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posies23's review against another edition
3.0
Johnny Dixon and his eccentric friend, Professor Childermass, are back! This time, they get mixed up in time travel, which leads them on a wacky adventure to the fall of Constantinople. And, honestly, "wacky" really is the operative word for this book. Compared to the previous Bellairs books, this one really seems disjointed and more like a weird gothic sci-fi "buddy comedy" than the expected creepy gothic storylines. (Part of this is the strange addition of an Egyptian god as a minor character, but you almost have to read it to understand.) There's still some good action, but the characterization is minimal, and there are some plot points that stretch believability even for a Bellairs novel. (And that's really saying something, let's be honest.) But I think I'm probably being to harsh here. Part of Bellairs's charm as a writer is his grasp of childhood's fears and lack of logic. In the best Bellairs books there's a balance between the adult world and the child world. I'm guessing most 10-13 year olds would really enjoy this book, and not dwell on how weird the plot is at times. Instead, they would focus on Johnny's fears about being lost in time and how he needs to work with the Professor to make things right. Overall, it was a good read, but nowhere near the best of the series.
schwimfan's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
calistareads's review against another edition
3.0
I love this series. What I'm wondering is this; is there another set of books out there where there are women in a gothic mystery for teens? There are no women in these first 6 books or female characters really besides gramma. I see there is a female character in the Lewis series, so there is that. I would love to read something like this with some women. I think that's why I like Ivy pocket.
I don't know anything about Constantinople and its history. This book was more history of the city and what happened than I had known. This book is a time travel piece. A trolley is a time machine and it goes back to the fall of Constantinople in the 1400s. Our 3 characters get swept up in the siege of the city.
I have to admit, I knew the trio would get back to the present, but I couldn't figure out how they would get back. It made me a nervous.
This is well written, but it is still not my favorite in the series. There were ghosts and magic relics and magic items in this story. It still didn't have the same creepy factor the others have had. I was entertained by the book and I look forward to reading the next one next month.
I don't know anything about Constantinople and its history. This book was more history of the city and what happened than I had known. This book is a time travel piece. A trolley is a time machine and it goes back to the fall of Constantinople in the 1400s. Our 3 characters get swept up in the siege of the city.
I have to admit, I knew the trio would get back to the present, but I couldn't figure out how they would get back. It made me a nervous.
This is well written, but it is still not my favorite in the series. There were ghosts and magic relics and magic items in this story. It still didn't have the same creepy factor the others have had. I was entertained by the book and I look forward to reading the next one next month.
jhadler's review against another edition
3.0
This is a fun time-travel book, would be appreciated by 9-12 year-olds.
bev_reads_mysteries's review against another edition
3.0
Well...Professor Childermass is acting weird again and Johnny Dixon is all concerned about him. You'd think that he and his friend Fergie would know by now (it's the sixth book in the series, after all) that the professor isn't going crazy (well no crazier than normal) and isn't getting old and senile--there's just another adventure in store. But they're concerned because the professor has taken to talking to himself and leaving piles of sand on his floor.
This time, the professor has discovered a secret tunnel connected to his house with an old trolley and trolley station with ticket booth and everything. And at some point the previous owner of the house had converted the trolley into a time machine that could go to certain places at any particular time you wanted. Near these locations are Holes of Time which allow the time travel (and which explains why you can only arrive at certain locations). Professor Childermass has decided that he wants to go back to Constantinople during the Turkish invasion of 1453 and save the people who take refuge in Church of the Holy Wisdom. Armed with flares and a raft he prepares to set off and Johnny and Fergie join him. along the way they meet a talking statue or two, ghosts of the Knights Templar, and also the inventor of the time traveling trolley. Will the be able to save the people in the church and change history? Will they survive the invasion? Will they be able to get back to their time trolley and return safely to the present day (1950s Massachusetts for them)? You'll just have to read the story and find out!
