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Children's books

Join in for children's book recommendations.

Time travel books - quite niche requests

50 replies

CatBusStop · 15/05/2026 12:08

Hi, DD (12) loves history and would like some fiction recommendations where ideally historical characters (Tudors onwards) time travel to modern day. But would also consider modern-day characters travelling back in time.
My only suggestion so far was Voices After Midnight by Richard Peck.
Thanks!

OP posts:
RaininSummer · 15/05/2026 18:42

ChessieFL · 15/05/2026 18:15

They are, but there’s a reasonably graphic sex scene in the first one which wouldn’t really be suitable for a 12yo!

Ah Ty. I actually couldn't remember but I suppose they can bank that series for later.

Aparecium · 15/05/2026 18:52

The Green Knowe books by Lucy Boston all include time-travel. I loved those and still have two of the series (time for a trawl of second hand book sites, I think).

It’s many years since I read it, but how about A Connecticut Yankee in the Court of King Arthur, by Mark Twain. Probably hideously dated, but if she likes older literature she might enjoy it.

ViperHalliwell · 15/05/2026 18:53

Maybe The Sterkarm Handshake by Susan Price (I think there are a couple of sequels, too). Set against the backdrop of 16th century border skirmishes between Scotland and England. Initially, 21st century travellers go back in time to impose their own standards on what they see as unacceptable behaviour (and to exploit the situation for their own benefit). Then one 16th century character goes into the visitors' present and draws his own conclusions about their society, too.

There is a love affair involved between characters from two timelines, but nothing graphic - and these are marketed as YA.

HelenaWilson · 15/05/2026 18:54

When I was a child I loved:

The House of Arden by E Nesbit
The Ship that Flew by Hilda Lewis
The Story of the Amulet by E Nesbit.

Twelve is probably on the verge of being too old for them, but the Nesbits will be available free online somewhere, so she can give them a go.

Jody Taylor chronicles of st Mary's series is great. I think there is at least one where it's Tudors but they are all a good read.

They are, but there’s a reasonably graphic sex scene in the first one which wouldn’t really be suitable for a 12yo!

There's actually a sexual assault in the first one.
I definitely wouldn't give them to a 12yo. 14/15 at the youngest, I think. They are definitely for adults. There's quite a lot of death and violence.

OakleyStreetisnotinChelsea · 15/05/2026 18:58

Cora Taylor "The Doll" also published as "yesterday's doll". Meg is poorly and recuperating in bed and her grandmother gives her an old family doll. When the girl falls asleep she finds herself with a pioneer family crossing the plains of America and they are all calling her Morag. I absolutely loved it as a child. It all turns out that the doll belonged to Morag and Morag ultimately died of fever but Meg is the descendent of that family.

TressiliansStone · 15/05/2026 19:03

This reply has been hidden

This reply has been hidden until the MNHQ team can have a look at it.

TressiliansStone · 15/05/2026 19:05

Oh no, not sure why my post's hidden! It has a link to someone's blogpost reviewing a book – maybe that's why?

Anyway, in case my post doesn't reappear, I was trying to recommend Time Tangle, by France Eager.

drspouse · 15/05/2026 19:07

CraftyYankee · 15/05/2026 17:26

Doomsday Book by Connie Willis, not sure about the age rating for that though.

Definitely adult (also incredibly long!)

ASuitableName · 15/05/2026 19:09

My absolute favourite book at that age was A Traveller in Time by Alison Uttley, I read it several times

HelenaWilson · 15/05/2026 19:18

Doomsday Book by Connie Willis, not sure about the age rating for that though.
Definitely adult (also incredibly long!)

Also Connie Willis' history is dubious - unlike Jodi Taylor's, which is very good - at least when she's writing about a period I know something about. I'm not qualified to comment on Ancient Civilisations.

CatBusStop · 15/05/2026 20:11

Wow I never expected so many responses - thank you so much! On the off chance, does anyone know of any fiction for this age range set in either revolutionary/1700/1800s America or Georgian/Regency England?

OP posts:
Tellmetomorrow57 · 15/05/2026 20:17

I think the Lottie Project by Jacqueline Wilson has time travel both ways.

The mystory books are great historical fiction - they may have the eras you're interested in.

Would Little House on the Prairie work? (Apologies to any purists if I'm well out with dates 🤣)

CraftyYankee · 15/05/2026 21:36

The whole Little House on the Prairie series is very good, the first one is actually Little House in the Big Woods where they set off from Boston.

The book Fever 1793 is about the yellow fever epidemic in Philadelphia, very well written.

There's an entire series called "Dear America" aimed at YA which are diaries of girls during different points in American history. Not sure how easy they are to get in the UK but my daughters enjoyed them.

palominopreferred · 15/05/2026 22:32

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Robinsheugh-Swallow-Books-Eileen-Dunlop/dp/0862671949/

Robinsheugh is a lovely book. I read it in the 70s, there are a few paperbacks available.

parietal · 16/05/2026 09:00

The witch of blackbird pond is set in 1700s USA. No time travel though.

Aparecium · 16/05/2026 16:23

How about the Hornblower books? I read them as an adult, and have re-read them many times. TBH I skimmed most of the seamanship stuff on first reading, but found it fascinating on subsequent readings. They seemed to me to be extremely well-researched. My history knowledge is sketchy, but every time I learn something about the Regency period I find that I already knew a bit of it from the Hornblower books.

Aparecium · 16/05/2026 16:30

The memory of a book has been niggling me as a result this thread, and AI has just given me the title: The Far Arena, by Richard Ben Shapir. It is about a Roman legionary who is accidentally cryo-preserved, and then resuscitated in the 20th century. I was about 19 when I read it, so I can’t vouch for its suitability for a 12yo, but I don’t recall anything problematic.

Lisanne55 · 16/05/2026 16:51

Michael Morpurgo My Friend Walter?

For 1800s America - the What Katy did series

UnaOfStormhold · 16/05/2026 16:59

Diana Wynne Jones has a couple of excellent ones -' Tale of time city and The homeward bounders.

thetinsoldier · 16/05/2026 17:20

Caroline Lawrence’s Time Travel Diaries series
MA Bennett’s The Butterfly Club series - both brilliant

pashmina696 · 16/05/2026 17:26

Came on to se Caroline Lawrence time travel diaries but for the historical fiction look at Alex and Eliza by Melissa de la cruz - think it is a trilogy now.

anicecuppateaandayummyshortbreadbiscuit · 16/05/2026 17:37

The Time-Hunters series by Carl Ashmore is absolutely brilliant! Aimed at 9-13 year olds but I loved them and am much older. 😂 There are 10 books in this series so far plus a few other children's novels that he's written. Highly recommended! 💯

StinkerTroll · 16/05/2026 17:40

RaininSummer · 15/05/2026 18:12

Jody Taylor chronicles of st Mary's series is great. I think there is at least one where it's Tudors but they are all a good read.

Not for a child! There are some VERY fruity scenes involving a car bonnet!! (They are essentially a 15 rating)

Shithotlawyer · 16/05/2026 17:42

UnaOfStormhold · 16/05/2026 16:59

Diana Wynne Jones has a couple of excellent ones -' Tale of time city and The homeward bounders.

Archer's Goonis a very cool concept for a book too, though saying it is about time travel is something of a massive spoiler. Well worth a read though.

StinkerTroll · 16/05/2026 17:44

Try the Time Keys series by m.g. Leonard, also westfallen by ann and Ben brashares, a lot like the film frequency but for kids.

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