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A Most Unusual Friday Knight
Age: Middle grade (8-12)
Genre: Sci-fi/time travel
Blurb:
History is now in the hands of two orphans, a border collie, and a depressed inventor
For as long as Johnny and Ella have known him, Shawn has been that odd but sad man who lives in the shed at the orphanage run by his iron-fisted sister. Every day, the kids watch from the windows as he walks the dog, fixes things, and takes his sister’s belittling with only a sigh.
Everything changes the night Johnny and Ella decide to investigate lights flashing from the shed. The night they discover Shawn’s time machine, which sends them all to medieval England – to a time of mighty castles, jousting tournaments, and wild animals.
But when they witness the injustice of a greedy lord and his champion knight, a simple jump to the past turns into a seemingly impossible quest to save the lives of innocent villagers – as well as their own. All complicated by Shawn’s odd behavior and terrible manners, leaving it up to Johnny and Ella to teach him how to behave properly.
With a combination of modern technology, ingenuity, and trickery, can two orphans, a dog, and a sad inventor change the course of history?
Genre: Sci-fi/time travel
Blurb:
History is now in the hands of two orphans, a border collie, and a depressed inventor
For as long as Johnny and Ella have known him, Shawn has been that odd but sad man who lives in the shed at the orphanage run by his iron-fisted sister. Every day, the kids watch from the windows as he walks the dog, fixes things, and takes his sister’s belittling with only a sigh.
Everything changes the night Johnny and Ella decide to investigate lights flashing from the shed. The night they discover Shawn’s time machine, which sends them all to medieval England – to a time of mighty castles, jousting tournaments, and wild animals.
But when they witness the injustice of a greedy lord and his champion knight, a simple jump to the past turns into a seemingly impossible quest to save the lives of innocent villagers – as well as their own. All complicated by Shawn’s odd behavior and terrible manners, leaving it up to Johnny and Ella to teach him how to behave properly.
With a combination of modern technology, ingenuity, and trickery, can two orphans, a dog, and a sad inventor change the course of history?
136 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2021
14 people are currently reading
346 people want to read
About the author
Alan Frost
4 books16 followersAlan Frost is an author of middle grade and young adult sci-fi and fantasy. After nearly 15 years working as a translator, Alan decided to take the plunge and start publishing his own material. His main passion is subjects that extend the boundaries of what we think possible, in particular modern fantasy and time travel.
Alan's debut title, "A Most Unusual Friday Knight", is a middle grade (ages 8-12) time travel story and is due to be released on November 1, 2021. It is the first in the "Shawn From the Shed" series. Soon to follow will be the YA modern fantasy series "The Dream Gate", with the first novel "The Slayer, the Seer, and the Dream Stealer".
Even though his family is from Washington DC, Alan resides in Copenhagen, Denmark, where he spends as much of his spare time as possible enjoying nature, playing sports and annoying his friends with bad jokes and (hopefully good) story ideas.
Alan's debut title, "A Most Unusual Friday Knight", is a middle grade (ages 8-12) time travel story and is due to be released on November 1, 2021. It is the first in the "Shawn From the Shed" series. Soon to follow will be the YA modern fantasy series "The Dream Gate", with the first novel "The Slayer, the Seer, and the Dream Stealer".
Even though his family is from Washington DC, Alan resides in Copenhagen, Denmark, where he spends as much of his spare time as possible enjoying nature, playing sports and annoying his friends with bad jokes and (hopefully good) story ideas.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 4, 2022
A most unusual Friday knight is the first book of the ‘Shawn from the shed’ series. It is a time travel science fiction story beginning with Johnny, an eleven-year-old, and his sister, Ella. They live in an orphanage owned by Regina.
Their life isn’t easy, and their days are filled with chores and homework. Between everything they have to do, the only hour or two they have is spent to themselves. On the other hand, Shawn, Regina’s brother, is forced to live in a shed with no human contact. Johnny and Ella follow a flashing light one night and find Shawn in a shed and a portal he has created. All three enter the portal and begin wondering in England year 1100.
This is a wonderful children’s book, and I found it very enjoyable to read. The literature is suitable for the age group it is written for. Since this is book one, there was plenty of foundation, action, and adventure, keeping the reader wanting more. The backstory was sufficient and provided enough content for future books.
I recommend this book to time travel fans who enjoy humor and kid’s literature.
Their life isn’t easy, and their days are filled with chores and homework. Between everything they have to do, the only hour or two they have is spent to themselves. On the other hand, Shawn, Regina’s brother, is forced to live in a shed with no human contact. Johnny and Ella follow a flashing light one night and find Shawn in a shed and a portal he has created. All three enter the portal and begin wondering in England year 1100.
This is a wonderful children’s book, and I found it very enjoyable to read. The literature is suitable for the age group it is written for. Since this is book one, there was plenty of foundation, action, and adventure, keeping the reader wanting more. The backstory was sufficient and provided enough content for future books.
I recommend this book to time travel fans who enjoy humor and kid’s literature.
October 29, 2021
A Most Unusual Friday Knight by Alan Frost is the first instalment of the collection ‘Shawn From The Shed’ which follows the exciting adventures of the protagonist Shawn and his two companions Johnny and Ella. Shawn is an inventor experimenting in his shed when things go wrong and all three of them need to journey back in time to try to fix things.
This is an excellent children's middle grade novel filled with both science fiction and fantasy as they travel through time to medieval England. Alan Frost is able to magically merge both genres in a riveting tale. The element I enjoyed the most was the underlying mystery of who brought these three unique characters together for their medieval quest, which is briefly touched upon at various intervals, and is definitely an engaging aspect as it leaves the reader wanting to know more.
