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In Time #1
A Chase in Time
A fast-paced adventure full of car chases, arson and cake!
The old gilt-edged mirror has hung in Alex’s aunt’s house for as long as he can remember. Alex hardly notices it, until the day he and his sister are pulled through the mirror, back into 1912. It’s the same house, but a very different place to live, and the people they meet need their help. Soon they’re caught up in car chases and treasure hunts as they race to find a priceless golden cup – but will they ever be able to return to their own time?
From multi-award-winning author Sally Nicholls, A Chase In Time is the first in a brilliant time-slip adventure series for 7+ readers, beautifully illustrated inside by Rachael Dean, with cover illustrations by Isabelle Follath.
The old gilt-edged mirror has hung in Alex’s aunt’s house for as long as he can remember. Alex hardly notices it, until the day he and his sister are pulled through the mirror, back into 1912. It’s the same house, but a very different place to live, and the people they meet need their help. Soon they’re caught up in car chases and treasure hunts as they race to find a priceless golden cup – but will they ever be able to return to their own time?
From multi-award-winning author Sally Nicholls, A Chase In Time is the first in a brilliant time-slip adventure series for 7+ readers, beautifully illustrated inside by Rachael Dean, with cover illustrations by Isabelle Follath.
195 pages, Paperback
First published August 2, 2018
3 people are currently reading
140 people want to read
About the author
Sally Nicholls
44 books276 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 - 21 of 21 reviews
August 10, 2019
4.5
I just loved this. It had so many things that I know I am predisposed towards liking - a presumably magic mirror, traveling back in time, fun engaging characters, illustrations by Brett Helquist... it was everything I had hoped for and I had such a great time reading it!
It was a solid, highly enjoyable four star read, but the way everything came together in the final chapters brought tears to my eyes, so I've bumped up the rating! I wouldn't be surprised if I read this again and I'm already eagerly awaiting the next one!
I just loved this. It had so many things that I know I am predisposed towards liking - a presumably magic mirror, traveling back in time, fun engaging characters, illustrations by Brett Helquist... it was everything I had hoped for and I had such a great time reading it!
It was a solid, highly enjoyable four star read, but the way everything came together in the final chapters brought tears to my eyes, so I've bumped up the rating! I wouldn't be surprised if I read this again and I'm already eagerly awaiting the next one!
December 26, 2018
Time-slip story with a difference.
4.5 stars. There are plenty of stories about time travel for children, the one this reminds me of most is Tom's Midnight Garden, as the majority of this is set within the confines of one house, and also takes the characters to a similar time period, there is also a good deal of interaction with other characters of the period.
Alex and Ruby are in their great-aunt's house, that she is soon to have to leave, when they notice strange people inside the old mirror. Without warning, the siblings are pulled through into the house they see in the mirror, and into their family of 1912...
Able to blend in a little, with a family wedding coming up and guests around, Alex and Ruby spend time with the Edwardian children who must be relatives of theirs, and find themselves caught up in a gentle crime/mystery.
It's easy to get caught up in the story, Alex and Ruby make numerous observations about life in the past, the clothes and cars, behaviour and language - it's the sorts of things we'd all ask about. The other characters they meet are charismatic (nice to have an unusual occupation like 'anthropologist' make an appearance too, a field authentically popular at the time).
The crime/mystery story moves quickly, the children play a large role in solving the issues, and the time-slip itself is never explained but left in a way that means future episodes are possible.
I liked the way the two time periods connected, with family members and the house, and hopefully the two will intersect again. I can imagine that children aged around 8-11 will find this an accessible story that moves quickly, contains boys and girls they will identify with, gives an enjoyable look at the past.
I'll look out for Nicholls' next in the series.
4.5 stars. There are plenty of stories about time travel for children, the one this reminds me of most is Tom's Midnight Garden, as the majority of this is set within the confines of one house, and also takes the characters to a similar time period, there is also a good deal of interaction with other characters of the period.
Alex and Ruby are in their great-aunt's house, that she is soon to have to leave, when they notice strange people inside the old mirror. Without warning, the siblings are pulled through into the house they see in the mirror, and into their family of 1912...
Able to blend in a little, with a family wedding coming up and guests around, Alex and Ruby spend time with the Edwardian children who must be relatives of theirs, and find themselves caught up in a gentle crime/mystery.
It's easy to get caught up in the story, Alex and Ruby make numerous observations about life in the past, the clothes and cars, behaviour and language - it's the sorts of things we'd all ask about. The other characters they meet are charismatic (nice to have an unusual occupation like 'anthropologist' make an appearance too, a field authentically popular at the time).
The crime/mystery story moves quickly, the children play a large role in solving the issues, and the time-slip itself is never explained but left in a way that means future episodes are possible.
