Time Taxi: Book One: Back to Your Beginning
Written by Bruce Boyce
Illustrated by Daniel Demirdjian
Jack and Jill (they hate their names) are bored twins on summer vacation who live in the suburbs. They are tired of reading, watching TV, playing video games and texting friends. When Jill gets a weird message on her cell phone with a picture of a taxi on Jack’s screen and an invitation to take a taxi ride, they are mystified. After a phone call to their dad who confirms that he knows about the taxi, they follow the yellow brick path down the road where the yellow taxi marked Timeless awaits them.
The driver named Numan, who is a cloud shape-shifter, explains that they are going to take a trip through time using a wormhole as a short cut. Here the twins will meet their ancestors and experience what life was like on earth before life was human. First stop is more than three billion years in the past when the moon was three times bigger and life consisted of slimy green forms on rocks. Their next stop takes them inside a small primitive fish named Astraspis diserata. Jack experiences life as an Ichthostega, a life form that has made the transition to land having both gills and lungs. Their journey proceeds through the evolution cycle to Dimetrodon and the ancestors of the dinosaurs. Then they arrive in the dinosaur age just before the meteor hits the earth destroying most of the planet. As they continue forward, Jack and Jill meet their mammal ancestors, Australopithecus, Homo erectus and the wild wolves that were tamed and taught men how to hunt for food. Now men could hunt for meat and their brain size increased dramatically allowing them to become superior. When the children and the taxi arrive home at last, they find an unexpected surprise on their doorstep.
This book is a fantastic way to teach evolution and history, while allowing students to experience a fantasy adventure at the same time. The reader can imagine herself inside these creatures as the twins go on their riding adventures. They probably won’t realize how much knowledge they are absorbing. Middle grade students should find the reading level comfortable, and the colorful illustrations are an added bonus. Highly recommended for teachers and librarians to add to their bookshelves. Lovers of fantasy, history, time travel and adventure ages eight and above should not miss this one!
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9 responses to “TRIP THROUGH TIME”
LovableLobo
October 17th, 2014 at 02:29
Wow! Sounds like a fantastic adventure. Great review, Barbara!
bamauthor
October 17th, 2014 at 18:46
Never a dull moment on this ride….and it even has dad’s stamp of approval!
kimbrap
October 19th, 2014 at 02:29
Thanks for joining us on the #kidlitbloghop and for sharing about Jack and Jill’s adventures. I can think of plenty of my students who’ll enjoy the magic combination of fantasy and history. I look forward to following more of your posts,
Kimbra Power
Barefoot Librarian
bamauthor
October 19th, 2014 at 12:08
Thank you. Glad that you enjoyed the post and look forward to sharing more with you in the future.
mommynificent
October 22nd, 2014 at 12:50
What an interesting premise! I like that the kids check with their dad before embarking on their adventure, and I also appreciate that the book is up-front about the worldview it is promoting. Thanks for sharing this at Booknificent Thursday on Mommynificent.com this week! I always enjoy your reviews and interviews!
Tina
bamauthor
October 22nd, 2014 at 14:20
Thank you so much, Tina. I agree that the emphasis on respect in this book is a nice touch.
Renee @ Mother Daughter Book Reviews
October 22nd, 2014 at 20:08
This book reminds a lot of the Magic School Bus – merging adventure, time travel, science fiction, and educational tidbits. Sounds fantastic! Thanks for sharing in the Kid Lit Blog Hop!
bamauthor
October 22nd, 2014 at 20:46
Good analogy!
ccarpinello
October 30th, 2014 at 01:38
What a fun book! Thanks for sharing this adventure on the Kid Lit Blog Hop!