Review by Booklist Review
The black hole that appears in young Bertie Wells' bedroom is only a portent of threatened disasters to come as he's invited to the Everwhen School, a STEM winder's version of Hogwarts, where overachievers from ages past and future gather to play pranks, bully younger students, and invent mechanical, mathematical, or biological wonders. Falling in with such classmates as Millie Da Vinci, Leonardo's even more inventive little sister, and the two Raúls, who were one until an encounter with Schrödinger's cat, Bertie feels quite the underdog. Still, by the end of this opener, he has not only saved the school and the entire cosmos from a catastrophic time bomb but revealed his hidden talents by writing a story featuring, yes, "Morlocks" and a time machine. Along with glimpses of historical and prehistoric milestones as characters gad about the timestream, the author slips in both diverting local-news items and some belated bonding between Bertie and his depressive father in this briskly paced romp.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
After 12-year-old Herbert George "Bertie" Wells, who lives in 1878 London, accidentally creates a tiny black hole in his bedroom while working on a science experiment, he's awarded a scholarship to the century-spanning institution of the Everwhen School of Time Travel and Other Odd Sciences. Other new students include 12-year-old chemistry whiz Zoe Fuentes from 2025 Queens, whose brilliant ideas sometimes outrun her common sense, and 12-year-old inventor Amelia "Millie" da Vinci from 1471 Italy, who's sick of being overshadowed by her perfect older brother Leonardo. The trio contend with all manner of otherworldly oddities, scientific shenanigans, and extraordinary experiments as they acclimate to the school's unique curriculum and quirky inhabitants. But when they discover sinister plots involving a vindictive ghost, a missing headmaster, a temporal paradox, and the dreaded Doomsday Vault, they must save Everwhen--and time as they know it--from destruction. This frenetic and fanciful series-opening tale by Wheeler (Cursed) takes liberties with historical figures and events, often sacrificing logic for tongue-in-cheek humor. Via alternating perspectives, the intersectionally diverse protagonists face and embrace the chaos throughout their wildly inventive adventure. Ages 8--12. (Jan.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3--7--A creative riff on the magical school trope, mixing historical figures, time travel, and science for an inventive, if somewhat overwhelming, adventure. The story follows young Bertie Wells, a 19th-century science enthusiast; Zoe, a quirky, modern-day middle schooler; and Millie da Vinci, younger sister of Leonardo. All are outcasts in their own time--Bertie struggles against his father's disapproval, Zoe faces bullying isolation, and Millie pales in comparison to her brilliant brother. When they are invited to the College of Space Machines, Multiverses, and Other Odd Sciences (COSMOS), they join a time-twisting, thrilling world where science rules and no imagination is too wild. The book introduces readers to dazzling concepts like time-stream classes, interdimensional chemistry, and historical dormitories, populated by iconic scientists like Darwin and Galileo. While the worldbuilding is ambitious and inventive, the narrative leans heavily on pseudo-scientific jargon and whimsical inventions, which can feel exhausting and occasionally disorienting. The central plot--a school competition and a mysterious formula threatening chaos--requires attention, but readers may find the flood of fabricated terms difficult to track. Beneath the science-laden exterior, the characters' emotional journeys feels secondary and could have benefitted from greater depth. Moments of awe and surprise abound, yet moments of true vulnerability are sparse. VERDICT Without more emphasis on the characters' personal struggles and less on fantastical elements, this title does not fully deliver a rich emotional experience. Still, fans of cerebral adventures and time-traveling twists will find much to enjoy.--Lee De Groft
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Can 12-year-olds from different eras save their Time Machine school from destruction when a Time Bomb threatens the universe's Time Stream? Everwhen School recruits history's brightest students, including Herbert George "Bertie" Wells, an English boy who has a black hole in his bedroom in 1878; Amelia "Millie" da Vinci, an Italian girl who builds a flying machine in 1471; and the socially inept Zoe Fuentes, a Latine-presenting girl from Queens who creates sentient slime in 2025. While adapting to their excitingly bizarre school, the hapless Bertie struggles with imposter syndrome, Millie loathes comparisons to brother Leonardo, and genius Zoe forsakes friends to fulfill promises to her deceased mother. But when Everwhen's leader vanishes and the enigmatic Rose Gold demands access to the Doomsday Vault, the Time Stream is in danger--unless Bertie, Millie, and Zoe can overcome their fears, rebuild their broken friendships, and save the world. Earnest messages underpin this exuberant adventure, including valuing dreamers and inspiration and the necessity of making and learning from mistakes in science and friendships. The main characters are sympathetic and flawed, though the secondary characters remain more one-note. Though swiftly paced, the storyline occasionally pauses for comical interludes, including school memos, smoothie bar menus, and articles in the school paper. While the intricate plot may confuse some readers, they'll still gleefully hang on for the wild ride. This hilarious time-travel romp bursts with creativity and heartfelt messages.(Science fiction. 9-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
