The Accidental Time Traveller
#1 in The Accidental Time Traveller Series
on Goodreads (210)
What’s inside...
Winner of the Scottish Children's Book Award 2013 Younger Readers (8-11 years) category, this story follows Saul on an ordinary day as he heads to the corner shop, only to encounter a girl named Agatha Black who suddenly appears in the middle of the road. Agatha, who is from 1812 and unfamiliar with modern traffic and shops, needs Saul's help to return to her time. Together with his friends Will and Robbie, Saul embarks on a time-traveling adventure full of funny misunderstandings and gripping action, as they try to figure out how to make time travel possible. This pacy adventure, written by Janis Mackay, the author of the Magnus Fin series, captivates readers with its engaging plot.
Character compass
Saul
Toby
Harriet
Agatha Black
Discussion points
If you could travel to any time period, where would you go and why?
What do you think you would learn from the experiences of the characters in the book?
How do you think Saul handled the challenges he faced during his time travels?
What would you do if you met someone from a different time period?
How do the friendships in the book change or grow because of the time travelling adventures?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use imaginative prompts to make the discussion more interactive, such as asking your child to draw a scene from a different time period mentioned in the book.
Connect the story to real-life by discussing any personal family histories or events from different time periods.
Encourage your child to express their thoughts on how they would feel and react in situations similar to those faced by Saul, fostering empathy and critical thinking.
Discuss the moral and ethical aspects of the story, such as the responsibilities that come with having knowledge about the future or past.
Reinforce the value of friendship and teamwork as depicted in the story through shared reading time or related activities.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: In 'The Accidental Time Traveller', the protagonist Saul learns to understand and empathize with Agatha, a girl from the past, despite their differences in time and culture.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate and respect people from different backgrounds and perspectives, fostering a more inclusive attitude.
Example Lesson: Courage and adventure
Explanation: Saul shows courage when he decides to help Agatha, even though it involves time travel and unknown challenges.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to be brave and curious about exploring new experiences and learning from them.
Example Lesson: Responsibility and problem-solving
Explanation: Throughout the book, Saul takes responsibility for helping Agatha and has to solve various problems that arise during their adventures.
Real-World Application: This highlights the importance of taking responsibility for one's actions and using critical thinking to solve problems in everyday life.
Example Lesson: The value of friendship
Explanation: The friendship that develops between Saul and Agatha shows the importance of trust and cooperation.
Real-World Application: It teaches children the significance of forming meaningful relationships and working together towards common goals.
Example Lesson: History and learning from the past
Explanation: As Saul travels back in time, he learns about historical events and figures, which helps him understand the modern world better.
Real-World Application: This can motivate children to explore history and learn lessons from the past to better understand their present and influence the future.