I liked the way the two time periods connected, with family members and the house, and hopefully the two will intersect again. I can imagine that children aged around 8-11 will find this an accessible story that moves quickly, contains boys and girls they will identify with, gives an enjoyable look at the past.
I'll look out for Nicholls' next in the series.
June 28, 2018
Thanks to Nosy Crow for providing an advance copy for review. A modern take on a traditional Enid Blyton style mystery, A Chase in Time is a fun time travel adventure with larger than life characters and great period detail. When Alex and Ruby fall through their aunt’s mirror they are transported back to 1912 where they need to solve a mystery in order to get home. Some of the language could be challenging for younger readers but this is a perfect book to read to children as a bedtime story or for older/more confident readers to read alone. A great start to a new series - recommended for 7+.
May 31, 2018
I love time-travel books and this was a great kids one that was written with the flavour of old-fashioned children's stories. Well worth a read and a solid 4.5 stars.
July 29, 2018
Lovely new series - MG readers will love it
October 27, 2018
Brilliant tale of time travel, learning about the past and a bit of doing what’s right! Really enjoyed this! Hoping there’s going to be a second book!
October 11, 2020
I don’t think I’ll remember this book.
But I got it in a hotel book library after I finished my last one. It was in English and the rest weren’t.
I’m not the intended audience of this book. I’ll admit that. But as a teacher I have read a lot of books at this level and this doesn’t have “it” for me.
The premise is good enough. Two kids from the 21st century get transported to 1912 through a mirror. It details the differences in their lives now to the lives of kids back then. Then something gets stolen, we have a quick old school car chase and then it’s over.
Happy endings all around.
Except those who didn’t. It starts to touch on WW1 and it’s immediate impact on the characters involved with the kids adventure.
It’s an easy read if you’re aged 9-12 i suppose.
But I got it in a hotel book library after I finished my last one. It was in English and the rest weren’t.
I’m not the intended audience of this book. I’ll admit that. But as a teacher I have read a lot of books at this level and this doesn’t have “it” for me.
The premise is good enough. Two kids from the 21st century get transported to 1912 through a mirror. It details the differences in their lives now to the lives of kids back then. Then something gets stolen, we have a quick old school car chase and then it’s over.
Happy endings all around.
Except those who didn’t. It starts to touch on WW1 and it’s immediate impact on the characters involved with the kids adventure.
It’s an easy read if you’re aged 9-12 i suppose.
February 14, 2020
Thanks to Nosy Crow for providing an advance copy for review. A modern take on a traditional Enid Blyton style mystery, A Chase in Time is a fun time travel adventure with larger than life characters and great period detail. When Alex and Ruby fall through their aunt’s mirror they are transported back to 1912 where they need to solve a mystery in order to get home. Some of the language could be challenging for younger readers but this is a perfect book to read to children as a bedtime story or for older/more confident readers to read alone. A great start to a new series - recommended for 7+.
November 3, 2020
A mystery story which had lots of different twists and turns within a spiralling adventure. The story had great imagination which very much has an old-fashioned theme to family heritage within 1912. Worth a read for a short story about how 2 great grandchildren got lost in time in their old house and have to work out how to find a stolen cup as well as work out how to get their way back home in the 21st century. Recommend for Yr 6+
October 29, 2020
so worth having it shipped from the UK cause it’s not in the US yet!
Two modern siblings travel to 1912 via a mirror in their aunt’s bed and breakfast. Mystery solving, meeting ancestors, and a bit of magic—a cute middle grade. 🍭
Two modern siblings travel to 1912 via a mirror in their aunt’s bed and breakfast. Mystery solving, meeting ancestors, and a bit of magic—a cute middle grade. 🍭
December 15, 2018
A time-travelling adventure with a slightly nostalgic feel...lots of fun.
September 8, 2020
An exciting, action-packed time-travel adventure story that's perfect for young readers.
November 9, 2020
Nostalgia! On to the second book!
June 13, 2022
A fun quick read with a surprisingly sad note at the end.
October 30, 2022
A wonderfully written book, envelopes you like a warm blanket. I read this aloud to my 7 year old and he loved it too. Can’t wait to read the rest of the series.
December 11, 2022
Дуже хороша дитяча книжка!
December 22, 2022
3.5 stars!
This was really fun!
This was really fun!
December 16, 2023
Fun and short read. The adventure in the past was short and sweet and i'm left with questions about the cup, how much it fetched , but i guess its up to the second book to answer
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2024
Fairly standard time travel fare, the sort of story I loved as a child. All the elements of a time travel adventure are here. It is perfectly paced for middle grade readers. A fun read.
January 14, 2025
For book club!
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December 25, 2024This was a fun time travelling journey for kids that kept me entertained. I'm looking forward to starting the next book in the series.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews