Back in Time with Benjamin Franklin (Qwerty Stevens Series)

by Dan Gutman

Overview

One minute Qwerty Stevens is researching a last-minute report on the Internet, and the next minute Benjamin Franklin is sitting on his bed! Thanks to the Anytime Anywhere Machine hooked up to his computer, Qwerty has snatched Franklin from July 4, 1776, the very day the Declaration of Independence was signed. Qwerty and his best friend, Joe, realize they have to get Franklin back in time for the signing, and they can't resist seeing it with their own eyes. Can the boys make sure the Declaration gets signed like history says it should? And can they make it back home?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780689878848
Publisher:	Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Publication date:	06/01/2005
Series:	Qwerty Stevens Series
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	5.12(w) x 7.62(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	710L (what's this?)
Age Range:	9 - 12 Years

About the Author

Dan Gutman hated to read when he was a kid. Then he grew up. Now he writes cool books like The Kid Who Ran for President; Honus & Me; The Million Dollar Shot; Race for the Sky; and The Edison Mystery: Qwerty Stevens, Back in Time. If you want to learn more about Dan or his books, stop by his website at DanGutman.com.

Editorial Reviews

Gr 5-8-When Robert "Qwerty" Stevens, 13, realizes that he has a report on the American Revolution due in a couple of hours, he copies information directly from the Web and scans in a picture of Benjamin Franklin. Suddenly, the statesman is sitting on the teen's bed, zapped through time by the Anytime Anywhere Machine, which is connected to the computer. Franklin, who is fascinated by 21st-century gadgets, accompanies the boy to class, where he charms the teacher, who thinks he is an impersonator, and expounds on the Revolutionary period. After school, Qwerty and a friend decide to go to 1776 Philadelphia with Franklin for the signing of the Declaration of Independence; however, they are in such a hurry that they forget to arrange a return to the present. A combination of fantasy, history, and adventure, this clever, fast-paced successor to Qwerty Stevens, Back in Time: The Edison Mystery (S & S, 2001) is sure to keep readers' attention, and Gutman's characterization of Franklin is memorable. There are several illustrations, including a portrait of the statesman; a chronology of his life and achievements; and an author's note that corrects some historical myths. This novel is a perfect choice for booktalking and reading aloud to students, particularly those who enjoyed Jon Scieszka's "Time Warp Trio" series (Viking).-Doris Losey, Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library, Tampa, FL Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

School Library Journal

In this laugh-out-loud sequel to The Edison Mystery (not reviewed), seventh-grade computer whiz Qwerty Stevens sucks Ben Franklin out of the past for a tour of the modern world, then follows him back to 1776 to witness the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Pulling a history report off the Internet (for which he gets into deep doo-doo later), Qwerty accidentally activates his "Anywhere Anytime" machine-and suddenly there's an old man in tights sitting on his bed. Marveling at such wonders as light switches and pencil sharpeners, uttering strings of apothegms (" 'The more a man has, the more he wants. Wealth is not his that has it, but his that enjoys it. He that is of the opinion money will do everything may well be suspected of doing everything for money' ") and hitting on every woman he meets, Franklin proves to be the hero of the piece, calmly confronting a bully in Qwerty's class, then later outwitting deranged thief Ashley Quadrel who, as in the previous adventure, follows Qwerty back in time with the intent of wreaking havoc on the past. Gutman separates historical fact, of which there is a considerable amount here, from fiction in an afterword, then closes with an appreciation of Franklin's inventions and other accomplishments. The author gives Qwerty a mild case of ADD, just to jump on that bandwagon, but his light touch makes this a painless introduction to a pivotal person in American history as well as a knee-slapper for "Time Warp Trio" fans. (Fiction. 10-13)

Kirkus Reviews