Uptime, Downtime

After wishing themselves away from an pleasant home situation, orphaned siblings Karyn and Mike are shocked to find themselves at Stonehenge in the Bronze Age. They soon realize that they're able to wish themselves back--and anywhere else they want to go in space and time. Karyn later discovers Jason, an orphan from the year 2152, and the threesome elect to find a place and time where they can live happily. In checking out the 1860 Missouri territory, they come across Karen, an abused seven-year-old who has wished herself away from 1902 England. Century-hopping Gwen, first encountered at Stonehenge, joins the others occasionally, taunting them for their ``safe'' choices in time travel. The group of orphans travels to dinosaur days and Mike alters history by stealing a tyrannosaurus egg. How the kids change it back makes for adventurous and thought-provoking reading. Peel, author of the Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? books and the adult Doctor Who series, creates an entertaining, believable mix of science fiction and historical fact. Readers can take heart that Peel has left the door open for more escapades in time. Ages 9-13. (June)