Erin Entrada Kelly

It’s August 1999 and twelve-year-old Michael is preparing for the looming Y2K crisis that’s just around the corner by keeping a small stockpile under his bed. His mom, nor his babysitter, Gibby, seem to be as worried. When a disoriented teenage boy appears out of nowhere, Michael’s life is turned around.

It turns out, the disoriented boy is named Ridge, and he’s the world’s first time traveler. As Gibby shows Ridge around the 1999s lifestyle - microwaves, basketballs, and the mall - Michael discovers their new friend has a book that outlines the events of the next twenty years. Michael wants - no, actually, he needs to get his hands on that book to find out the fate of the world in the next few months. But, how far is he willing to go to get it?

Oh to remember the Y2K crisis. I was seven and in all honesty, my memories don’t attach to computers crashing, but the world itself crumbling down?? I was probably overthinking it with the complete limited amount of knowledge I was given. My parents and my aunt and uncle weren’t concerned about it, so I just went with it.

This was cute and a fun introduction to the late 90’s for middle grade readers - and brings up the discussion of Y2K as well. It also gave plenty of shout outs to Millennials. I also enjoyed the twist(s) at the end - of course, not going to give them away.

I can see adults liking this just as much as kids because of the pop culture references and such. Again, this would probably open the discussion for kids to ask about the late 90s, early 2000s - especially Y2K and computer culture back in the day.

*Thank you Greenwillow Books and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review… (more)

Time travel juvenile fiction right in my wheelhouse!
Michael, a 12-year old living in 1999 and his 16-year old babysitter, Gibby, meet Ridge, a time-traveling teen from 200 years in the future. Their interactions, and how these interactions affect the multi-verse, make for a cool story.

I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars, because as an adult, I understood/enjoyed all the 1990s and 1999/Y2K impending doom references, but would it have the same nostalgic impact on a middle schooler today? I don't think so.… (more)

Gr 4–6—Set against the Challenger launch in 1986, the novel features the changing Thomas family.Cash is in
seventh grade (again) with twin siblings Bird and Fitch. Cash is lost, Fitch is angry, and Bird nurtures aspirations far
beyond societal and familial expectations. Meanwhile, their parents fight—a lot. Kelly expertly articulates tween
experiences while discussing prevalent issues like gender inequality. In an engrossing 1980s setting, the Thomas
siblings navigate difficult situations that are likely to feel familiar to many.… (more)