A Traveller in Time

Alison Uttley (author)

Puffin Books, UK; 286pp

ISBN: 0140309314

Genres: fantasy, historical fiction, romance

Issues: relationships, war

advanced concepts

Young Penelope is sent to her Aunt's farm, Thackers, in Derbyshire, to recover from an illness. Not long after she arrives, she begins to see unusual people around the farm. People who don't seem to be able to see her and who are dressed in clothes from a much earlier period.

Thus is Penelope introduced to the secret of Thackers, the tragic past of the Babington family. Penelope finds herself drifting between the two worlds, never quite knowing when she will open a door and find herself in the time of Mary, Queen of Scots and all the scandal and divided loyalties that her beauty and pride brought to England and Scotland. Knowing her history, Penelope tries to warn young Anthony Babington of the danger in which he puts himself as he strives to find a way to free the imprisoned Queen. As she cannot control the timing of her visits, or how she comes by her knowledge, it seems there is little that she can do, and she must watch as history unfolds itself before her eyes. The things she has read disinterestedly in books quickly become matters of life and death - and love.

This is a wonderful piece of writing with strong and interesting characters, and could well stimulate an early interest in English history.

Same Author: The Country Child; Stories for Christmas; Little Red Fox; Magic in My Pocket