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rjdenney's review
4.0
4 STARS!!!
This was so much damn fun!! I'm a History lover so this seemed right up my alley and I was right to pick it up at the library, now I need a copy for my shelf. This was like National Treasure meets Back to the Future and I was loving every moment of it. From page 1 everything takes off and doesn't take a break, it's full of humor, action, history, photos, and fun storytelling. If you're looking for something light, fun, and quick that still packs a punch of awesomeness, this is the book for you. I can't wait for the second book in the series to come out in April cause I'm dying to know what's going to happen with that ending!
I really loved that this book was a fun read but also was like sitting in a History class because you got to learn so much about a historic event in History and be a part of it at the same time with the time traveling the characters do. I'm saying "fun" a lot in this review but dammit it was FUN. There will be a Book Thoughts video for it this month on my channel. :)
- Richard
This was so much damn fun!! I'm a History lover so this seemed right up my alley and I was right to pick it up at the library, now I need a copy for my shelf. This was like National Treasure meets Back to the Future and I was loving every moment of it. From page 1 everything takes off and doesn't take a break, it's full of humor, action, history, photos, and fun storytelling. If you're looking for something light, fun, and quick that still packs a punch of awesomeness, this is the book for you. I can't wait for the second book in the series to come out in April cause I'm dying to know what's going to happen with that ending!
I really loved that this book was a fun read but also was like sitting in a History class because you got to learn so much about a historic event in History and be a part of it at the same time with the time traveling the characters do. I'm saying "fun" a lot in this review but dammit it was FUN. There will be a Book Thoughts video for it this month on my channel. :)
- Richard
liz_renneker's review
2.0
Read with Luke and he thought there was too much fluff in talking about going back in time and not enough of actual historic facts and excitement when back in the year 1863. I was glad when it was over!
lanislittlelibrary's review
4.0
Dan Gutman has done it for me again with this book. It was the perfect mix of mystery, adventure, and tension. I loved it so much. One of the most perfect September reads.
morganmcdon9's review
3.0
Received as a gift as someone in my family got it signed. I recommend for any elementary school aged kid interested in history.
bookdragon_library's review
2.0
I’m not sure how I feel about this series. Even in middle grade literature, I want my main characters to be likeable and I just don’t feel that connection. Especially Julia who I find actually quite unlikeable. She plays the trope of rich girl with fairly absent parents. She is money-focused and has a bit of a clepto-complex, trying multiple times to steal historical artifacts to make more money.
I didn't like how the book started with the 4 kids receiving a letter from a stranger to meet and they all do it. Not a great example for kids and Miss Z is pushy and pressure driven and not very likeable either. She is rich and powerful which seems to go with the constant obsession of power and money and getting rich throughout the book.
I thought the inclusion of Tadd Lincoln was interesting and he was certainly portrayed as a bit of a brat which I found surprising. The inclusion of Booth being present at Gettysburg did add some to the atmosphere and context despite being historically inaccurate (which the author made sure to admit in the end). Also, I figured they would get to meet Lincoln but wasn't sure how it was going to happen but using Tad was a good device. I was surprised that the kids were pushed around and even punched by an adult though. I didn't feel that brutality was necessary.
Overall, I'm a little disappointed in this series from "quality" standpoint. Kids will probably like it more than me. It doesn't have the same level of action as the I Survived books and I prefer Ranger in Time because the characters/dog are more engaging for middle grade Historical Fiction. I liked how there was an afterward at the end which told the parts that were true and the ones that were not true or altered for the story.
Notes: Boston, Massachusetts & Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, 4 book series, Historical Fiction, 2 boys, 2 girls, 1 Black - David, Isabel - Domincan Republic
I didn't like how the book started with the 4 kids receiving a letter from a stranger to meet and they all do it. Not a great example for kids and Miss Z is pushy and pressure driven and not very likeable either. She is rich and powerful which seems to go with the constant obsession of power and money and getting rich throughout the book.
I thought the inclusion of Tadd Lincoln was interesting and he was certainly portrayed as a bit of a brat which I found surprising. The inclusion of Booth being present at Gettysburg did add some to the atmosphere and context despite being historically inaccurate (which the author made sure to admit in the end). Also, I figured they would get to meet Lincoln but wasn't sure how it was going to happen but using Tad was a good device. I was surprised that the kids were pushed around and even punched by an adult though. I didn't feel that brutality was necessary.
Overall, I'm a little disappointed in this series from "quality" standpoint. Kids will probably like it more than me. It doesn't have the same level of action as the I Survived books and I prefer Ranger in Time because the characters/dog are more engaging for middle grade Historical Fiction. I liked how there was an afterward at the end which told the parts that were true and the ones that were not true or altered for the story.
Notes: Boston, Massachusetts & Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, 4 book series, Historical Fiction, 2 boys, 2 girls, 1 Black - David, Isabel - Domincan Republic
wordnerd153's review
3.0
Fast-paced historical fiction that manages to squeeze in a decent amount of information about Lincoln and the Gettysburg address without slowing down the action. Unfortunately, one of the four main characters is vapid and doesn't seem to contribute anything to the group other than drama, and having the author speak to the reader feels a bit clunky, unnecessary and distracts from the story at times. Not sure I'll take the time to read the next book in the series.
elllie's review
4.0
I can't believe this is the first Dan Gutman book I've read! This was a great adventure story for frankly any 4th-6th grader. Four completely different kids who don't know each other are teamed up by an eccentric billionaire to travel back in time to significant historical events and take pictures of what they're experiencing. The author breaks the fourth wall with some clever asides and it's pretty easy to suspend enough disbelief in the premise to thoroughly enjoy the story. Perfect for school projects and summer reading!
kaleidoscopeyss's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Dan Gutman has done it for me again with this book. It was the perfect mix of mystery, adventure, and tension. I loved it so much. One of the most perfect September reads.
mreadsbooksnfics's review
4.0
This book was a lot of fun. I really like history so I knew this book would be right up my alley. It's told through the perspective of four kids who become the Flashback Four and have to take a picture of Lincoln during the Gettysburg Address. Even though it's packed full of history... there's also adventure, action, humor, and fun! I can't imagine enjoying a time traveling story anymore than I did. Just wow... the whole book is nothing by fun. I was devouring the book to see what kind of trouble the foursome would find themselves in, along with enjoying the history too!
As soon as I started to get into the book, I just felt like it was over. I wanted more. I needed answers and to find out what was going to happen on their next endeavor. I'm so glad the next book will be coming out soon because I have a lot of questions which need to be answered!
As soon as I started to get into the book, I just felt like it was over. I wanted more. I needed answers and to find out what was going to happen on their next endeavor. I'm so glad the next book will be coming out soon because I have a lot of questions which need to be answered!