’t a perfect story, it still held my attention enough, it was still an easy read and a cute enough story. The children were all really excited for Christmas and wanted to make it as special as they could for Edith and uncle Elijah but it wasn’t easy to do as they were both really sad.
I liked seeing the progression of the two characters and seeing how Ruby and Alex were able to try and persuade the changes to happen. I also loved seeing the Victorian era come alive, though it was done really simply it was still really beautifully described.
If you are looking for an easy to read historical book that will be both fun and give you a glimpse into the past and how they did Christmas this will give you that certainly. It blends the modern and the historical together nicely.
Alex and Ruby adapted so quickly to the changes even though they weren’t that easy. They blended in with their historical family as though they were naturally apart of that and I really enjoyed that aspect of it. It was just as though they belonged exactly where they were.
The story itself was interesting with the kids from modern times travelling in to the past and having to live in it for a few days learning so much. Though it wasn’t a perfect story, it still held my attention enough, it was still an easy read and a cute enough story. The children were all really excited for Christmas and wanted to make it as special as they could for Edith and uncle Elijah but it wasn’t easy to do as they were both really sad.
I liked seeing the progression of the two characters and seeing how Ruby and Alex were able to try and persuade the changes to happen. I also loved seeing the Victorian era come alive, though it was done really simply it was still really beautifully described.
If you are looking for an easy to read historical book that will be both fun and give you a glimpse into the past and how they did Christmas this will give you that certainly. It blends the modern and the historical together nicely.
January 16, 2021
The Story begins when Alex and Ruby stumble across an antique mirror in their Aunt’s house. But this isn’t just any old mirror, it’s a portal to the past! In this mirror, they can see their ancestors from a different time, and not just see them… they can step through the mirror and mingle with them, meet them, talk to them and help solve their problems.
In A Christmas in Time Alex and Ruby find themselves in the midst of Christmas stress of getting EVERYTHING ready for their B+B guests as their Aunt has, unfortunately, broke her leg. But who wants to do boring Christmas jobs like tidy the house, peel potatoes and lay the table! This sounds like the perfect opportunity to check out ‘The Mirror’ to see what magical journey they can embark on.
I really enjoyed this story and you will too especially if you are a fan of history and in particular the Victorians. Sally has obviously had a passion for history and you can tell by the sheer level of detail she has put in when describing things like the mouth-watering food, clothing and the homely candlelit atmosphere.
A really beautifully told story and one I was transported too almost instantly. Perfect for readers aged 7 or older who like getting the warm and fuzzies.
In A Christmas in Time Alex and Ruby find themselves in the midst of Christmas stress of getting EVERYTHING ready for their B+B guests as their Aunt has, unfortunately, broke her leg. But who wants to do boring Christmas jobs like tidy the house, peel potatoes and lay the table! This sounds like the perfect opportunity to check out ‘The Mirror’ to see what magical journey they can embark on.
I really enjoyed this story and you will too especially if you are a fan of history and in particular the Victorians. Sally has obviously had a passion for history and you can tell by the sheer level of detail she has put in when describing things like the mouth-watering food, clothing and the homely candlelit atmosphere.
A really beautifully told story and one I was transported too almost instantly. Perfect for readers aged 7 or older who like getting the warm and fuzzies.
February 5, 2021
I hugely enjoyed the first book in this series, ‘A Chase in Time,’ so was thrilled to get my hands on the festive, ‘A Christmas in Time.’ Alex and Ruby are back in another time slip adventure and their aunt’s magical mirror has transported them to a Victorian Christmas. Meeting a familiar face makes things easier but they still have to figure out why they have been sent back in time. Despite the cheer and fun of the season, one of the cousins Edith is desperately sad, destined to be sent off to a horrible boarding school. Can Alex and Ruby find a way to save her from a terrible fate? Once again Sally has brought together superb characterisation with a richly, detailed journey to the past. I loved the chaos and disorder in the house and the wildness of the children who really know how to enjoy themselves which contrasts greatly with Edith’s inability to join in with the others. The attention to historical detail is richly imagined and fascinating. I particularly loved the scene where Ruby is getting dressed and is subjected to the horrors of the corset An absolute romp of an adventure that is bound to delight and entertain children, I’m so looking forward to the next books in the series coming next year.
