This is the perfect transnational book series for kids in grades kindergarten through second. I, as an adult and librarian loved it. It has a little something for everyone and is great to recommend to reader's looking for books similar to the Magic Tree House Series.

 

Joe gets a book for his birthday. But its not just any book its a magical book! They are suddenly taken back in time to Camelot and his knights. There are giants, dragons and evil creatures trying to get into Camelot's castle. It's up to Joe and his friends to save the day and somehow figure out how to get back home!

 

Every kid dreams about going back in time to the dinosaurs, to medieval times and more. This is the perfect series that delves into that. Their short, funny and great for that reader that is not quite ready for a lengthy chapter book. Definitely going to be recommending.

If you've got a child who likes basketball, the New York Knicks, adventure, or quick reads, check out the Time Warp Trio. They are always good for a hearty laugh and some interesting historical tidbits. When I saw that there was a Time Warp Trio book about the ancient Maya, of course I had to read it!

 

I've been wondering how to incorporate aspects of Maya culture in my own writing for children, so I was interested in how Scieszka managed. I was impressed at how he included specific snippets without bogging down the story.

 

* A priest standing at the top of El Castillo/ The Temple of Kukulkan can be heard by people in the plaza below through a trick of acoustics. I have not been able to confirm this in informational reading, but I'm still looking. The World Book Mysteries of the Maya (Enigmas of History series) does mention that a person clapping at the base of the north stairs can produce an echo that sounds like the chirp of the quetzl bird.

 

* Through a trick of light and shadows, the serpent appears to be crawling down the side of the pyramid. This is true, though most noticeably on the Fall Equinox. 

 

I was also struck at how Scieszka handled blood sacrifice: One of the boys had a bloody nose that appeased the God; the boy was hailed as having mercy for his opponents by sparing their lives.

 

Love this series/author to bring history alive for a kid. The reading level on this in my experience is around 2nd grade, enough words and sufficient vocabulary to be interesting but not overwhelming in length. We read this one during a study of early humans as a fun fictional read. My son (a so-so reader, age 7) had a week to read this and read it in two days, which says a lot about how much he enjoyed it.

The High and the Flighty is part of the Time Warp Trio series and is a really fast paced book that not only involves a science fiction angle (the girls are from the 22nd Century), but uses time travel as a way of exploring history - in a way. I have not read any of the other books in the series, and I didn't know this was based on a television series, but while the three girls do time travel back to see a significant event in history, I kind of wish Scieszka used it more than just a backdrop for the story. This may just be the case for The High and the Flighty since the historical event is Amelia Earhart, and her plane the Electra, and not a lot is known; but the event is really only mentioned once while the girls spend the rest of the time trying to find their book and speculate on why she was never found. I can see how that might make it a little harder to focus a story around, but I really like the concept and I'm interested enough to check out another book to see if more of the history is involved. I also have to say, I like that the three time travelers are girls and they weren't there as a status quo requirement. That's not something you see in a lot of adult science fiction.

This is not great literature, but the kid appeal is undeniable. These stories are funny, fast-paced and, sometimes, quite clever. Although specifically aimed at boys, any child (or adult) who enjoys silly, irreverent, action-packed stories should get a kick out of this series.