Author Michael Buckley mentions on his website that he writes for reluctant readers and after reading Finn and the Time Traveling Pajamas it’s clearly true. This is book two of what I’m assuming is a trilogy and it is a really fun story. The three main characters–Finn, Lincoln and Julep–are humans charged with saving the world and you’ll be laughing as they meet hilariously random characters throughout the pages. Traveling to different time periods makes things even more interesting as the characters experience some perilous situations and are introduced to time-period specific jargon and trends. It was especially fun when they traveled to the future and saw how Buckley imagined it might be. Due to all the time traveling, we also get to see characters at different ages of their lives and are often left wondering if their questionable behavior is for their own benefit.

Having not read book one there were a few unclear references to things that occurred in the previous book, but it wasn’t that big of a deal. I’m sure it would be fun to start with the first book but you will still understand the plot if you don’t. This book ends by saying, “To be concluded” so that probably means there is one more book in the series to wrap up all the fun. We are left with a few cliffhangers so hopefully the next one comes out soon. Finn and the Time Traveling Pajamas  is highly recommended for reluctant readers or any middle-grade adventurer!

Review of a Digital Advance Reading Copy

This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language:  None

Note:  Six instances of OMG (just the acronym).

Violence/Gore:  Many (84) brief incidents mostly involving fantasy characters including character imagining or joking about getting hurt; verbal threats; threatening with weapons; reference to suicide; characters getting mildy hurt from training; many incidents of humans fighting fantasy characters; character running into wall and falling over repeatedly; several incidents of characters fighting resulting in little injury; character eating animals; characters attempting to destroy monster; fantasy characters getting killed; characters attempting to kill; characters accidentally cutting hands; storms and explosions destroying property.

Sex/Nudity:  Few (5) brief incidents including young boy liking young girl; kissing on the cheek; brief mention of girl proposing to girl; reference to male character telling another male character his feelings for him.

Mature Subject Matter:

Same-sex attraction; death of fantasy characters; father walks out on family; frequent theft but usually from good intentions; references to human and animal bodily functions. 

Alcohol / Drug Use:

None