If you could go back in time, when and where would you go? This is the question that inventor/scientist/billionaire Miss Z poses to a group of four handpicked 12-year-olds in Flashback Four: The Lincoln Project. Prolific writer Dan Gutman’s new middle-grade series introduces the time-traveling Flashback Four, and in their first adventure, they’re headed to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in 1863.
The time-travel machine is an ingeniously modified white board, like those found in classrooms across the country. Once the children are convinced that Miss Z is the real deal, they receive their mission: They must take a picture of President Lincoln giving the Gettysburg Address. Because his speech was so short, photographers didn’t have enough time to get a picture, so none exists of this historic event. While their task sounds easy enough after being coached in the manners and speech of the era, all does not go according to plan. A series of unforeseen events keeps the tension high, and the ending tantalizes. Gutman includes helpful asides that expand on interesting historical facts.
This article was originally published in the March 2016 issue of BookPage. Download the entire issue for the Kindle or Nook.
