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De verbazingwekkende toekomst van Alex Niemand
Op de dag dat Alex werd geboren, stonden er massa’s mensen voor het ziekenhuis. Op haar eerste schooldag bespioneerden mensen haar van achter de poort. En nog niet zo lang geleden kwamen vreemden naar haar kijken tijdens het schooltoneelstuk... waarin ze een lama speelde. Maar waarom? Alex is altijd een ‘niemand’ geweest. Dan verschijnt er plots een nieuwe klasgenoot op school: Jasper. Hij lijkt de antwoorden te kennen op al Alex’ vragen. Maar voor hij haar alles kan vertellen, verdwijnt hij... naar het jaar 2100. Is Alex dapper genoeg om naar de toekomst te reizen? Om te ontdekken wat er met Jasper gebeurd is, en om het raadsel van haar eigen verbazingwekkende lot op te lossen voor het te laat is?
304 pages, Hardcover
Published October 1, 2021
5 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
About the author
Kate Gilby Smith
3 books5 followersKate Gilby Smith was born on the island of Guernsey. It was while daydreaming during a philosophy of time travel seminar at the University of Edinburgh that she first had the idea for her debut book, The Astonishing Future of Alex Nobody, which was published by Hachette in June 2021. Her second book, Olive Jones and the Memory Thief, will be published by Hachette in June 2022.
Kate currently lives in London where she works as a publicist for science, philosophy and history books. Her writing for children is inspired by her love of all three topics. As a child she loved books that made her think and now she hopes to write books for children that do just that.
When not writing, her favourite things are dogs, swimming in the sea and eating ice cream. Her ideal day would involve all three.
Kate currently lives in London where she works as a publicist for science, philosophy and history books. Her writing for children is inspired by her love of all three topics. As a child she loved books that made her think and now she hopes to write books for children that do just that.
When not writing, her favourite things are dogs, swimming in the sea and eating ice cream. Her ideal day would involve all three.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
July 21, 2021
It’s always just been Alex and her Uncle Henry. That is, if you don’t count the consistent groups of strangers who have been trying to sneak a peek at Alex her entire life. There are actual coaches full of them. But, hey, maybe this is normal. It’s not like Alex has any friends to compare notes with.
Until she meets Jasper on her twelfth birthday. We love Jasper, although we don’t really know a lot about him for the longest time.
Speaking of design, something so simple yet so appropriate accompanied the chapter titles. Remember how I mentioned the literal coaches full of people who want to catch a glimpse of Alex? A coach starts appearing in the first chapter and slowly makes its way across the page, chapter by chapter. Brilliant!
Besides loving Alex and Jasper, I also wanted to get to know Uncle Henry, whose ideas on learning were all I needed to know to want to hang out with him forever. I also really liked Gerty, who Alex meets when she’s searching for her missing friend.
I adored the way time travel is explored in this book. There were a couple of time travel related head-scratchers, though. The Laws of Time all made sense to me but I had trouble believing, based on my extensive time travel experience with Marty McFly, that a Time Tourist hadn’t inadvertently rewritten history by now. Although, if Timeless is to be taken as time travel gospel, then maybe only the people personally involved in the rewrite would remember how things used to play out.
The time travel quandary that remains for me is why the bazillion Time Tourists who not so secretly spied on Alex as she was growing up didn’t
I figured out fairly early on who future Alex was going to be and why she became famous. If kid me had read this book, though, it would have been your job to pick me up off the floor once I’d made it to the reveal.
Although the time travel is absolutely wonderful and it made me want to do it even more, my take away from this book is going to be the friendship between Alex and Jasper. It made me feel all warm and squishy inside. In a good way.
I’m rounding up from 4.5 stars.
Blog - https://schizanthusnerd.com
Until she meets Jasper on her twelfth birthday. We love Jasper, although we don’t really know a lot about him for the longest time.
For a boy who loved asking other people questions, he was an expert at avoiding them himself.We do know he’s a sweetheart, though, and he’s a really good best (and first) friend to have. We adore him, even after he suddenly disappears before Alex’s eyes. Fortunately, Alex likes Jasper as much as we do so she’s determined to find him. No matter what.
