Where would you travel to in time?

The Past Master

Written by: Patience Agbabi

Published by: Canongate

Published on: February 2024

Price: £7.99

First line: It’s New Year’s Eve 2051, the eve of the leap year 2025.

Age: 9+

Genre: Time travel, Science Fiction,  Hope, Family, Teamwork

Thanks to the Imagine Centre for the review copy: the full and comprehensive review can be found on their website.

What’s it all about? Elle is able to move easily throughout time, but can she stop the evil Millennia from destroying the Millenium by bending the past and the future, and becoming all-powerful? Only time will tell! 

With themes of friendship, hope, teamwork and family, this story hops around time like Michael J Fox on a pogo stick. 

Elle and her group of friends (called the Infinites) are enjoying learning about their own particular skills and the complex nature of time itself, from their teacher, Mrs C Echler, and through their own practical experiences. Meanwhile, they save the future by trying to stop Millennia (the antagonist) from enacting her plan to get herself born on the day of the Millenium, which will increase her powers. But, this is not her ultimate plan, only time, investigation, and research will reveal this as the plot thickens. So, the Infinites head off on their school’s work experience week. Luckily, Elle is going to work at the time library, where the banned books are, and these might give her a clue as to what might happen.

Why should I read it? I did really enjoy the main character, her thoughts, worries and passions really resonate. I especially enjoyed her journey to the library, where the adventure seems to leap forward and become exciting, before being slowed to a standstill again. Additionally, the relationship between the friends is very strong and a good model for children to read about. 

I think this book would be best placed in a school library for ages 10+ who are keen readers of the series already. These children would definitely want to get their hands on this book!