Throwback (Throwback, 1)

Thoroughly enjoyed this novel although I am way, way beyond the recommended ages of 8 to 12 and grades 3 to 7!The adventure is on for Corey Fletcher and he has that sense of humor that I find both endearing and wonderful....Corey, it seems, has the same ability to travel to the past that his grandfather had with a slight difference, however.Have always enjoyed time travel novels and this one is no exception. It is the first one in a trilogy and I will read on. (Have the author on 'follow' now so I don't miss the second one).This would, I believe, make an excellent gift for the upcoming holiday season. Any younger children would certainly enjoy Corey and his adventures. I know I did....Most highly recommended and for multiple reasons.

I spent most of last Saturday with the hero, young, quick witted Corey Fletcher, as he experienced the various layers of New York City's past. Loved the book!

I love the character interactions and the depiction of historical New York City in this middle-grade time-travel adventure, but it's maybe a bit overstuffed with plot. (The hero is nominally trying to save his grandmother from dying on September 11th, but he spends most of the narrative stuck in 1917.) There are also a few talking animals, which are technically explained yet feel far wackier than anything else in the story. And I'm not convinced that the ending is wholly earned, nor that some darker material involving the actual 9/11 attacks and repeated discussion of suicide represents the best choice for a book in this age range. Overall, though, it's a fun quick read.