‘And this time I don’t think logic is the answer.’I spent the entire book trying to figure out what I could possibly say about it that didn’t give away the whole time travel component, which is one of my all time favourite things to read about. I needn’t have worried; one look at the book’s blurb and I discovered that what I thought was a secret is well and truly out of the bag. I probably would have read this book sooner had I known. All I had to go by when I decided this was the book for me was the title and Thy Bui’s incredible cover illustration.
Speaking of design, something so simple yet so appropriate accompanied the chapter titles. Remember how I mentioned the literal coaches full of people who want to catch a glimpse of Alex? A coach starts appearing in the first chapter and slowly makes its way across the page, chapter by chapter. Brilliant!
Besides loving Alex and Jasper, I also wanted to get to know Uncle Henry, whose ideas on learning were all I needed to know to want to hang out with him forever. I also really liked Gerty, who Alex meets when she’s searching for her missing friend.
I adored the way time travel is explored in this book. There were a couple of time travel related head-scratchers, though. The Laws of Time all made sense to me but I had trouble believing, based on my extensive time travel experience with Marty McFly, that a Time Tourist hadn’t inadvertently rewritten history by now. Although, if Timeless is to be taken as time travel gospel, then maybe only the people personally involved in the rewrite would remember how things used to play out.
The time travel quandary that remains for me is why the bazillion Time Tourists who not so secretly spied on Alex as she was growing up didn’t
I figured out fairly early on who future Alex was going to be and why she became famous. If kid me had read this book, though, it would have been your job to pick me up off the floor once I’d made it to the reveal.
Although the time travel is absolutely wonderful and it made me want to do it even more, my take away from this book is going to be the friendship between Alex and Jasper. It made me feel all warm and squishy inside. In a good way.
‘Never underestimate the power of a best friend. A friend who loves you for who you are, who believes in the person you will become even when you don’t. Who believes you are stronger, smarter, better than you believe yourself to be. A friend who can put you in your place when you need it. More than talent, more than success, friendship is what matters most.’Book in a book: Jasper gives Alex a copy of The Secret Garden, one of the many reasons I loved him.
I’m rounding up from 4.5 stars.
Blog - https://schizanthusnerd.com
May 13, 2021
An amazing story.
Alex is brought up by her uncle who home schools her, till she wants to go to school.
Alex makes friends with Jasper, she needs to travel in time to find out what happens to him.
Twists and turns, a really good book.
Alex is brought up by her uncle who home schools her, till she wants to go to school.
Alex makes friends with Jasper, she needs to travel in time to find out what happens to him.
Twists and turns, a really good book.
May 3, 2021
On the day she was born, a coach of tourists appeared at the hospital - was it just a coincidence or is there something special about Alex? To her friends and teachers, Alex is a nobody - but what does the future hold for her?
Alex is a unique, brave and intelligent protagonist who doesn’t feel like she fits in with her peers. That is, until the appearance of Jasper. Jasper arrives just when Alex is feeling extremely alone and most in need of a friend. Alex can’t help wondering where Jasper came from, especially as she knows so little about him. Then Jasper mysteriously disappears and Alex decides she has to find a way to save her friend.
When she discovers that the only logical explanation for the sudden disappearance is time travel, Alex becomes focussed on finding a way to follow Jasper. Alex’s only option is to become a stowaway on the coach of tourists outside her school. With the help of an interesting cast of characters, Alex begins her journey through the future to locate and rescue Jasper, but she is also determined to uncover the truth - why was Jasper sent to watch and protect her?
This is Kate Gilby Smith’s debut novel, and after thoroughly enjoying this thought-provoking read, I am intrigued to see what comes next. Time travelling is a fascinating subject, and this is a gentle enough introduction to excite young readers by the concept without leaving them scratching their brains in concussion at the metaphysics - especially as Alex's back-story is really her future-story. This well-crafted story with its strong female lead celebrates difference, friendship, family and determination. It does also include a number of interesting historical references, through Gerty’s collection of stolen historical items from Martin Luther King to Cleopatra. This would make a fabulous class read, as they are plenty of talking points throughout the story.
Many thanks to the publishers for sending us an advanced review copy.
Alex is a unique, brave and intelligent protagonist who doesn’t feel like she fits in with her peers. That is, until the appearance of Jasper. Jasper arrives just when Alex is feeling extremely alone and most in need of a friend. Alex can’t help wondering where Jasper came from, especially as she knows so little about him. Then Jasper mysteriously disappears and Alex decides she has to find a way to save her friend.