December 28, 2022
I was pleasantly surprised with this children's novel, because time travel books are incredibly hard to maintain for flow and continuity, and they often adopt the one-character-per-chapter 'switching', which I hate because it taxes the memory so much (and sadly, we all have reduced attention spans and memory in the modern world!)
Instead, author Sally Nicholls takes a warm, inventive tale, and embeds the reader in the life of the characters so there is a real connection felt. She then uses her descriptions of settings, clothes, habits and environments and contrasts those with now and then. Applecott House, the family home of the Pilgrim family, is the central point of the time travel. Alex and Ruby Pilgrim go back in time, Christmas time, from present-day Applecott House to the house during the time of their Victorian ancestors in 1873. The illustrations by Rachael Dean bring the text to life as well.
This will be an enticing and entertaining series for primary-school aged kids, and tweens, who enjoy history, adventure, family and friendship.
Instead, author Sally Nicholls takes a warm, inventive tale, and embeds the reader in the life of the characters so there is a real connection felt. She then uses her descriptions of settings, clothes, habits and environments and contrasts those with now and then. Applecott House, the family home of the Pilgrim family, is the central point of the time travel. Alex and Ruby Pilgrim go back in time, Christmas time, from present-day Applecott House to the house during the time of their Victorian ancestors in 1873. The illustrations by Rachael Dean bring the text to life as well.
This will be an enticing and entertaining series for primary-school aged kids, and tweens, who enjoy history, adventure, family and friendship.
January 7, 2024
Bardzo sympatyczna historia dla młodszych czytelników. Jeśli chodzi o język to nie zawsze należy do tych najprostszych, ale jeżeli ktoś ma ochotę poćwiczyć język to zachęcam. To rodzeństwo przenosi nie tylko w czasie, ale i w totalnie świąteczny klimat.
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Skok w przeszłość, żeby przeżyć przygodę i zmienić losy rodziny? Czemu nie? Te dzieciaki wspólnymi siłami dbają o to, aby ich rodzina była bezpieczna i stała się taką jaką oni znają. Skok przez lustro pozwala im również przeżyć święta jak dawniej, według dawnych tradycji, w gronie dużej rodziny. Przywołuje to bardzo miłe wspomnienia u czytelnika. Rodzina, ścinanie choinki, wspólne aktywności. To tylko kilka takich świątecznych elementów. Dlatego zachęcam do lektury i refleksji w te święta.
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Skok w przeszłość, żeby przeżyć przygodę i zmienić losy rodziny? Czemu nie? Te dzieciaki wspólnymi siłami dbają o to, aby ich rodzina była bezpieczna i stała się taką jaką oni znają. Skok przez lustro pozwala im również przeżyć święta jak dawniej, według dawnych tradycji, w gronie dużej rodziny. Przywołuje to bardzo miłe wspomnienia u czytelnika. Rodzina, ścinanie choinki, wspólne aktywności. To tylko kilka takich świątecznych elementów. Dlatego zachęcam do lektury i refleksji w te święta.
December 19, 2025
Alex and Ruby Pilgrim love to visit their aunt, the owner of a magical mirror that transports the children into other realms. Stepping through the mirror, Alex and his sister, Ruby, find themselves transported back to Victorian England. The children and a Victorian Christmas in 1872 while trying to solve a historical problem. Edith, a distant relative, is due to be sent to Scotsborough, a horrible boarding school on Boxing Day. The siblings who are familiar with the history of this school need to find a way to stop Edith's father from sending her there.
It is a well written story that encompasses so much in such a short space and delivers some timely messages. A thoroughly enjoyable read that entails the tropes of gendered equality,tradition, and family.
It is a well written story that encompasses so much in such a short space and delivers some timely messages. A thoroughly enjoyable read that entails the tropes of gendered equality,tradition, and family.
January 13, 2022
Прегарна і легенька до читання книга. Можливо, не найзахопливіша, проте саме те, що потрібно на Різдво, якщо всю класику ви перечитали. Милі головні персонажі, які дещо нагадують кожну дитину. Багато цікавинок: як святкували Різдво в вікторіанську епоху, деталі одягу, забавок, чи навіть книг, які були популярні в той час. Тому, рекомендую для святкового прочитання
December 4, 2020
A sweet Christmas time-switch story. I haven't read #1 of this series, and I probably won't, as these are a little too young for me, but I did enjoy it, and I'm sure children would love these books.