The style of writing is perfect for a children's middle grade story, and the metaphors used to describe certain elements of the story such as ‘The sound cut through the silence, like a shriek’ and ‘like lightning during a storm.’ Are simple but help the reader to fully imagine what is happening. It definitely speaks to a younger audience in this way. While I enjoyed the story, I felt there was not a lot of details on the background of the characters, but I am sure we will get to know a little more with each novel.
A Most Unusual Friday Knight by Alan Frost is wonderfully imaginative and certain parts reminded me a little of the story of Robin Hood but with science fiction elements incorporated into the fantasy tale. The story also ended in a way where it is introduces the start of the trios next adventure, this will definitely keep readers interested and keen to get their hands on the next instalment to be a part of the next expedition. This is an enchanting historical fiction story that will take young readers on a fun and exciting adventure through time.
This is an excellent children's middle grade novel filled with both science fiction and fantasy as they travel through time to medieval England. Alan Frost is able to magically merge both genres in a riveting tale. The element I enjoyed the most was the underlying mystery of who brought these three unique characters together for their medieval quest, which is briefly touched upon at various intervals, and is definitely an engaging aspect as it leaves the reader wanting to know more.
The style of writing is perfect for a children's middle grade story, and the metaphors used to describe certain elements of the story such as ‘The sound cut through the silence, like a shriek’ and ‘like lightning during a storm.’ Are simple but help the reader to fully imagine what is happening. It definitely speaks to a younger audience in this way. While I enjoyed the story, I felt there was not a lot of details on the background of the characters, but I am sure we will get to know a little more with each novel.
A Most Unusual Friday Knight by Alan Frost is wonderfully imaginative and certain parts reminded me a little of the story of Robin Hood but with science fiction elements incorporated into the fantasy tale. The story also ended in a way where it is introduces the start of the trios next adventure, this will definitely keep readers interested and keen to get their hands on the next instalment to be a part of the next expedition. This is an enchanting historical fiction story that will take young readers on a fun and exciting adventure through time.
January 13, 2022
Pretty solid time travel fantasy
PLEASE NOTE: I received a Kindle edition of this title. This review contains my own opinions.
This book would be a fun read for middle schoolers. It was easy, full of adventure, time travel, and the medieval period of history. I saw one typo, the author put “reigns” instead of “reins” when talking about the apparatus used on horses. Other than that, it was pretty well written. The children in the book were positive, encouraging, and able to solve most problems on their own, but also very willing for adults to help. All-in-all, I would recommend this book for any middle schooler, especially boys who may be reluctant readers.
PLEASE NOTE: I received a Kindle edition of this title. This review contains my own opinions.
This book would be a fun read for middle schoolers. It was easy, full of adventure, time travel, and the medieval period of history. I saw one typo, the author put “reigns” instead of “reins” when talking about the apparatus used on horses. Other than that, it was pretty well written. The children in the book were positive, encouraging, and able to solve most problems on their own, but also very willing for adults to help. All-in-all, I would recommend this book for any middle schooler, especially boys who may be reluctant readers.
December 19, 2021
A Most Unusual Knight is Book 1 of Shark from the Shed by Alan Frost. I believe that this story is a wonderful book for 10 years and older. Johnny and Ella are curious about what is happening in Shane's shed. When Ginny, the Champion border collie, disappears in the shed, Johnny, Ella, and Shawn go back in time to bring Ginny home. This story has adventure, action and a story with characters that appeal to a younger reader. I thought that this book was a home run. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.
November 9, 2021
An attention-grabber. All children are curious, eager t learn, and books that combine something like history with adventure and excitement, are irresistible to them. I always loved history in school, any child who loves history will enjoy this book.
April 6, 2022
Fun middle reader, reminds me of the Magic Tree House. It gets straight to the point so there isn’t a lot of filler. My 10 and 11 year old both enjoyed it, and excited about sequels.
*received from a Goodreads giveaway*
*received from a Goodreads giveaway*
September 2, 2022
This was exactly the type of book I would have loved as a little kid! So much fun, with time travel and medieval England and lovable characters. I got the second book in a Goodreads giveaway so I decided to read the first, and I’m glad I did. Can’t wait for the second!
October 14, 2021
I love the Shawn character
October 14, 2021
Read this book after I heard my wife reading it to our son.
He loved it, and I must admit that I did too.
Waiting for the sequel, hoping he gets it out soon.
He loved it, and I must admit that I did too.
Waiting for the sequel, hoping he gets it out soon.
October 21, 2021
I enjoyed this with my son. It's hard to find a book that piques my son's interest, but he loved this book. And as a bonus, I liked it too!!
November 30, 2021
Friday Night Knights
This is a Fun book. My son enjoyed reading it and wants to continue the adventures with Shawn, Johnny and Ella.
This is a Fun book. My son enjoyed reading it and wants to continue the adventures with Shawn, Johnny and Ella.
January 7, 2022
Definitely for a younger crowd. Not a lot of action. This is a book about time travel with a brother and sister.
November 1, 2022
I read this with my 8 yr old grandson, and we both really enjoyed it.
June 1, 2025
A great read for middle schoolers!
This story is fun, adventurous, positive, and has a good plot. Any middle schooler who loves to read will enjoy it!
This story is fun, adventurous, positive, and has a good plot. Any middle schooler who loves to read will enjoy it!
June 9, 2025
Lovely story for kids
Really liked the emphasis on having good manners and interacting nicely with all the people around you. The plans that saved everything were ingenious too!
Really liked the emphasis on having good manners and interacting nicely with all the people around you. The plans that saved everything were ingenious too!
December 31, 2024
Great start to the series! The characters are well written and interesting and the adventure is fun for young readers. I can’t wait to read the next book!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews