With his Trucktown series and Guys Read website, Jon Scieszka has made it his mission to encourage boys to read. The Time Warp Trio series of books (published by Puffin Books from 1991 to 2006), illustrated by long-time collaborator Lane Smith, is one more project in support of this mission.
The Time Warp Trio series centers on Joe, whose magician uncle gives him a mysterious blue book that enables time travel, and his two friends, Fred and Sam. The blue book transports the trio to historical places – Olympian Greece, King Arthur’s Britain, ancient Egypt – to meet famous people, like Leonardo Da Vinci, and witness great moments in history.
Books Packed with Action
Each book follows a similar pattern – one reminiscent of a summer action flick. The books begin in medias res, dropping the reader right into the action. Caught in some tight spot – usually with a two-headed monster or fire-spewing dragon breathing down their necks – the trio must first find a way out of the immediate danger, and then find the perpetually lost blue book so that it can transport them back to their own place and time.
After a brief explanation about how the mysterious blue book transported the trio yet again, the reader is tossed right back into quick-paced action. Almost every chapter ends with a cliffhanger, as if Scieszka is daring children to put it down. Adult readers may be reminded of the teases at the end of the Batman TV series and find themselves thinking, “What will become of our heroes? Will Joe find a way out of this mess? Will our heroes find the book and make their way home? Tune it tomorrow…”
Author Reaches Pre-Adolescent Boys
Scieszka clearly knows his audience. The Time Warp Trio books are fast-paced, full of slapstick humor, packed with action, and always include at least one chase scene – perfect for the pre-adolescent male readers he hopes to reach. The young protagonists in the stories interact with each other the same way that typical 9 to 11 year-old boys interact – that is, they hurl humorous insults at each other, wrestle with each other as much as with the villains, and always have each other’s backs.
In between all of the crazy antics, former teacher Scieszka manages to slip in bits of historical fact. To children familiar with the history, the books may reinforce their knowledge. However, children unfamiliar with the history probably will be unable to distinguish between the facts and fantasy in the novels. Teachers and parents could steer motivated children to additional resources if the novels spark an interest in a particular place or person.
Chapter Books Perfect for New Readers
The Time Warp Trio series fills a need for beginning chapter books that are neither too weighty nor too fluffy. Elementary age boys – and girls – will enjoy the adventures of three regular kids, and perhaps imagine some adventures of their own.
Nicole Fravel - Ms. Fravel is an educator, curriculum developer, and parent with over 15 years of experience in elementary and early childhood ...
Join the Conversation