Time Travel Twins: The Viking Attack

Name: William Joseph
Price range: $

by Josh Lacey, illustrated by Garry Parsons

Interest age: 6 to 8
Reading age: 7+

Published by David Fickling Books, 2023

Adventure
Historical
Myths and legends

About this book

Twins Scarlett and Thomas have a grandad with a time machine! When Thomas is struggling with his homework on Vikings, Grandad suggests he meets some. So Thomas whooshes back to the year 859AD, but without the crucial device to bring him home. Now Scarlett will have to go after him!

Thomas appears in the middle of a Viking longship, amid men keen to fight and steal from Wessex villagers. Meanwhile, Scarlett lands in a pig sty, in a Wessex village, and makes friends with a boy called Alfred. (Eventually to become King Alfred, in fact.) As the twins try to blend in, they quickly realise they’re headed towards each other, armed with swords and shields. Can they avoid fighting their new friends, stay alive and return home safely?

Packed with facts about life in the ninth century, and with a historical note at the back, this story is exciting and informative. The chapters switch between the twins’ points of view, which reminds readers that there are always two sides to history.

About the author

Josh Lacey is the author of The Dragonsitter, The Island of Thieves and the Grk series. He has worked as a journalist and written one book for adults, God is Brazilian. His first book for children, A Dog Called Grk, was shortlisted for the Branford Boase Award. He lives in London with his wife and daughter.

About the illustrator

Garry Parsons studied Fine Art at Canterbury and the Illustration Sequential Design M.A at University of Brighton. He is a talented new illustrator, whose work has captured the imaginations of children all over the UK. Billy's Bucket (written by Kes Gray) won the Red House Children's Book Award.

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