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edshara's review against another edition
4.0
I had to power through a book hangover, when I started this, but I really enjoyed it.
Maggie and Hannah were great characters with relatable strengths and weaknesses. It was interesting to see that even though they were so different, they were a perfect pair. I found it refreshing that this book featured two female protagonists and they weren’t whiny and didn’t waste time bickering.
Maggie and Hannah responded to their time travel, in ways, that I felt truly fit their characters. Each made mistakes and fumbled, although, they were able to regroup and stay on task. I liked that their experiences, outside of the time travel, were believable. Their were no quick fixes or miraculous abilities. They had to work with the skills they had and that was really interesting to see. It was also nice to see that each girl got to step up and take the lead. The book even addressed the weirdness of Maggie and Hannah’s situation after they time traveled and I thought that was a fun bonus.
Jonah was a great character as well. He was easy to like and I though he was wise. The method of time travel was unique and I liked how it fed into the history of the story. The book also does a good job of incorporating women’s rights, pop culture, family, friendship, mystery and other typical tween situations. I really appreciate the authors, for all the additional resources, they provided at the end of the book.
As for flaws, their was a point when I felt that the pop culture references were excessive and sometimes the slang dialogue felt forced. It also seemed like things wrapped up a little too easily, especially for Jonah. Overall though, this book was a fun read and I’m glad I was able to get my library to pick up a copy.
Maggie and Hannah were great characters with relatable strengths and weaknesses. It was interesting to see that even though they were so different, they were a perfect pair. I found it refreshing that this book featured two female protagonists and they weren’t whiny and didn’t waste time bickering.
Maggie and Hannah responded to their time travel, in ways, that I felt truly fit their characters. Each made mistakes and fumbled, although, they were able to regroup and stay on task. I liked that their experiences, outside of the time travel, were believable. Their were no quick fixes or miraculous abilities. They had to work with the skills they had and that was really interesting to see. It was also nice to see that each girl got to step up and take the lead. The book even addressed the weirdness of Maggie and Hannah’s situation after they time traveled and I thought that was a fun bonus.
Jonah was a great character as well. He was easy to like and I though he was wise. The method of time travel was unique and I liked how it fed into the history of the story. The book also does a good job of incorporating women’s rights, pop culture, family, friendship, mystery and other typical tween situations. I really appreciate the authors, for all the additional resources, they provided at the end of the book.
As for flaws, their was a point when I felt that the pop culture references were excessive and sometimes the slang dialogue felt forced. It also seemed like things wrapped up a little too easily, especially for Jonah. Overall though, this book was a fun read and I’m glad I was able to get my library to pick up a copy.
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review against another edition
3.0
I remember reading this at the end of the school year in May 2018 I thoroughly enjoyed it. I remember how the ending shocked me when it showed who stole the painting. I loved both of the girl's reactions.
kiperoo's review against another edition
5.0
What a fun book! It took my daughters and I a while to read because we read it out loud, but it really enhanced the experience, since Maggie and Hannah are such different characters. It was so cool diving into both of their worlds, especially watching them adjust to their new eras!
jenmat1197's review against another edition
5.0
This is the story of Hannah Jordan and Maggie Dunlap. Hannah lives in a mansion that was turned into a museum. It is the Elms in Newport, Rhode Island. Hannah's father is the caretaker of the museum, and Hannah has spent her time learning about the family that lived there. She seems to know more than ever the guides who take visitors through the museum.
The biggest mystery of the Elms is an art heist that took place in 1905. It involved the 12 year old niece of the homeowners - Maggie Dunlap - and a painting of her that her aunt had commissioned. Hannah has always been fascinated by the story of the heist, and Maggie. One day, she is cleaning a mirror and touches a spot on the mirror that sends her swirling into the past. The next thing she knows - she is Maggie in 1905 and Maggie is her.
The girls have no idea why this happened, but they are determined to find out. Hannah gets her wish to see what it was like to live at the Elms while it was a house and Maggie gets a chance to see what it is like in the future. The girls think that the art heist is the heart of the reason they were switched, and now they must work together - and quickly - to set things right.
