T J and the Time Stumblers: Yikes!!! by Bill Myers (Review)

Age Range: 8 and up

Paperback: 176 pages

Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.; Reprint edition (February 14, 2012)

ISBN-13: 978-1414334585

In an effort to find the last of the fuel ingredients for their time pod, 23rd-century goofballs Tuna and Herby transport themselves to Africa. Unfortunately, they also transport TJ Finkelstein and half of her 7th-grade science class, including TV star Hesper Breakahart and dreamy Chad Steel. In the jungle, the Time Stumblers' usual mayhem jumps to a new level as Herby is adopted by a mother gorilla, Tuna is transformed into an ostrich chick, and the students are taken in by an African tribe. When Hesper tries to escape by leaping into a raging river, TJ finds that it's time to begin showing the leadership qualities that Tuna and Herby claim she'll have someday as a world leader. Thanks to her, everyone makes it home safely, and the Time Stumblers fuel up their time pod, leaving with laughter, tears . . . and one last zany surprise for TJ.


My Review:

This was a good conclusion to the T J and the Time Stumblers series. This is book six and you can read it on its own but it makes more sense read in order. It is interesting and filled with action. There were many fun moments in the midst of the trouble they find themselves in. Tuna and Herby are almost done with TJ. She has one last lesson to learn. She learns it while figuring out a way for them to get home. She has to take charge, come up with the plan, and get everyone to follow it. I was sad to see this series end. Even though it is for the upper elementary crowd I still enjoyed reading about the adventures of TJ, Tuna, and Herby. Recommended.

TJ and the Time Stumblers: Switched! by Bill Myers (Review)

Age Range: 8 and up

Paperback: 176 pages

Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.; Reprint edition (February 14, 2012)

ISBN-13: 978-1414334578

Still on their quest to teach TJ Finkelstein the life lessons she'll need to be a great world leader, 23rd-century goofballs Tuna and Herby are brewing up even more trouble for the new kid in Malibu. As the boys try to repair their futuristic gadgets, a little glitch in their Thought Broadcaster Pen lands TJ in the body of her nemesis, TV star Hesper Breakahart . . . and vice versa. And the plot thickens when Tuna and Herby decide to put TJ's new look and superstar power to use. The time stumblers set up a concert for "Hesper" as a diversion while they sneak aboard a nuclear submarine and borrow a plutonium power pack--one of the items needed to fuel their time pod and get them out of TJ's life. Meanwhile, Tuna and Herby are hounded by their own nemesis, Bruce Bruiseabone, who's having a little trouble with forgiveness . . . a lesson that TJ realizes she might also need to learn as she walks a mile in Hesper's shoes--and body!


My Review:

This was another fun installment in the TJ and the Time Stumblers series. In this book TJ learns what it is like to walk a mile in someone else's shoes literally and the lesson of forgiving others. I was a little disturbed at Tuna and Herby sneaking aboard a military ship and stealing plutonium to fuel their time pod though. Otherwise I think it had the trademark fun and interesting characters.

TJ and the Time Stumblers: Ho Ho Noo! by Bill Myers (Review)

Age Range: 8 and up

Paperback: 176 pages

Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (August 25, 2011)

ISBN-13: 978-1414334561

Ho-Ho-NOOO! is all about TJ Finkelstein learning the real meaning of Christmas as she prepares for her future as a world leader with a little help from her 23rd-century goofball friends, Tuna and Herby. In a competition with her middle sister, TJ races to earn money so she can give it to her father as a Christmas present; he’s lost his job and the family is preparing to spend their first Christmas without their mom. Thanks to Tuna and Herby’s help at her job interview, where their futuristic gadgets expose the true motivation of each candidate, TJ lands a job at the mall—making kids smile for Santa and eventually playing (a much smaller) Santa herself. That job turns into a nanny gig for pop star Lady Goo-Goo’s spoiled and unattended kids. She also takes on a delivery job to help with dreamy Chad Steel’s plan to provide a hearty meal for the homeless on Christmas Eve . . . only to find herself delivering caviar cream puffs on the whim of TV star and classmate Hesper Breakahart. Despite all her work, her efforts to get money for Christmas backfire, but in the end TJ realizes Christmas is really about being with those she loves and sharing the love God has given through Christ.


