The Time Travelers

Twelve-year-old Peter Schock and Kate Dyer accidentally trigger an anti-gravity machine that transports them from present-day London to 1763. Lost in Georgian-era England, they must find a way back while navigating the dangers and customs of the 18th century. A displaced scientific genius named Gideon Seymour becomes their guide and protector in the past. The children encounter highwaymen, witness historical events, and race against a dangerous villain who wants to exploit time travel technology. Known in some editions as Gideon the Cutpurse, this first book in the Gideon trilogy combines historical fiction with science fiction elements. The narrative alternates between the children's adventures in 1763 and their parents' frantic search for them in the present day. The story explores themes of friendship, responsibility, and the impact of technological advancement on society. Through its parallel timelines, the novel raises questions about how the past shapes the present and future.

Readers found this book engaging but slow-paced, with many noting it takes several chapters to gain momentum. The rich historical details of 18th century London earned praise for accuracy and immersion. Liked: - Character development, especially the friendship between Peter and Gideon - Educational value about Georgian-era life and customs - Clean content suitable for middle-grade readers - Detailed descriptions of time travel mechanics Disliked: - Slow start and pacing issues - Some found the villains one-dimensional - Multiple character perspectives can be confusing - Cliffhanger ending frustrated those unaware it's part of a series Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (6,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (120+ ratings) Common reader comment: "Takes patience to get through the first few chapters, but worth it for the historical adventure." Several reviewers compared it favorably to "The Book of Time" series, though noted this has more emphasis on historical accuracy over action.

The Book of Time by Guillaume Prévost A teenage boy discovers a time travel device in his basement and journeys through history searching for his missing father.

TimeRiders by Alex Scarrow Three teens work as time travel agents to prevent historical events from being altered by rogue time travelers.

The House on the Corner by Andreas Steinhöfel Three siblings move into an old mansion and find a mysterious portal that transports them between different time periods.

The Missing Series Book 1: Found by Margaret Peterson Haddix A group of children discover they were stolen from different periods in history and must return to their original times.

Nick of Time by Ted Bell A twelve-year-old boy uses a time travel device to navigate between World War II and modern-day England while fighting Nazi spies.

🕰️ Author Linda Buckley-Archer was inspired to write this story after her own young daughter worried about getting lost, making the fear of displacement a central theme in the novel. ⚡ The book was originally published in the UK under the title "Gideon the Cutpurse" before being renamed "The Time Travelers" for its US release. 🎭 The historical sections of the novel are meticulously researched, featuring accurate details of 18th-century London, including the infamous Tyburn gallows and the cutpurse gangs that plagued the city. 📚 This book is the first in the "Gideon Trilogy," which took Buckley-Archer five years to complete while she balanced writing with her career as a radio producer. 🔮 The anti-gravity machine that triggers the time travel in the story was inspired by real scientific concepts, particularly the author's fascination with quantum physics and parallel universes.