{"id":6441,"date":"2025-02-24T05:00:30","date_gmt":"2025-02-24T10:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.readbrightly.com\/?p=6441"},"modified":"2025-04-08T09:50:31","modified_gmt":"2025-04-08T13:50:31","slug":"time-traveling-chapter-books","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.readbrightly.com\/time-traveling-chapter-books\/","title":{"rendered":"Time-Traveling Chapter Books for Kids Who Love Magic Tree House"},"content":{"rendered":"

For a relatively brief, intensive period, my now 11-year-old was obsessed <\/em>with Mary Pope Osborne\u2019s Magic Tree House series<\/a>. He plowed through book after book, sometimes finishing one before we got home from the library. He couldn\u2019t get enough of the time-traveling adventures of siblings Jack and Annie until, finally, he caught up with Osborne\u2019s output at about book 50 (there are now even more installments in the series, <\/em>plus a series of nonfiction companion books called Fact Trackers<\/a>).<\/p>\n

It\u2019s clear why Magic Tree House is popular for kids new to chapter books. The series combines a soothing familiarity (same characters, same structure, some of the same phrasing in places) with the thrilling draw of time travel. What kid wouldn\u2019t love to zip back and forth through time, especially if their adventures could, like Jack and Annie\u2019s, always end safely back home? For young readers who\u2019ve soared through the entire Magic Tree House series like my son, here are a handful of chapter books and series that offer a fun-filled time-traveling escape:<\/p>\n

no no 9780593662281 Brandon and the Totally Troublesome Time Machine<\/i> by Seth Fishman, illustrated by Mark Fearing <\/p>\n

While this is a picture book, the theme and reading level make it appropriate for early chapter book readers. It\u2019s about a boy named Brandon who builds a time machine and explores world history, personal memories, and the possibilities of fixing old homework he didn\u2019t finish. But as the past and future collide, things get increasingly complex. The story combines humor and entertaining illustrations with a thought-provoking message about living in the moment. <\/p>\n

9780147510624 Just in Time, Abraham Lincoln<\/i> by Patricia Polacco <\/p>\n

On a class trip to the Civil War Museum, Michael and Derek walk through a door that transports them back in time. Now, the boys are in the middle of the actual Civil War, witnessing the events firsthand and meeting Abraham Lincoln. This fact-filled picture book is excellent for kids interested in American history and time travel.<\/p>\n

9781588345417 Secret Smithsonian Adventures Series by Chris Kientz and Steve Hockensmith, illustrated by Lee Nielsen <\/p>\n

The Wrong Wrights<\/i>, published by the Smithsonian Institute, will appeal to graphic novel devotees. In this first installment of the Secret Smithsonian Adventures series, kids in a museum (we said Smithsonian, right?!) take a trip back in time to help Orville and Wilbur Wright regain their proper place in history. Oh, and they learn quite a bit about aerodynamics and aviation in the process.<\/p>\n

9780763681869 Pigsticks and Harold Lost in Time!<\/i> by Alex Milway <\/p>\n

When Pigsticks swaps out his science fair project for his great-aunt Ada\u2019s time machine, he\u2019s unprepared for what happens next. One broken lever sends Pigsticks and Harold hurtling through time and space with no control over where or when they end up. This humorous chapter book will have young readers grinning as they visit times and places throughout history. <\/p>\n

9780744049978 Dinosaur Club Series by Rex Stone <\/p>\n

Dino-loving kids will enjoy this chapter book series<\/a> about the Dinosaur Club \u2014 a group of kids who time-travel to the Jurassic Period. Each book features a new adventure where readers learn about various dinosaurs, from the triceratops to the velociraptor. It\u2019s the perfect introduction to nonfiction for kids who prefer reading fiction. <\/p>\n

9780744063295 Timekeepers Series by SJ King, illustrated by Esther Hernando <\/p>\n

Introduce your growing reader to the Timekeepers<\/a>, a group of kids who stop a villain from ruining history\u2019s timeline. Using their magic wristwatches, the kids travel to various times and places, interrupting the villain\u2019s evil plots. From the invention of flight in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, to the World\u2019s Fair in Paris, France, young readers will learn about exciting and important events in world history.<\/p>\n

9781101998106 The Thrifty Guides Series by Jonathan W. Stokes <\/p>\n

Tweens can take a virtual vacation through time and space with this series of \u201ctravel guides\u201d by Jonathan W. Stokes. With fun illustrations and humor-filled text, these guides imagine what it would be like to travel around ancient Rome<\/a>, drop in on American Revolution<\/a>, or explore ancient Greece<\/a>.<\/p>\n

9780593479667 Max Meow Book 4: Taco Time Machine<\/i> by John Gallagher <\/p>\n

Tacos, time travel, and trouble collide in this hilarious graphic novel for Dog Man and Hilo fans. When Mindy\u2019s dad gets lost in time, she and Max set out to save him using his trusty taco time machine. But time travel is trickier than they expected, and soon Max has made a mess of everything. With his friendship with Mindy and the future of Kittyopolis on the line, Max must figure out how to find her dad and fix the time continuum. <\/p>\n

9780593120316 History Smashers Series by Kate Messner <\/p>\n

Although this series doesn\u2019t feature time travel, each book introduces young readers to an important historical event. Whether it\u2019s the Mayflower, women\u2019s right to vote, or the Salem Witch Trials, this popular nonfiction series<\/a> breaks down misconceptions about impactful events in history.<\/p>\n

9780679803713 The Time Machine<\/i> by H. G. Wells, illustrated by John Edens, adapted by Les Martin <\/p>\n

Most of the books on this list are about traveling to the past, but this chapter book adaptation of H. G. Wells\u2019s classic takes readers to the future. The simplified plot and black and white illustrations make the timeless masterpiece accessible to younger readers. Kids will love reading about the scientist who builds a time machine, travels to the distant future, and learns that the world is on a self-destruction course.<\/p>\n

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