Title: Time Traveling With A Hamster
Author: Ross Welford
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade
Publication Date: Oct.4, 2016
Genre/Format: Young Adult Fiction
Age Range: 8-12 (Grads 3-7)
Synopsis:
My dad died twice. Once when he was thirty-nine and again four years later, when he was twelve.
On his twelfth birthday, Al Chaudhury receives a letter from his dead father. It directs him to the bunker of their old house, where Al finds a time machine (an ancient computer and a tin bucket). The letter also outlines a mission: travel back to 1984 and prevent the go-kart accident that will eventually take his father’s life. But as Al soon discovers, whizzing back thirty years requires not only imagination and courage, but also lying to your mom, stealing a moped, and setting your school on fire—oh, and keeping your pet hamster safe. With a literary edge and tons of commerical appeal, this incredible debut has it all: heart, humor, vividly imagined characters, and a pitch-perfect voice.
About the Author – Ross Welford
Ross Welford was a magazine journalist and television producer in the UK before becoming an author. He lives in London with his young family, a border collie, a hamster and several tropical fish. Time Traveling With A Hamster is his first book. A second book, What Not To Do If You Turn Invisible, will be published in the UK in early 2017.
My Thoughts:
I first have to say that the title of this book is one reason I picked it up. With a title like that, how could one not be curious?
While this book may at first glance look a tad too thick for the recommended age, I can assure you that once the reader gets started it no longer seems intimidating. The chapters are on the shorter side which is a great length for the younger readers, and with every turn of the page it gets harder and harder to put down.
The action in this book moved a pace that was perfect for keeping the readers attention, and I think it’s great that the death of Al’s father isn’t presented in a way that would upset the youngest of readers. All in all, both of my boys have really enjoyed this book.
Highly recommend.
Time Traveling With A Hamster can be found at your local book retailer or online at stores like Amazon.