When she discovers that the only logical explanation for the sudden disappearance is time travel, Alex becomes focussed on finding a way to follow Jasper. Alex’s only option is to become a stowaway on the coach of tourists outside her school. With the help of an interesting cast of characters, Alex begins her journey through the future to locate and rescue Jasper, but she is also determined to uncover the truth - why was Jasper sent to watch and protect her?
This is Kate Gilby Smith’s debut novel, and after thoroughly enjoying this thought-provoking read, I am intrigued to see what comes next. Time travelling is a fascinating subject, and this is a gentle enough introduction to excite young readers by the concept without leaving them scratching their brains in concussion at the metaphysics - especially as Alex's back-story is really her future-story. This well-crafted story with its strong female lead celebrates difference, friendship, family and determination. It does also include a number of interesting historical references, through Gerty’s collection of stolen historical items from Martin Luther King to Cleopatra. This would make a fabulous class read, as they are plenty of talking points throughout the story.
Many thanks to the publishers for sending us an advanced review copy.
June 28, 2021
This is a clever and witty middle grade that I am sure so many kids would enjoy, and definitely needs more hype.
The storyline is intriguing and fast paced and alongside the relatively short size of the book, would definitely be quick to read even for less advanced readers.
There is a definite logic about it despite having time travel elements and I am glad that there were multiple discussions on the laws and restrictions on time travel and furthermore the implications that could be caused if these were broken.
The characters are bright and have a vibrant and lovable quality about them that really makes them stand off the page and the friendships are brilliant and one of my favourite things to read about in books.
I really enjoyed how key figures and historical moments were interwoven with the story as there is room to open up further discussions as to who these people are and what they did for us. There were also some very rich and imaginative scenes in this book which I enjoyed immensely.
I did like the twist at the end however I found it a tad predictable, however that could just be me reading it as an adult and I am not sure a child would pick up on the same things I did.
Overall a really great read and one I would definitely recommend to middle grade readers.
The storyline is intriguing and fast paced and alongside the relatively short size of the book, would definitely be quick to read even for less advanced readers.
There is a definite logic about it despite having time travel elements and I am glad that there were multiple discussions on the laws and restrictions on time travel and furthermore the implications that could be caused if these were broken.
The characters are bright and have a vibrant and lovable quality about them that really makes them stand off the page and the friendships are brilliant and one of my favourite things to read about in books.
I really enjoyed how key figures and historical moments were interwoven with the story as there is room to open up further discussions as to who these people are and what they did for us. There were also some very rich and imaginative scenes in this book which I enjoyed immensely.
I did like the twist at the end however I found it a tad predictable, however that could just be me reading it as an adult and I am not sure a child would pick up on the same things I did.
Overall a really great read and one I would definitely recommend to middle grade readers.
December 31, 2022
8 year old’s thoughts:
I give this book 5*.
It’s a really good book because it inspires kids to read for themselves.
This book is about friendship- making good friends and keeping them.
Alex was such good friends with Jasper that she hopes to rescue him from the time academy with her new friend Gerty and Gerty’s friend Arthur. When Alex meets Jasper at the very beginning she instantly knows that she will become great friends with him.
Alex wants to know what her future must be and she goes on an epic journey through time to find out.
Gerty has this ginormous collection of very historical stuff from very ancient people.
Words that describe this book are funny, inspiring, loving, historical, beautiful, sad, happy, interesting and gripping.
But I think it ended to quickly…….
I give this book 5*.
It’s a really good book because it inspires kids to read for themselves.
This book is about friendship- making good friends and keeping them.
Alex was such good friends with Jasper that she hopes to rescue him from the time academy with her new friend Gerty and Gerty’s friend Arthur. When Alex meets Jasper at the very beginning she instantly knows that she will become great friends with him.
Alex wants to know what her future must be and she goes on an epic journey through time to find out.
Gerty has this ginormous collection of very historical stuff from very ancient people.
Words that describe this book are funny, inspiring, loving, historical, beautiful, sad, happy, interesting and gripping.
But I think it ended to quickly…….
November 28, 2022
First book of the Awesome Books Awards read with my Y6 book club. This book prompted great discussion and much speculation but will it get the final vote? 4 more to go!
August 17, 2021
Alex never took much notice of the white double decker buses she saw as she grew up. They began on the day she was born, and then seeing people staring and pointing at her when out and about with her uncle became commonplace. Uncle Henry assures her it must be a case of mistaken identity, and she is happy with his answer.
