lola1229's review against another edition
Life is too short for cheap wine, bad coffee, and boring books.
readloveirie's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
agatha_hopkins's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-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? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping, Emotional abuse, and Abandonment
Minor: Child abuse
mb_runs's review against another edition
4.0
The first 50 pages piqued my interest but the middle was slow. The end was very good and made me want to read book 2.
readingthroughtheages's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked the story until the end. The end I loved because it was fast and fun but then I didn’t like it at all because it ended!!! Already looking forward to book #2....
the_fabric_of_words's review against another edition
5.0
We're waiting on our library to get the sequel to this... It's a fun time travel romp, but as always with time travel, it's makes my head hurt a bit thinking about it.
Mateo, Ruby and Corey have one family rule: stick together. So when Corey runs off without his lunch onto the subway, Mateo and Ruby go with him ...and they're rescued by a time ship, the Vermillion, which changes shape to fit each time and place it goes.
Once on board the Vermillion, it's be loyal to the captain or off you go. Rather than be stranded in time, the kids help the crew rob the Mona Lisa -- yes, that Mona Lisa, of the ubiquitous smile -- from a thief in 1911.
Hidden in the back of the painting is a key...but why does the captain want it? And why does he insist Mateo can "foremember" -- remember before he's done something -- events to solve the puzzle of where in time it is?
Then they travel back in time to a pivotal Mets game, and the kids run into a teenage version of their father, and Mateo realizes he can control time, just a bit. The kids figure out the captains plans, or at least they think they do, and he time strands them on a deserted island.
No spoilers, you'll have to read the rest to find out what happens. I'm afraid of giving away too much, you never know with time travel books what's going to be a spoiler of future events!
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
Mateo, Ruby and Corey have one family rule: stick together. So when Corey runs off without his lunch onto the subway, Mateo and Ruby go with him ...and they're rescued by a time ship, the Vermillion, which changes shape to fit each time and place it goes.
Once on board the Vermillion, it's be loyal to the captain or off you go. Rather than be stranded in time, the kids help the crew rob the Mona Lisa -- yes, that Mona Lisa, of the ubiquitous smile -- from a thief in 1911.
Hidden in the back of the painting is a key...but why does the captain want it? And why does he insist Mateo can "foremember" -- remember before he's done something -- events to solve the puzzle of where in time it is?
Then they travel back in time to a pivotal Mets game, and the kids run into a teenage version of their father, and Mateo realizes he can control time, just a bit. The kids figure out the captains plans, or at least they think they do, and he time strands them on a deserted island.
No spoilers, you'll have to read the rest to find out what happens. I'm afraid of giving away too much, you never know with time travel books what's going to be a spoiler of future events!
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
therealjuliabenson's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
bookworm_baggins's review against another edition
4.0
This was a really fun middle grade featuring time travel, history, mystery, and a great group of siblings. It feels like the start to a fun series, so I'm excited to see that the next book will be coming out this fall.
maidmarianlib's review against another edition
3.0
Love the context of the time-traveling ship that changes shape and the ambiguity of some characters loyalties, but the overall drama was a little slow and the climax left so much hanging.
elevetha's review against another edition
3.0
An enjoyable MG featuring time travel, betrayal, a creepy highly intelligent rat, and siblings(!).
The plot twist was heavily predictable and the plot regarding anything actually having to do with the Key or Mona Lisa or what it unlocks was very slight. We spent a lot more time (lol) meandering through time or chilling on the magical transforming ship. That being said, I liked it, the sibling dynamic especially, enough to be back for book 2.
The plot twist was heavily predictable and the plot regarding anything actually having to do with the Key or Mona Lisa or what it unlocks was very slight. We spent a lot more time (lol) meandering through time or chilling on the magical transforming ship. That being said, I liked it, the sibling dynamic especially, enough to be back for book 2.