Glitch

Gr 4-6–Regan and Elliot have been trained since birth to be Glitchers—time travelers who protect the past from Butterflies, the criminals who meddle in history. Regan and Elliot can’t stand each other, but when they find a note from a future Regan that instructs them to travel back in time to prevent a disaster, they become not only teammates, but Butterflies themselves. It’s refreshing to see a book that so effortlessly combines history and science fiction, maintaining the energy of a sci-fi adventure and the complexity of historical fiction. The fast-paced plot features plucky, well-developed characters, and first-person narration switches between Regan and Elliot, which works due to each character’s strong voice. Martin’s rules of time travel are simple enough for younger readers to follow, and the historical settings are comprehensive and thorough. Characters’ discussions about the events they travel through provide context for readers.