December 30, 2024
A charming time travel story where Ruby and Alex travel back in time and celebrate a Victorian Christmas. A great book to show children that history is not all that far away or removed from us, that children are children in any time or place.
December 1, 2025
This is a cute little story that shows a glimpse into the way in which Victorians celebrated Christmas. It makes a nice companion to other Victorian classics such as Little Women. The only issue is with the Romanian translation, which is a bit weird at times.
December 29, 2025
A delightful story in the time travelling adventures of Ruby and Alex. Through a mirror in Applecott House they travel back in time to their ancestors times. This to a Victorian Christmas to change the direction of cousin Edith. Easyish read, cute characters, a touch of history.
October 28, 2020
It was an ok book.
It wasn't the best I've read, I thought it was very long winded
It wasn't the best I've read, I thought it was very long winded
December 21, 2020
Such a charming read! I loved this step into Victorian Christmas. I imagine junior school children would love this book!
January 6, 2021
Heart-warming
January 14, 2021
A nice book thats a nice story for children around 8. It was enjoyable and obviously part of a series. I enjoyed it.
November 22, 2022
Хороша легка зимова історія. Але для мене вже занадто проста. А от для молодшого й середнього шкільного віку біде те, що треба.
June 9, 2024
It a okay book
December 15, 2024
A fun Christmas adventure with detailed historical snippets of the past.
December 27, 2025
I got this book from an advent calendar. I was expecting something more thrilling, but it was just ok.
July 18, 2023
🎄Алекс і Рубі знову приїзджають до маєтку Еплкот, позапланово та ще й на Різдво. Чарівне дзеркало чекає їх на своєму місці і запрошує до нової мандрівки. Цього разу брат і сестра, опиняються в 1872 році, у вікторіанській епосі, де знову знайомляться зі своїми прародичами.
🎄Як і в першій частині, діти багато дізнаються про побут того часу, відчують на собі відсутність центрального опалення, водопостачання, користуватимуться вуличним туалетом, а окрім того відсвяткують незвичайне Різдво, отримають тогочасні подарунки, заспівають давніх колядок і десь між цим всим врятують свою давню родичку від вірогідної смерті.
🎄Знаєте, мені завжди здавалося, що вікторіанська епоха це про холод, голод, сирітство, закриті школи-пансіонати з одвічними епідеміями та нестерпними викладачками-монахинями. Власне все це тут є, але окрім того, є щаслива багатодітна родина, в якій панує любов та повага. До дітей не відносяться, як до безмозких ляльок, а ті шанують одне одного та батьків, хоча час від часу й піджартовують над деким. Наявність слуг не звільняє від прибирання за собою та домашніх обов'язків. Скромні подарунки цілком компенсуються розвагами та часом проведеним разом. Звичайно, авторка наша сучасниця і можливо багато що видумала, але мені подобається таке її позитивне бачення епохи правління королеви Вікторії. Особливо в різдвяній книзі.
🎄Як і в першій частині, діти багато дізнаються про побут того часу, відчують на собі відсутність центрального опалення, водопостачання, користуватимуться вуличним туалетом, а окрім того відсвяткують незвичайне Різдво, отримають тогочасні подарунки, заспівають давніх колядок і десь між цим всим врятують свою давню родичку від вірогідної смерті.
🎄Знаєте, мені завжди здавалося, що вікторіанська епоха це про холод, голод, сирітство, закриті школи-пансіонати з одвічними епідеміями та нестерпними викладачками-монахинями. Власне все це тут є, але окрім того, є щаслива багатодітна родина, в якій панує любов та повага. До дітей не відносяться, як до безмозких ляльок, а ті шанують одне одного та батьків, хоча час від часу й піджартовують над деким. Наявність слуг не звільняє від прибирання за собою та домашніх обов'язків. Скромні подарунки цілком компенсуються розвагами та часом проведеним разом. Звичайно, авторка наша сучасниця і можливо багато що видумала, але мені подобається таке її позитивне бачення епохи правління королеви Вікторії. Особливо в різдвяній книзі.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews