The Time Travel Diaries

Alex's quiet London life changes when a billionaire recruits him for a secret mission involving time travel. The teen must use his knowledge of Latin and Ancient Roman culture to journey to the year AD 310 in search of a specific young woman. Armed with strict rules about time travel and historical accuracy, Alex navigates the dangerous streets of Roman Londinium. He encounters both allies and obstacles as he attempts to complete his mysterious assignment while avoiding detection as an outsider. The Time Travel Diaries combines historical facts about Roman Britain with elements of adventure and mystery. The novel explores themes of responsibility, friendship, and the complexities of moving between different time periods, while highlighting the vivid details of daily life in ancient London.

Readers find this book fast-paced and engaging for middle-grade students, particularly those interested in Roman history. The accurate historical details and London setting appeal to history enthusiasts. Liked: - Educational elements woven naturally into the story - Clear explanations of Roman life and customs - Relatable main character for young readers - Humor throughout the narrative - Quick pace keeps reluctant readers engaged Disliked: - Some found the time travel rules confusing - A few readers wanted more character development - Several noted the ending felt rushed Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (118 ratings) Amazon UK: 4.5/5 (48 reviews) Amazon US: 4.3/5 (22 reviews) Reader quote: "Perfect blend of history and adventure - my 11-year-old couldn't put it down" - Amazon reviewer The book performs well with its target audience of 9-12 year olds and teachers report success using it to supplement Roman history lessons.

TimeRiders by Alex Scarrow Three teenagers work as time-traveling agents to prevent disasters throughout history while confronting ethical dilemmas and historical figures.

The Last of the Time Police by Stephen Carper A young boy joins a secret organization of time-traveling law enforcement officers who protect the timeline from criminals and paradoxes.

The History Keepers by Damian Dibben A fourteen-year-old discovers his parents belong to a secret society of time travelers and embarks on missions through different centuries to preserve historical events.

The Book of Time by Guillaume Prévost A boy uses an ancient stone statue to travel through time in search of his missing father while encountering historical periods from ancient Egypt to World War I.

The Time Travelers by Linda Buckley-Archer Two children are accidentally transported from present-day London to 1763 and must navigate eighteenth-century society while searching for a way home.

🕰️ The book was inspired by a real Roman skull discovered in Southwark, London, belonging to a teenage girl from the Mediterranean region who lived around 200 CE. 🏛️ Author Caroline Lawrence collaborated with the Museum of London to ensure historical accuracy in depicting Roman London (Londinium) during the second century. 🗣️ The main character, Alex, must follow three strict rules of time travel: speak only ancient Greek, wear only ancient Roman clothes, and never, ever tell anyone when you're from. ✍️ Caroline Lawrence studied Classics at Berkeley and Classical Art and Archaeology at Cambridge before becoming a children's author specializing in historical fiction. 🎯 The book incorporates real archaeological findings from London's Roman past, including the Bloomberg tablets - ancient wooden writing tablets discovered during excavations in the City of London.