This was a great book. I actually know the author, Kristine Asselin quite well. She is an amazing person in real life, and her personality shines in this book. There is a nice message woven within the pages of the mystery, and my daughter, especially, was tuned into that. Plus, there are a lot of true to life elements in the book that I was drawn to. (The Elms, The Berwinds, Maggie, etc - all real places and people).
I am glad we had a chance to read it and I cannot wait to see what Kris writes in the future. Bravo!
The biggest mystery of the Elms is an art heist that took place in 1905. It involved the 12 year old niece of the homeowners - Maggie Dunlap - and a painting of her that her aunt had commissioned. Hannah has always been fascinated by the story of the heist, and Maggie. One day, she is cleaning a mirror and touches a spot on the mirror that sends her swirling into the past. The next thing she knows - she is Maggie in 1905 and Maggie is her.
The girls have no idea why this happened, but they are determined to find out. Hannah gets her wish to see what it was like to live at the Elms while it was a house and Maggie gets a chance to see what it is like in the future. The girls think that the art heist is the heart of the reason they were switched, and now they must work together - and quickly - to set things right.
This was a great book. I actually know the author, Kristine Asselin quite well. She is an amazing person in real life, and her personality shines in this book. There is a nice message woven within the pages of the mystery, and my daughter, especially, was tuned into that. Plus, there are a lot of true to life elements in the book that I was drawn to. (The Elms, The Berwinds, Maggie, etc - all real places and people).
I am glad we had a chance to read it and I cannot wait to see what Kris writes in the future. Bravo!
melodierhae's review against another edition
4.0
Cute historical fiction, but I couldn't help feel like Hannah's voice crossed the line from "a child's voice" to "adult voice trying to sound childlike". Excellent resources in the back to add background knowledge for young historical fiction readers!
yapha's review against another edition
4.0
Twelve year olds Hannah Jordan and Maggie Dunlop both live in Newport, Rhode Island in the same house, except Maggie lives there in 1905 and Hannah lives there now. Maggie is the niece of the estate's owner, and enjoys the many luxuries (and restrictions) of a girl from upper class society in the gilded age. Hannah is the daughter of the caretaker of the museum that the house has become. Through a twist of fate, the two girls manage to switch bodies and places in time. Suddenly, Hannah is in Maggie's body in 1905, living in the world she has been obsessed with for years. For Maggie the future is a strange place indeed, but she begins to enjoy the freedom that girls have in many aspects of their lives (No corsets! Wearing pants! Running on the soccer field! Running for president!). Hannah decides that they must have been switched so that she can stop a theft from happening, but it is not as easy it seemed to be from the future. A very fun time-travel, body-swapping adventure! Highly recommended to grades 4 and up.
jbrooxd's review against another edition
4.0
Fun historical fantasy! The characters are great and the adjustments to the new time period felt on target. But to me the best part was the girl-power piece. Great resources in the author’s note for kids who want to read more.
okiecozyreader's review against another edition
4.0
I explained this book to a group of students today and a boy raised his hand and said, “it’s kind of like Freaky Friday?” Yes, it is.
Maybe because I’m an art major and I spent my honeymoon in Newport, RI, I enjoyed this story of girls who trade physical bodies to try to prevent a painting from being stolen. I love the focus on important women (including Mary Cassatt). I had never thought about how weird it would be to physically be in someone else’s body. This book did a good job helping students to really think it through.
I think this book will spark creative thinking in readers. I enjoyed both viewpoints and the thoughtfulness of explaining time periods, too.
Maybe because I’m an art major and I spent my honeymoon in Newport, RI, I enjoyed this story of girls who trade physical bodies to try to prevent a painting from being stolen. I love the focus on important women (including Mary Cassatt). I had never thought about how weird it would be to physically be in someone else’s body. This book did a good job helping students to really think it through.
I think this book will spark creative thinking in readers. I enjoyed both viewpoints and the thoughtfulness of explaining time periods, too.