Book 1: Storm in Time - The Peddler's Tale
Erik Benson, 5th grade teacher, Whittier Elementary, Tacoma, WA
Erik Benson, 5th grade teacher, Whittier Elementary, Tacoma, WA
If you like history and want to picture what it'd be like to go to another time, then you'll
like this book. This young-adult, historical fiction story focuses on Simon and his two
friends, Derrick and Lexi. The three find out about a mysterious electrical storm that
occurred in their hometown of Augustus more than 200 years ago. When they go to
investigate, Simon and Derrick walk into a mysterious thick fog and emerge in the year
1791.
This telling of post-revolutionary times is replete with factual information. Historical
facts keep the story relevant and alive, giving a sense of authenticity. Facts also provide
a jumping-off point for deeper study of 18th century life. Any of the various references
to colonial era technology would provide the basis for a research project.
Simon is a typical troubled teen living under some unique circumstances. He and his
cohorts are curious about history, and mysterious details provide further fuel for their
endeavors. Derrick is a typical jock with a weak drive for intellectual pursuits. Lexi, is a
dark-spirited girl who is looking for something significant to happen in her rather dull,
rural existence.
This is a great story for students, from ages nine and up, with a fascination for
historical events and personalities.
like this book. This young-adult, historical fiction story focuses on Simon and his two
friends, Derrick and Lexi. The three find out about a mysterious electrical storm that
occurred in their hometown of Augustus more than 200 years ago. When they go to
investigate, Simon and Derrick walk into a mysterious thick fog and emerge in the year
1791.
This telling of post-revolutionary times is replete with factual information. Historical
facts keep the story relevant and alive, giving a sense of authenticity. Facts also provide
a jumping-off point for deeper study of 18th century life. Any of the various references
to colonial era technology would provide the basis for a research project.
Simon is a typical troubled teen living under some unique circumstances. He and his
cohorts are curious about history, and mysterious details provide further fuel for their
endeavors. Derrick is a typical jock with a weak drive for intellectual pursuits. Lexi, is a
dark-spirited girl who is looking for something significant to happen in her rather dull,
rural existence.
This is a great story for students, from ages nine and up, with a fascination for
historical events and personalities.
| BOOK REVIEWS |
Book 1: Storm in Time
The Peddler's Tale
The Peddler's Tale
Book 2: Born Between
Times - The Salem
Witch Trials
Times - The Salem
Witch Trials
| Official Website of Author Debbi J. Needham |
 |  |  |  |  |
| Reading level: 4th Grade to Adult. |
Book 1: Storm in Time - The Peddler's Tale
Book Review by Katie Alexander, age 9
Book Review by Katie Alexander, age 9
There is a boy named Simon. He lives with his mother. They are very poor. He has a
friend named Derrick who is rich is Simon's view. On a no-school-day, they get lost in
a fog. They emerge in the year 1771 in the past. Can they save their future? Find out in
this exciting tale!
This is a great book for preteens, but younger kids can enjoy it too. It contains time
travel, thunder, lightning, red-coats, good versus evil and powers. It's a very interesting
book!
friend named Derrick who is rich is Simon's view. On a no-school-day, they get lost in
a fog. They emerge in the year 1771 in the past. Can they save their future? Find out in
this exciting tale!
This is a great book for preteens, but younger kids can enjoy it too. It contains time
travel, thunder, lightning, red-coats, good versus evil and powers. It's a very interesting
book!
Book 2: Born Between Times - The Salem Witch Trials
Amanda Inthavong, 5th grade, Parkside Elementary, Des Moines, WA
Join the eye-popping fictional adventure with Simon, Derek, and Lexi, as they
travel back in time. At first, Simon and Derek visited Salem, Massachusetts for a
Halloween festival. They met their friend, Lexi, in Simon’s dad’s museum. Next,
Simon was contacted by ghosts and he and his friends traveled back in time to
save his great-grandmother before Simon doesn’t exist. Finally, Simon and his
friends were able to save Simon’s great grandma and go back home.
The best part in the story is when Simon had a fight with William Stoughton
(Archibald Harrington). This book was the top because it had a lot of action,
adventure, and I could see the story in my head. My favorite quote in the book
was when Simon laughed, “…and Derrick would be in heaven if he was awake.”
I would recommend this book to people who like adventure, action, and who are
not afraid of reading it at night. This book was excellent. Every page I read gave
me more of an urge to read the next page. The pages came alive in my head.
It wasn't boring for me because there was a lot of excitement and mysteries to be
solved. It was not hard to concentrate because I was mostly in a quiet place.
Overall, this book was the best book. I would recommend it to people who like
action and adventure and who are not afraid of reading it at night.
Amanda Inthavong, 5th grade, Parkside Elementary, Des Moines, WA
Join the eye-popping fictional adventure with Simon, Derek, and Lexi, as they
travel back in time. At first, Simon and Derek visited Salem, Massachusetts for a
Halloween festival. They met their friend, Lexi, in Simon’s dad’s museum. Next,
Simon was contacted by ghosts and he and his friends traveled back in time to
save his great-grandmother before Simon doesn’t exist. Finally, Simon and his
friends were able to save Simon’s great grandma and go back home.
The best part in the story is when Simon had a fight with William Stoughton
(Archibald Harrington). This book was the top because it had a lot of action,
adventure, and I could see the story in my head. My favorite quote in the book
was when Simon laughed, “…and Derrick would be in heaven if he was awake.”
I would recommend this book to people who like adventure, action, and who are
not afraid of reading it at night. This book was excellent. Every page I read gave
me more of an urge to read the next page. The pages came alive in my head.
It wasn't boring for me because there was a lot of excitement and mysteries to be
solved. It was not hard to concentrate because I was mostly in a quiet place.
Overall, this book was the best book. I would recommend it to people who like
action and adventure and who are not afraid of reading it at night.
READER'S BOOK REVIEWS