Julius and the Watchmaker

When readers meet Julius Caesar Higgins, a 14-year-old boy living in Victorian London, he's on the run from bully Crimper McCready and frustrated by his inability to stand up for himself. Julius's grandfather, who owns an antiquarian bookstore, has two clients interested in the same journal by a famous watchmaker, and Julius gives the book to one of the men, Springheel, in exchange for temporary lodging and respite from his tormentors. Yet the journal holds the key for Springheel to open a vortex in time, unleashing dangerous forces from "parallel vibration fields" into Victorian London. The other interested book buyer, the Professor, enlists Julius to try and stop Springheel by using a magic watch to pass through the vortex and close the portal. First-time novelist Hehir skillfully develops a shadowy London backdrop, with clear allusions to Dickens, while drawing steampunk elements into the story. Readers may be as confused as Julius is over the machinations behind the time travel, but should still find it easy to get swept up in his rapid-fire adventures. Ages 11%E2%80%9313. (Oct.)