Another fun entry into this series--full of ghosts, magic, fantasy, a dash of mystery, and a nicely encapsulated history lesson about 1400s Constantinople. The characters are interesting and so are their interactions. It's a very nice story for middle-grade readers and I love the Edward Gorey cover and frontispiece. I'm sure I would have really enjoyed these books if I had discovered Bellairs when I was young and I'm still able to enjoy them now. ★★★ and a half.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting portions of review. Thanks.
This time, the professor has discovered a secret tunnel connected to his house with an old trolley and trolley station with ticket booth and everything. And at some point the previous owner of the house had converted the trolley into a time machine that could go to certain places at any particular time you wanted. Near these locations are Holes of Time which allow the time travel (and which explains why you can only arrive at certain locations). Professor Childermass has decided that he wants to go back to Constantinople during the Turkish invasion of 1453 and save the people who take refuge in Church of the Holy Wisdom. Armed with flares and a raft he prepares to set off and Johnny and Fergie join him. along the way they meet a talking statue or two, ghosts of the Knights Templar, and also the inventor of the time traveling trolley. Will the be able to save the people in the church and change history? Will they survive the invasion? Will they be able to get back to their time trolley and return safely to the present day (1950s Massachusetts for them)? You'll just have to read the story and find out!
Another fun entry into this series--full of ghosts, magic, fantasy, a dash of mystery, and a nicely encapsulated history lesson about 1400s Constantinople. The characters are interesting and so are their interactions. It's a very nice story for middle-grade readers and I love the Edward Gorey cover and frontispiece. I'm sure I would have really enjoyed these books if I had discovered Bellairs when I was young and I'm still able to enjoy them now. ★★★ and a half.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting portions of review. Thanks.
calistareads's review against another edition
3.0
I love this series. What I'm wondering is this; is there another set of books out there where there are women in a gothic mystery for teens? There are no women in these first 6 books or female characters really besides gramma. I see there is a female character in the Lewis series, so there is that. I would love to read something like this with some women. I think that's why I like Ivy pocket.
I don't know anything about Constantinople and its history. This book was more history of the city and what happened than I had known. This book is a time travel piece. A trolley is a time machine and it goes back to the fall of Constantinople in the 1400s. Our 3 characters get swept up in the siege of the city.
I have to admit, I knew the trio would get back to the present, but I couldn't figure out how they would get back. It made me a nervous.
This is well written, but it is still not my favorite in the series. There were ghosts and magic relics and magic items in this story. It still didn't have the same creepy factor the others have had. I was entertained by the book and I look forward to reading the next one next month.
I don't know anything about Constantinople and its history. This book was more history of the city and what happened than I had known. This book is a time travel piece. A trolley is a time machine and it goes back to the fall of Constantinople in the 1400s. Our 3 characters get swept up in the siege of the city.
I have to admit, I knew the trio would get back to the present, but I couldn't figure out how they would get back. It made me a nervous.
This is well written, but it is still not my favorite in the series. There were ghosts and magic relics and magic items in this story. It still didn't have the same creepy factor the others have had. I was entertained by the book and I look forward to reading the next one next month.
disney_mom5's review against another edition
2.0
I'm so upset that I didn't like this book. I loved this author when I was young and wanted to reread one of my old favorites. When I got halfway through, I doubted I'd actually read this book when I was younger, but it was just the first one by him I saw at the library available for check out. Anyway, if you don't mind completely inconceivable plot lines, potentially incorrect historical references and poorly established characters, then maybe this is for you... or maybe if you're 10 like I was when I would have read it the first time. ;) Not one that gets better with age. Maybe next up, The Phantom Tollboth or A Wrinkle in Time. I think I'd be happier at the end of the book anyway.
easolinas's review against another edition
4.0
Time travel in fantasy is now such a cliche that it's a bit hard to write anything original about it. But John Bellairs managed. "Trolley to Yesterday" has a bunch of intriguing twists and unexpected events -- and while it doesn't have as much supernatural content or scary bits, it still is an enjoyable read.
