Da Wild, Da Crazy, Da Vinci #14 (Time Warp Trio) - Hardcover

Multiple award-winning author Jon Scieszka grew up in Flint, Michigan, the second oldest and the nicest of six boys. Jon went to school at Culver Military Academy in Indiana where he was a Lieutenant; Albion College in Michigan where he studied to be a doctor; and Columbia University in New York, where he received an M.F.A. in fiction. He taught elementary school in New York for ten years in a variety of positions. He is the author of many books for children including the New York Times Best Illustrated Book The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales (illustrated by Lane Smith), the Caldecott Honor book The True Story of the Three Little Pigs (illustrated by Lane Smith), and Math Curse (illustrated by Lane Smith).  In addition to his work as an author, Jon also runs a web-based literacy program called Guys Read” that is designed to encourage boys, particularly reluctant readers, to get involved with books. In 2008, Jon was named the country’s first National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, a joint effort of the Library of Congress and the Children’s Book Council. During his two-year role as Ambassador, he acted as a spokesperson for children’s literature, speaking to groups of parents, teachers, and children to encourage the importance of reading. You can visit Jon online at www.jsworldwide.com.

Gr. 3-6. In the Time Warp Trio's fourteenth heart-pounding escapade, the three young Brooklyn friends set out to discover who invented the Book, the magic catalyst to their time-travel adventures. Their quest projects them to sixteenth-century Italy, where they meet Leonardo da Vinci, outwit Machiavelli, and learn something about famous inventors and their discoveries (the discussion of Thomas Crapper will be a particular hit). This adventure feels a bit less substantial than some of the others in the series, and a few of the specifics of the team's escapes may leave readers a bit confused. But the encounter with da Vinci, who is portrayed as a goofy practical joker, is thrilling, and as usual, the fast action and spot-on humor carry the plot. Illustrations, including new interpretations of da Vinci's work, were not available in galley. Gillian Engberg
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