The author, Richard Smith has done everything needed to hook younger readers, both boys and girls (in my opinion) with TIME TRAP – a time-travel tale which takes the reader from modern London to the London of 1862. The book, beautifully printed in a bigger font – ideal for younger readers – has over 300 pages, a few well-chosen sketches, a map and begins with a question: “Who wants to be in a street gang? Jamie does!” And because of this obsession, Jamie needs to get one of his popular footballer friends, Todd, to back him if he wants to be in the Riverside Posse. It also mentions a few secrets, which as we know, everyone who loves a good story would love to solve.
The two boys, Jamie and Todd, spend a weekend at Jamie’s Uncle Simon’s strange house in London – as part of the deal to join the gang – and there Jamie sees his “two ghosts” for the first time. (This sighting moves the plot, even though his uncle and Todd don’t believe him). Jamie’s deal (to join the Riverside Posse) does not come cheap and to get Todd’s backing, Jamie takes him to see a secret laboratory – somewhere inside the British Museum – on a miserable, stormy afternoon. They’re fascinated by a strange-looking contraption. While the two boys have a closer look, a thunderbolt strikes, rendering the two boys momentarily unconscious.

When a bright light which blinds them, subsides, they are shocked to find themselves in a different London and before they have time to recover, they are being chased by thugs, the police and a band of ragged children. From here, the two boys live by their wits as they face danger around every turn. They are rescued a few times – twice by a charming gentleman who calls himself Bob, and on another occasion by a lady. To survive, they end up having to steal for a living after their own money and clothes are stolen by unscrupulous characters (well-described, scary enough, keeping to the historic time-frame).
Before landing in 1862 London, Jamie has read a lot about a mysterious Hector Lightfoot – a veteran from the Afghan War, who worked on some secret project for the government (did it involve time-travel?) and disappeared without a trace – and his associate, Catherine Wallace, a scientist. Now, trapped in 1862 London, he and Todd have only one way forward and that is to find these two persons (here again – a lot of action, twists and turns, moving the plot steadily to the point where they finally meet Miss Wallace, who is not at all keen to listen to their incredible tale), but when Jamie mentions certain facts relating to the 20th century, she accepts that they are indeed, time-travellers and agrees to help them.

Pluses for me: The story is fast-paced, jam-packed with action, has elements of mystery and surprise, coupled to a few seriously scary moments; is well-written with excellent dialogue, suitable language for 1862, well-fleshed out main characters and enough mystery and intrigue to keep even the laziest readers interested, and of course good descriptions, both specific scene settings – the underground gang of vagabonds’ den and Hector Lightfoot’s hide-out – as well as descriptive scenes – the white stone church, the Science Institute and the horse-drawn cabs and their drivers, as well as the sights, sounds AND SMELLS of old London.
The author also does not neglect to show how the two boys’ friendship is put to the test on a few occasions, but they begin to admire the strength and special aptitudes which both have. Jamie, for example, saves the day a few times when he shoots attackers with his sling-shot and Todd bravely attacks a vagabond who tries to stop their escape.
Without giving away the ending, I would like to mention that it ends with much nail-biting action which leaves the reader satisfied as all loose ends are tied up – including the two “ghosts”. This is a well-researched, historical fiction, fantasy story which I highly recommend being in a school library, as well as being used in a class-room during creative reading and writing sessions.