Time Sailors of Pizzolungo

Time-traveling kids terrorize the 15th century after a mysterious ship catapults them back to 1497 in an adventure that plays fast and loose with history while taking advantage of the era’s rich tradition of exploration and discovery. Even though sixth-grader Guillermo Infante Jr. and his friends are suddenly facing real-life pirates and meeting famous explorers like Vasco da Gama and Christopher Columbus, Guillermo just wants to get home to the small Sicilian town of Pizzolungo. When he acquires a treasure map, he sees an opportunity to dig up the riches and help solve his family’s financial woes. With the wind at his back and his friends at his side, Guillermo sails the Grande Infante across the deadly seas in search of fame and fortune, with surprises at every turn. First-time authors Abrams and Blockton craft an entertaining tale, full of colorful personalities, and if they take some liberties with historical representations and gloss over logistics (the modern protagonists have no trouble communicating with the people they meet in 1497, for instance), it’s all in good fun. Ages 7–12. (BookLife)