Professor Childermass is acting even more oddly than usual, which is saying something. When Fergie and Johnny try to investigate his weird behavior (including sand on his carpet and talking to himself), they find the professor having a conversation with Brewster, a magical Egyptian statue. He admits his secret: Behind a bricked-up wall is a time-travelling trolley. And the boys hitch a ride when Childermass travels back in time to save the city of Constantinople from invasion.
The problem? They arrive a little too late, and the city is being overrun by Turkish soldiers. As they struggle to make their way back to the trolley and the safety of the future, they encounter the trolley's creator (who accidently got left behind during one of its previous excursions), a deranged monk, and a group of ghostly Crusaders. But then Johnny is poisoned, and the only cure means going back to Constantinople -- and back into danger.
Usually time travel books are full of cliches, and this one has a few, but you probably won't notice them. Kids who read this book may become interested in the Byzantine Empire -- while Bellairs doesn't present huge amounts of historical detail, he gives enough to be very, very interesting. (There's also a dash of Egyptian stuff too) There's adventure, humor and the odd way of getting around.
Johnny and Fergie remain the surprisingly courageous duo of previous books, the shy boy and his brasher, jokier pal. Professor Childermass is crusty, sometimes a bit irrational, but very lovable. And Brewster (a deity of Upper and Lower Egypt) really steals the show with his dry little comments. .
This book proably has one of the lowest amounts of supernatural stuff of Bellairs' books. Certainly it doesn't have much in the way of horror. But there is a great twist about halfway through, where our heroes are aided by a group of ghostly Crusaders, who are trying to make amends for sacking the city centuries before. I suppose Brewster technically counts as supernatural, and he provides a lot of the humor (such as translating a Turkish soldier's words as "Butter and eggs, and a pound of cheese!").
"Trolley To Yesterday" isn't Bellairs' best novel, but it is an intriguing and informative historical book that adults may enjoy as well, especially if they're Byzantine buffs. Good fun.
Professor Childermass is acting even more oddly than usual, which is saying something. When Fergie and Johnny try to investigate his weird behavior (including sand on his carpet and talking to himself), they find the professor having a conversation with Brewster, a magical Egyptian statue. He admits his secret: Behind a bricked-up wall is a time-travelling trolley. And the boys hitch a ride when Childermass travels back in time to save the city of Constantinople from invasion.
The problem? They arrive a little too late, and the city is being overrun by Turkish soldiers. As they struggle to make their way back to the trolley and the safety of the future, they encounter the trolley's creator (who accidently got left behind during one of its previous excursions), a deranged monk, and a group of ghostly Crusaders. But then Johnny is poisoned, and the only cure means going back to Constantinople -- and back into danger.
Usually time travel books are full of cliches, and this one has a few, but you probably won't notice them. Kids who read this book may become interested in the Byzantine Empire -- while Bellairs doesn't present huge amounts of historical detail, he gives enough to be very, very interesting. (There's also a dash of Egyptian stuff too) There's adventure, humor and the odd way of getting around.
Johnny and Fergie remain the surprisingly courageous duo of previous books, the shy boy and his brasher, jokier pal. Professor Childermass is crusty, sometimes a bit irrational, but very lovable. And Brewster (a deity of Upper and Lower Egypt) really steals the show with his dry little comments. .
This book proably has one of the lowest amounts of supernatural stuff of Bellairs' books. Certainly it doesn't have much in the way of horror. But there is a great twist about halfway through, where our heroes are aided by a group of ghostly Crusaders, who are trying to make amends for sacking the city centuries before. I suppose Brewster technically counts as supernatural, and he provides a lot of the humor (such as translating a Turkish soldier's words as "Butter and eggs, and a pound of cheese!").
"Trolley To Yesterday" isn't Bellairs' best novel, but it is an intriguing and informative historical book that adults may enjoy as well, especially if they're Byzantine buffs. Good fun.