What do you think?
Rate this book
Ctrl-Z
Alex is used to getting unusual birthday presents from his Godfather John - a pair of ferrets, or a Make Your Own Explosions Kit. But this year's present is something really different - a computer that takes you back to an earlier part of the day when you hit Ctrl-Z.
162 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2009
2 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 9, 2016
This book was quite good. It was a book that made you want to know what was going to happen which was enjoyable. I think the idea was good but it wasn't really written in the best way it could have been. This book was very funny at times and happy at others. This book also built up a lot of suspense at times making me really want to know what's going to happen next.
This book was about a boy called Alex who gets a computer for his birthday. Before playing on it his mum says "Alex, clean the dishes please." When his parents let him use it he goes to the page where you type your name the date and the time and he does just that, but he accidentally typed the wrong time so he presses control Z.
He appears back in his bed and wonders what was going on and then from downstairs he heard "Alex, clean the dishes please." He goes over to his clock and sees that his clock said 10:oo. But that was impossible, when he was on his computer it was 10:o2. Alex decides to try typing in a time early in the morning into his computer and then he presses control z. Back in his bed once again, but the clock said the exact time Alex had typed into the computer.
Alex immediantly goes to his best friends house to show him the computer. He finds his friend in the garden blowing up balloons for his sisters welcome home party. His sister had been in hospital as she had a leg problem.
He shows his friend going back in time but his friend doesn't remember anything to with it when Alex comes back from his bed.
Join Alex in his adventures by reading this book now...
This book was about a boy called Alex who gets a computer for his birthday. Before playing on it his mum says "Alex, clean the dishes please." When his parents let him use it he goes to the page where you type your name the date and the time and he does just that, but he accidentally typed the wrong time so he presses control Z.
He appears back in his bed and wonders what was going on and then from downstairs he heard "Alex, clean the dishes please." He goes over to his clock and sees that his clock said 10:oo. But that was impossible, when he was on his computer it was 10:o2. Alex decides to try typing in a time early in the morning into his computer and then he presses control z. Back in his bed once again, but the clock said the exact time Alex had typed into the computer.
Alex immediantly goes to his best friends house to show him the computer. He finds his friend in the garden blowing up balloons for his sisters welcome home party. His sister had been in hospital as she had a leg problem.
He shows his friend going back in time but his friend doesn't remember anything to with it when Alex comes back from his bed.
Join Alex in his adventures by reading this book now...
August 31, 2010
A YA novel, but very clever. I think this is one of the best books I've read for children that focusses on the idea that in life we have to make mistakes to learn, without making that idea come across as preachy or cheesy. I've worked with a lot of intense kids who will cry if they get just one question wrong on a math test and by sharing this book with a class, you could spark some wonderful discussions about why it's okay to make mistakes.
February 22, 2012
When Alex gets a laptop for his birthday from his zany godfather, he is a bit disappointed. It's not as new as the computer he got for Christmas, and he's not sure what sorts of games he can play on it. He takes it to his room anyway, and starts setting up the computer. He accidentally sets the time to 20 minutes earlier, so he presses Ctrl-Z to undo it... and finds himself exactly where he was 20 minutes ago. Alex discovers that Ctrl-Z will take him back to any time he punches in, and he goes about making the most horrendous mistakes, consequence-free! He takes a spin in his mother's car, trashes the fancy dinner plates, and hoses down the class know-it-all. For Alex, it seems like nothing in his life can go wrong ever again!
This is for sure a "lessons" type of book, and it can seem quite boring in the beginning, when Alex keeps repeating scenes. The pace picks up after a few chapters, and Alex's misadventures get pretty daring. The magical element of Ctrl-Z is never explained, but the reasoning behind some plot points is pretty interesting--especially when Alex finds himself in a dangerous infinite loop when his best friend tries to undo his own mistake with Ctrl-Z! The family stuff was dumb, with Alex trying to undo his parents' fights and solve their problems for them. I was really hoping they'd get divorced and he'd realize there were some things that couldn't be fixed, but it all ends happily. Boo! A pretty didactic story in some parts, but overall interesting enough to recommend as a short-ish chapter book for kids old enough to be familiar with keyboard shortcuts.
This is for sure a "lessons" type of book, and it can seem quite boring in the beginning, when Alex keeps repeating scenes. The pace picks up after a few chapters, and Alex's misadventures get pretty daring. The magical element of Ctrl-Z is never explained, but the reasoning behind some plot points is pretty interesting--especially when Alex finds himself in a dangerous infinite loop when his best friend tries to undo his own mistake with Ctrl-Z! The family stuff was dumb, with Alex trying to undo his parents' fights and solve their problems for them. I was really hoping they'd get divorced and he'd realize there were some things that couldn't be fixed, but it all ends happily. Boo! A pretty didactic story in some parts, but overall interesting enough to recommend as a short-ish chapter book for kids old enough to be familiar with keyboard shortcuts.
October 28, 2014
If, in the immortal words of Cher, I could turn back time, what would I do? Probably get some more sleep (an answer presented by many parents of one-and-a-half year olds I suspect). But in this book, Alex gets a birthday present from his godfather that does just that: a computer that allows him to reset time at any point during a day (he can't go back further than a day, nor can he go forward). So, what does he do? Save his friend and everything naughty that comes to mind (because, when he resets time, no one else remembers what has happened). The story is full of delightful vignettes, but it doesn't quite have the same tension as Aquila, where the question of whether the boys will be discovered and their machine taken from them drives on the plot. A lovely story nonetheless.
May 26, 2011
This book definetly had a creative approach. I liked the main idea of a computer that can go back in time so you can mistake-proof your life. Andrew Norriss is a fun man and you can tell by reading his funny and cute book. Didn't have enough in it though but good for younger children who are able to actually read this or have a parent read to them before bedtime. I liked the good description of the characters feelings but I didn't think that he explained the characters appearance enough. (I did a book report for school on this)
May 15, 2014
Great concept for a book - about a boy who gets a special laptop for his birthday that can go back in time and undo the mistakes he and his friend/family make. Surprisingly, though, slightly empty of a central storyline and very sparse writing made this a bit of an empty read for me.
However, for younger readers (and those struggling) I could see this would be a fun, great book to read.
I can definitely see this being a cool TV series as it has so many ideas in it.
However, for younger readers (and those struggling) I could see this would be a fun, great book to read.
I can definitely see this being a cool TV series as it has so many ideas in it.
October 19, 2010
I wish I could Ctrl-Z my life! Great imaginative fun with subtle purpose and learning.
May 9, 2012
I have this version on my shelf. I don't read Turkish but the English edition is great. Lovely cover too.
November 7, 2010
An enjoyable story, with a good message for children. Another good book from Andrew Norriss.
November 27, 2015
A great and very funny book.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews