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A review by sheena_sherburn
Time Travelling with a Hamster by Ross Welford
challenging
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
2.25
This was suggested at a reading group for my young brothers (age 9-11). The book had a good foundation story but it felt like it had been fleshed out way too much. To the point that my brothers were getting lost and felt that the words the 12 year old character Albert was using was very unrealistic for his age.
They thought that if Albert was made to go back and forth from his old house a little less, before time travelling, it would have been a bit more enjoyable and they would’ve been able to get hooked on the storyline a bit sooner.
As an adult I thought the idea of the story was a good one but I agree that it’s definitely a bit too wordy for younger readers that struggle. I would have personally made Albert a little bit older in the books, just so the language he uses and the actions in the story made a little bit more sense (maybe 14 instead?).
I would say this book needs to be aimed more at 13+ readers so they have a full understanding of the language involved.
They thought that if Albert was made to go back and forth from his old house a little less, before time travelling, it would have been a bit more enjoyable and they would’ve been able to get hooked on the storyline a bit sooner.
As an adult I thought the idea of the story was a good one but I agree that it’s definitely a bit too wordy for younger readers that struggle. I would have personally made Albert a little bit older in the books, just so the language he uses and the actions in the story made a little bit more sense (maybe 14 instead?).
I would say this book needs to be aimed more at 13+ readers so they have a full understanding of the language involved.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Death of parent