I liked reading this book for many reasons. I liked how the author was able to introduce real historical figurers into the story. She wrote in figures such as Benjamin Franklin and George Washington for the children to interact with. I found it interesting to read how she portrayed these famous historical figures. I also liked that this book incorporated an element of humor to the serious topic of war. Throughout the book there are small bits of humor that make the book less serious and more enjoyable. For example, when the children first arrive in 1776 after accidentally time traveling there they repeatedly try to get cell phone reception. The message of this book is that war is complex. The children got to experience first hand the way the American Revolution divided communities, families, and friends. They soon discovered that war is not as black and white as it seems. The girls in particular made friends with a family of Tories and found it hard to believe that they would be considered the enemy to Americans. ( )

Matt and his friends time travel for the second time back to the Revolutionary War -- not willingly. However, they get caught in the time travel boat trying to stop Matt's sister from showing her friends how she traveled back in time before. This time, they land near British occupied Boston in the winter of 1776. Matt's sister Katie sprains her ankle and the girls and boys get separated when the boys look for help. The girls are rescued by a Loyalist family, who are very kind to them, and the boys fall in with Rebels. Matt is recruited to spy on the British, then all of the boys help to set up a fortification on Dorchester Heights overlooking Boston, a turning point in the war. The British and Loyalists immediately leave Boston. All of the kids see that people on both sides of the war were following what they believed to be right, which makes the whole war much less black and white for them. They also learn first hand how difficult life was in 1776, with food and wood for fire in short supply.

While this may be a book that parents, grandparents and teachers give to kids, kids who read it will gain an understanding of the times and will enjoy envisioning themselves working as a spy or aiding soldiers. ( )