Raised by Uncle Henry since birth, Alex has been encouraged to wonder, ask questions, pull things apart then rebuild them and love learning. He works from home on his computer, and has home-schooled Alex. This is fine until Alex turns 11, and asks to go to school.
Making friends isn't as easy as the internet says it is, and Alex struggles to fit in with both teachers and her fellow students. Then there is Jasper. New to school he too is different and Alex finally believes she has a real friend. There's something he's not telling her though, and suddenly he is gone. Raised to be curious about the world, Alex is determined to find Jasper and for the very first time, follows a group of strangers who have been staring and pointing at her.
Nothing could have prepared Alex for what she finds, but nothing will stop her either. Jasper is in trouble and she must get to him in time.
A tale of love, friendship, differences and time-travel. I fell in love with the quirky characters instantly and the strange things happening around them intrigued me. Who are these people following Alex, even from the day she is born?
Time Travel is a hard thing to write well, and the author has achieved it brilliantly. With the rules of time travel clear within the narrative, it provides a framework which makes the story believable. The over-arching question of who Alex really is carries the reader right through the story, and the tension rises as the time to find her friend is running out. Loved it.
Raised by Uncle Henry since birth, Alex has been encouraged to wonder, ask questions, pull things apart then rebuild them and love learning. He works from home on his computer, and has home-schooled Alex. This is fine until Alex turns 11, and asks to go to school.
Making friends isn't as easy as the internet says it is, and Alex struggles to fit in with both teachers and her fellow students. Then there is Jasper. New to school he too is different and Alex finally believes she has a real friend. There's something he's not telling her though, and suddenly he is gone. Raised to be curious about the world, Alex is determined to find Jasper and for the very first time, follows a group of strangers who have been staring and pointing at her.
Nothing could have prepared Alex for what she finds, but nothing will stop her either. Jasper is in trouble and she must get to him in time.
A tale of love, friendship, differences and time-travel. I fell in love with the quirky characters instantly and the strange things happening around them intrigued me. Who are these people following Alex, even from the day she is born?
Time Travel is a hard thing to write well, and the author has achieved it brilliantly. With the rules of time travel clear within the narrative, it provides a framework which makes the story believable. The over-arching question of who Alex really is carries the reader right through the story, and the tension rises as the time to find her friend is running out. Loved it.
May 7, 2023
Alex è una ragazzina speciale, molto intelligente e curiosa. Cresciuta sola con lo zio, con il quale ha avuto modo di sviluppare le proprie abilità, sente il bisogno di relazionarsi con altri e farsi degli amici così si iscrive a scuola. All'inizio le cose non sembrano andare per il verso giusto finché, nel giorno del suo dodicesimo compleanno, conosce un suo coetaneo, Jasper, e da quel momento tutto cambia…
“La strabiliante avventura della ragazza che inseguiva il tempo” è un racconto di formazione che parla di amicizia, crescita, altruismo e coraggio. È una storia fantastica e misteriosa che tiene incollati fino all'ultima pagina. A chi non piacerebbe viaggiare nel tempo e conoscere il proprio futuro? Consiglio la lettura.
“La strabiliante avventura della ragazza che inseguiva il tempo” è un racconto di formazione che parla di amicizia, crescita, altruismo e coraggio. È una storia fantastica e misteriosa che tiene incollati fino all'ultima pagina. A chi non piacerebbe viaggiare nel tempo e conoscere il proprio futuro? Consiglio la lettura.
June 11, 2021
Great fun, and an engaging read. Alex is a young girl who ends up travelling through time and discovering a big secret. She makes friends along the way too. Her uncle is a very likeable character, just the right kind of benevolant love to raise an inquisitive child. Alex herself is feisty and bright, a great role model. The book brought The Many Worlds of Albie Bright by Christopher Edge to mind, and since that is an incredible MG novel, this is a huge compliment! Definitely a book I will be recommending to my kids.
December 12, 2021
An excellent page-turner for teenagers. The character are striking and memorable, the settings are well-described and the plot zips along at a fair pace, particularly in the latter half of the book. It has a twist that'll be satisfying for readers too. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
November 1, 2021
This is a fun read. I enjoyed the friendship story. Jasper is lovely and I definitely related to his preferring books to action. I found the answer to who Alex is predictable and found parts of the story a little simple but in fairness I'm not a child. 3.5 stars rounded up.
