Loved this as a kid, and it holds up well, though the "present-day" specifics about cars, clothes, etc. are dated now. Chad's thoroughly Californian family goes to spend two weeks in New York, where Chad and his little brother, Luke, keep getting - to borrow a phrase from Vonnegut - unstuck in time. They keep slipping back, and it becomes clear there is a tragedy they are meant to prevent. Will they be able to stop it? And if they do, will they be able to return to their own time?

Quotes

"People can't see from one time to another, like they're looking over a fence. History's in the library. It's all filed away."
"I wouldn't bet on it, Chad. Everything that ever happened is still going on, inside us." (37)

"I can unlock the past," he said. "You know that." (Luke to Chad, 46)

"Lots of things about the past are like memories that just slipped my mind. I need practice. We both do." (Luke to Chad, 81) ( )

Good time travel book for kids and adults. ( )

Creepy. I really really liked this book as a kid. ( )

15 year old Chad and 8 year old Luke move with their family from California to a 100 year old house in New York City for two weeks. From their first night there, Chad and Luke hear strange voices at late at night. Then we discover that Luke has this strange ability to see the historical time of something when he is around old places or old things. So on walks through New York City, he and Chad see things like Revolutionary soldiers and horse-drawn carriages. Chad wonders whether this is a gift or if they have been given a mission to complete. Soon they discover that they do have a mission to accomplish, but I don't want to give too much away..

This was a fun read, with a fascinating story told with lots of humor. I thought I was going to be reading a ghost story, but found a time travel one instead. It was published in 1989 and some of it seems a little dated... such as Beastie Boy shoes, white pancake make-up with black lipstick for the teenage angst/rebel look, Top Gun posters, and Sting references. The New York City descriptions were excellent and very detailed. I particularly enjoyed the chapter set in Central Park. ( )

One of my favorite books in middle school. My 6th grade teacher read this out loud to us and I loved it so much I had to buy it at one of our book fairs! The writing is humorous and engaging enough to keep young people interested as they follow brothers Chad and Luke through their surreal experiences. The family moves from California to New York City for a short while, renting a town house that turns out to have an historical past that is quickly becoming part of Chad and Luke's present.

I would highly recommend this read. ( )