
A parent might reach for this book when their child is grappling with the 'what ifs' of family history or the deep sadness of losing a grandparent. It is a perfect choice for children who feel a sense of powerlessness regarding a family tragedy and need a way to process grief through the lens of adventure. The story follows Corey, a boy who discovers he can travel back in time through his grandfather's stories to 1917 Brooklyn. While it is a fast-paced science fiction mystery, it is grounded in the emotional reality of wanting to save someone you love. The book is appropriate for ages 8 to 12, offering a blend of historical education and a comforting exploration of resilience, family legacy, and the courage it takes to face things we cannot change.
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Sign in to write a reviewA sense of urgency and fear regarding a loved one's life-or-death situation.
The book deals directly with the impending death of a grandparent and historical trauma. The approach is secular and realistic in its emotional weight, even though the mechanism is fantastical. The resolution is bittersweet and hopeful, emphasizing acceptance over perfection.
A 10-year-old who is very close to an aging relative and is beginning to ask questions about family secrets, or a child who enjoys 'Back to the Future' style stakes but wants more emotional depth.
Parents should be prepared to discuss the 1917 setting, including the reality of poverty and the looming shadow of WWI. No specific scene needs censoring, but the tension of the grandfather's health crisis is persistent. A parent might see their child becoming withdrawn or obsessive after a relative is hospitalized, or perhaps they notice the child asking 'why' things happened the way they did in the family's history.
Younger readers will focus on the 'cool' factor of time travel and the mystery elements. Older readers will pick up on the nuances of the grandfather's regrets and the ethical dilemmas of altering a timeline.
Unlike many time travel books that focus on world events, this is deeply personal. It uses the sci-fi conceit to explore the specific, messy bonds of a multi-generational family.
Corey is a middle schooler with a special gift: he is a Throwback. By focusing on his grandfather Pop-Pop's memories, he can physically manifest in the past. When Pop-Pop falls critically ill, Corey travels back to 1917 New York City to prevent the childhood accident that he believes ruined his grandfather's life and health. Along the way, he navigates a gritty, historical Brooklyn, avoids 'time police,' and discovers that changing the past has unpredictable consequences for the people he loves in the present.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.