Gideon the Cutpurse

Peter Schock and Kate Dyer find themselves transported from present-day England to 1763 after an accident with an anti-gravity machine. Lost in the past, they encounter Gideon Seymour, a reformed cutpurse who agrees to help them return home. The children must navigate 18th century London while evading the Tar Man, a dangerous criminal who has stolen the device that could send them back to their own time. Their journey takes them through both city streets and rural England as they search for a way home and attempt to prevent changes to history. Science and time travel mix with historical adventure as the story explores two distinct time periods in British history. The parallel narratives of the children's modern-day families searching for answers adds urgency to the main plot in 1763. The novel examines themes of friendship, trust, and the consequences of technological advancement while highlighting the stark differences and surprising similarities between two centuries of human experience.

Readers praise the book's historical accuracy and vivid depictions of 18th century England, with many noting the strong character development of both Peter and Kate. The time travel elements and action sequences keep readers engaged throughout. Common criticisms include a slow start to the story and some confusing shifts between time periods that younger readers found hard to follow. Several reviewers mentioned the ending left them unsatisfied and wanting more resolution. Amazon reviews highlight the "rich historical details" and "authentic dialogue," while some note the book feels "too long" at points. Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (4,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (120+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 4/5 Notable reader comments: "Perfect blend of history and sci-fi" - Goodreads reviewer "Takes too long to get going" - Amazon reviewer "The villains felt real and threatening" - LibraryThing review "Some younger readers might struggle with the pacing" - Parent reviewer on Common Sense Media

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The Book of Time by Guillaume Prévost A boy uses a time machine hidden in a basement to search through history for his missing father.

The Time Travelers by Linda Buckley-Archer Two children from modern London become stranded in 1763 and must navigate the dangers of the past while seeking a way home.

The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens Three siblings discover a book that allows them to travel through time and encounter both historical events and magical elements.

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🕰️ The book was released in the UK under a different title: "The Time Travelers" (2006) 📚 Linda Buckley-Archer was inspired to write the story after her own daughter briefly went missing in a busy department store, leading her to imagine what it would be like if a child truly disappeared 🏰 The author spent extensive time researching 18th-century London to create authentic historical details, including visiting museums and studying period documents ✒️ The novel combines elements of both historical fiction and science fiction, making it one of the earlier examples of time-slip fiction aimed at young readers in the 21st century 🎬 The film rights to the book were optioned by Kate Beckinsale's production company in 2007, though a movie has not yet been produced