July 7, 2022
This has been a really fun book to read to my class this term!
It has been a fun topic and had some science themes in it that were great to talk about.
The kids really enjoyed it so would recommend it to everyone really.
It has been a fun topic and had some science themes in it that were great to talk about.
The kids really enjoyed it so would recommend it to everyone really.
February 18, 2024
This was an enjoyable read. I love Alex, she is a great character. It is tiny bit 'Meet the Robinsons' with the science fair, the time travel and the 'you have to go back to be the person you are going to become' but I love Meet the Robinsons so that's ok.
October 22, 2021
Well written and wonderful!
October 22, 2021
Inventive, imaginative and inspiring. I really felt part of Alex's world and am looking forward to giving my neighbour's children a copy to read!
December 1, 2021
Enjoyed, but found the ending a bit predictable,
November 26, 2022
Great book
November 26, 2022
Absolutly loved it one of my favorite books ever!!!!!❤😁
January 7, 2023
Lovely light hearted tone.
(10-13)
(10-13)
February 17, 2023
A real great idea for a story. School book club enjoyed this one.
April 18, 2023
This was a cute fun read about friendship and believing in yourself. Thoroughly enjoyable
March 26, 2025
A wholesome light read! For some reason it’s giving the vibe of the first time I watched Meet The Robinson.
June 30, 2025
recommended by zayn lol, this reminded me of the YA books i was so immersed in at 11 years old and fr transported me to another time (hahah…)
September 20, 2021
As a big fan of time travel novels and sci-fi in general, I loved this book and it is a great senior primary and intermediate aged, introduction to the world and rules of time travel/ sci f-fi.
So the future of Alex Nobody, "future' being the clue here. And what is so special about Alex that on the day she was born a " white" double decker bus filled with tourists appears at the hospital?
It is true Alex is different from other children, she is clever, very clever, probably too clever for school. She ends up being home schooled by her Uncle Henry who is left with the responsibility of
raising Alex when her mother sadly dies at her birth. Alex is aware she is different but wants to go to school to be like everyone else and when she does she meets Jasper. Jasper is different too and quickly becomes her best friend then mysteriously disappears. Alex questions everything around her and it is because of this inquisitiveness and her need to find Jasper, that leads to her adventure through time, a journey of self discovery, and a meeting with her destiny. (without giving too much of the story away).
This is a fun, fast paced, imaginative and engaging read for young readers.
So the future of Alex Nobody, "future' being the clue here. And what is so special about Alex that on the day she was born a " white" double decker bus filled with tourists appears at the hospital?
It is true Alex is different from other children, she is clever, very clever, probably too clever for school. She ends up being home schooled by her Uncle Henry who is left with the responsibility of
raising Alex when her mother sadly dies at her birth. Alex is aware she is different but wants to go to school to be like everyone else and when she does she meets Jasper. Jasper is different too and quickly becomes her best friend then mysteriously disappears. Alex questions everything around her and it is because of this inquisitiveness and her need to find Jasper, that leads to her adventure through time, a journey of self discovery, and a meeting with her destiny. (without giving too much of the story away).
This is a fun, fast paced, imaginative and engaging read for young readers.
October 10, 2021
The full blurb for this one was just too intriguing to leave on the shelf.
I was gripped from the very beginning when Alex was born. Not only were there crowds gathered outside the hospital where she was born but she was left orphaned and alone. Her Uncle Henry was the only family she had left and so he became her guardian. Alex seems like a very ordinary girl except for the fact that her childhood is being very closely watched. Strangers, looking very much like tourists, are spying on her when she goes shopping. Coaches pull up outside her school. What is so interesting about Miss Nobody? Who is this new boy, Jasper who joins her class and befriends Alex?
I was gripped from the very beginning when Alex was born. Not only were there crowds gathered outside the hospital where she was born but she was left orphaned and alone. Her Uncle Henry was the only family she had left and so he became her guardian. Alex seems like a very ordinary girl except for the fact that her childhood is being very closely watched. Strangers, looking very much like tourists, are spying on her when she goes shopping. Coaches pull up outside her school. What is so interesting about Miss Nobody? Who is this new boy, Jasper who joins her class and befriends Alex?
December 7, 2025
This book was amazing! I read so much in just one night.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews