Both Sides of Time
#1 in Time Travelers Series
on Goodreads (4,202)
What’s inside...
Imagine changing centuries--and making things worse, not better, on both sides of time. Imagine being involved in two love triangles in two different centuries. What if, no matter which direction you travel in time, you must abandon someone you love? Meet 15-year-old Annie Lockwood, a romantic living in the wrong century. When she travels back a hundred years and lands in 1895--a time when privileged young ladies wear magnificent gowns, attend elegant parties, and are courted by handsome gentlemen--Annie at last finds romance. But she is a trespasser in time. Will she choose to stay in the past? Will she be allowed to?
Discussion points
How do you think Annie felt when she traveled back in time, and how would you feel in her place?
What are some differences and similarities you noticed between Annie's life in her present and in the 19th century?
Why is it important to understand and respect people from different time periods or cultures?
What lessons do you think Annie learned from her experiences in the past, and how can they apply to your life today?
If you had the chance to meet someone from the past, who would it be and what would you ask them?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to compare their daily life with Annie’s life in both her present and the past, fostering a deeper understanding of historical and cultural differences.
Discuss the concept of time travel and ask your child where they would go if they had the opportunity, using this as a way to explore their interests in history or future aspirations.
Highlight the moral and ethical questions raised in the book, such as the impact of one’s actions on others across time, to nurture critical thinking.
Use Annie’s adventures to discuss the importance of courage and resilience in unfamiliar situations, relating it to personal experiences your child might face.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding the impact of actions across different times
Explanation: In 'Both Sides of Time', the protagonist, Annie Lockwood, travels back in time and sees how actions in one era can affect the future. This is demonstrated as she navigates through complex social dynamics of the 1890s and sees the consequences of those interactions in her present time.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to consider the long-term effects of their decisions and understand how their actions can influence not only their immediate surroundings but also the future.
Example Lesson: Empathy and cultural sensitivity
Explanation: Annie’s journey to the past exposes her to different customs and social norms, teaching her to empathize with people from different times and backgrounds.
Real-World Application: This lesson can encourage children to be open to understanding and valuing diverse perspectives and cultures, promoting inclusivity and empathy in their daily interactions.
Example Lesson: The importance of personal integrity
Explanation: Annie faces several moral dilemmas in the 1890s, where she must choose between easy options or doing what is right, demonstrating the importance of integrity.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand the value of honesty and making ethical choices even when faced with challenges.
Example Lesson: Learning from history to improve the future
Explanation: As Annie learns more about the people and the socio-economic conditions of the 1890s, she begins to see parallels with her own time and thinks about how understanding history can lead to better future decisions.
Real-World Application: This lesson emphasizes the importance of historical knowledge in shaping a better present and future, encouraging children to be curious about history and its lessons.
Example Lesson: Resilience through challenges
Explanation: Annie's adventures require her to adapt and find courage in unfamiliar and sometimes difficult situations, showcasing her resilience.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to remain resilient and adaptable when facing new challenges or changes in their own lives.