My Review:

This was another cute installment in the TJ and the Time Stumblers series. In this one TJ has to learn the lesson of the real meaning of Christmas. She lives in a city that prizes possessions and looks. She learns that it does not matter how much money you have but your family and friends. There were several hilarious aspects. I loved Lady Goo Goo which is a spoof of Lady Ga Ga. Tuna and Herby had some more of their not so successful attempts to help TJ. I think chapter book readers of both genders will enjoy this series.

TJ and the Time Stumblers: OOPS! by Bill Myer (Review)

The mishaps never end as TJ’s “helpers” from the 23rd century—Tuna and Herby—continue to study TJ as she learns the valuable lessons she’ll need to become a future world leader. In Oops!, TJ learns the importance of speaking and thinking well of people even when they are difficult, thanks to the Thought Broadcaster Pen, which exposes the thoughts of everyone it hits. As usual, Tuna and Herby’s attempts to fix the pen only make things worse—now all of TJ’s thoughts become reality! As she fights not to return meanness to others (and to clean up the disasters her thoughts cause, like turning whiny TV star Hesper Breakahart into a giant baby), TJ learns from her dad a little more about how her mother handled things: She kept reminding herself that each of us is God’s creation. And no matter how mean people may be, we all need to be loved. The same message also unfolds through a side story of classmate Chad Steel learning to treat a mean boy better.


My Review:

This is the third book in the TJ and the Time Stumblers series. All of them so far can be read alone. The characters do grow in each book so it is worth starting at the beginning. The names of the characters are a little corny like Hesper Breakahart. Younger kids might find them funny if they catch the meaning behind them. I liked the theme for this book. It was to not think bad about people even when they are mean to us. To remember that God created us all equal and loves us is an important lesson. Recommended.

TJ and the Time Stumblers: AAAARGH! by Bill Myers (Review)

This six-book series centers around two 23rd century goofballs, Tuna and Herby, who travel back in time to study TJ Finkelstein for their history project. TJ will someday become a great leader who demonstrates honesty, integrity, thoughtfulness, self-sacrifice, respect for others—all traits she hones and grasps through her adventures in this series. Unfortunately, Tuna and Herby get stuck in TJ’s time (modern day), so she has to deal with their schemes while juggling the normal issues of a seventh grader who has moved to a new city, is trying to fit in, and is coping with her mother’s death and her family’s new life.

In AAAARGH!!!, Tuna and Herby try to help TJ with a book report by getting the author to write it for her, but all three of them quickly see the consequences of cheating spiral out of control. Meanwhile, TJ’s cute neighbor and classmate Chad Steel is getting ready for a big surfing competition—and learning his own lesson about honesty.


My Review:
This was another interesting installment in the TJ and the Time Stumblers series. This is the second book and could be read alone. The main message in this one is honesty and being truthful in all aspects of life. For TJ it was a book report that Tuna and Herby had the author of Treasure Island write for her. For Chad it was a surf board with extra powers. I did not like the scene in the beginning of the book where TJ stomped on the foot of a pirate and he said Argh and bleeps. This book should not have any cussing in it. It is meant for the 8 to 10 age group. Overall I liked it. Tuna and Herby bring out more interesting gadgets that never seem to work the way they are supposed too. Kids will find their antics funny. Recommended with caution.

TJ and the Time Stumblers: New Kid Catastrophes by Bill Myers (Review)

This six-book series centers around two 23rd century goofballs, Tuna and Herby, who travel back in time to study TJ Finkelstein for their history project. TJ will someday become a great leader who demonstrates honesty, integrity, thoughtfulness, self-sacrifice, respect for others—all traits she hones and grasps through her adventures in this series. Unfortunately, Tuna and Herby get stuck in TJ’s time (modern day), so she has to deal with their schemes while juggling the normal issues of a seventh grader who has moved to a new city, is trying to fit in, and is coping with her mother’s death and her family’s new life.

In New Kid Catastrophes, TJ accidentally makes an enemy of Hesper Breakahart, the superstar who attends their school. And Tuna and Herby’s attempts to help just lead to one disaster after another. In the end, TJ is still very unpopular, but she learns the value of looking past appearances and gains a few friends—and the attention of the most popular boy in school.


My Review:

This is book one in a new series targeted to Christian tweens although I think upper elementary would like it best. They are simple and easy to read. I am 30 so my opinion may be a little different from the age group. I thought the plot and characters were interesting. The writing was not as great though. That age might not notice. I did like the way it had a lesson in it. This book it was not to judge based on appearance. Simple yet interesting and funny at times recommended.