The Timekeepers: First Flight

The Timekeepers #1

by S.J. King

Tag along with the Timekeepers in these history-themed adventure stories to discover amazing people and events that shaped our world.

Tag along with the Timekeepers in these history-themed adventure stories for 7 to 9 years olds that will help readers discover the amazing people and events that shaped our world. With a collection of adventures that span all of history, The Timekeepers series is perfect for any adventure lover.

Meet the Timekeepers, a secret organization of kids who keep the course of history on track – and history needs them! A villain called DeLay is set on causing chaos. When the hands on their special watches start to spin backwards, the Timekeepers know that DeLay has been up to no good, and it’s up to them to put things right. 

This children’s chapter book series

- An introduction to history in a way that blends a fun story with real facts, and also includes a non-fiction section with additional information such as, timelines, quizzes, and a glossary.
- Beautifully illustrated art accompanied by expertly written text.
- An insight into different historical time periods, carries the theme of persistence through adversity, and shows the connection between the past and the present.

In this adventure, The Timekeepers are whirled back in time to 1903 in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. An exhausted Orville and Wilbur Wright are desperately trying to fix their airplane. Their initial tests had been so promising, but all of a sudden the Wright Flyer’s propeller has gone missing! The Timekeepers realize it’s been stolen by villainous DeLay, and only they can help save the day and put history back on track.

More in the series

At DK, we believe in the power of discovery.

So why stop there? 

If you like The First Flight , then you’ll love other titles in the series. Why not check out the second title in the series, The Ancient Olympics to learn about the first-ever Olympic Games?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Childrens, Fiction, Fantasy

128 pages, Paperback

Published September 5, 2023

Reviews

[Ben Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fantastic children’s chapter book or early reader takes you back in time to 1903 and the first flight in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. There, the gang meets up with Orville and Wilbur Wright, who are trying to fix their airplane after their propellor mysteriously goes missing…

Not only does this book educate children about important events in history, but it does it in an entertaining way, and the book itself is packed with illustrations to keep younger readers entertained.

I loved the idea behind the book, the way the author brought it to life for young readers, and the illustrations liberally placed throughout the book.

I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is basically the history version of The Secret Explorers series (also by SJ King and published by DK): Diverse group of kids, each with a different talent, come together as part of a "secret club" (this time, they meet at the History Hub) and two children per book are chosen to go on an expedition to fx a problem. (Yes, it's a bit like Magic Tree House, only with more kids, more diversity, and better writing, IMO). You really have to suspend belief (especially with the time travel here!) but they're entertaining and I actually think the writing is better than most in this area and rises above the formula (example below). Don't expect great depths of characterization, and I sometimes feel the reason certain kids are chosen are are fairly flimsy, but it's a fun way to get kids involved in the subject.
In this series, the sidekick isn't a cool old go-kart that morphs into whatever vehicle is required of the mission (like in Secret Explorers) but a (very annoying, IMO) bird that comes to life off a cuckoo clock (if I had $1 for every time that thing said "cuckoo"...!) so that's a bit less exciting in my mind. However, we do have a genuine villain in this series who tries to interfere with time and sabotage events in history. His name is DeLay (get it!?) This time, he's trying to steal the propeller from the Wright Flyer. Of course, to increase the drama, the kids believe if this happens then the Wright Brothers will abandon their attempts at powered flight, and then no one will ever invent the airplane and the future will be ruined. I'm a bit of a spoil sport, I guess, but I don't really buy that -- maybe Wilbur and Orville wouldn't have been daunted, or probably someone else would have come up with it (maybe Alberto Santos Dumont, whom the Brazilians believe beat the Wright Bros to it, anyway), but ah, well, it makes for more drama to suppose absolutely all would be lost if DeLay succeeded ;-)
I appreciate that this book highlights the contributions that Katharine Wright (their younger sister) made in keeping the family bicycle business running and and acting as the main contact for the brothers' business dealings and organizing media events around their flights.
My kids both really enjoyed it and we look forward to more in the series.

Excerpt:
"Word spread thorough the small settlement of Kitty Hawk that the Wright brothers were making another attempt to fly their machine down the beach. As the sound of hammering filled the hangar, with Orville and Wilbur reattaching the propeller and Yasmin and Min-Jun helping with a few last-minute adjustments to the flyer, people started drifting into view. Some came in groups. One or two came alone. Straw hats flapped in the strong winter breeze. Scarves flew like woolen flags around people's necks, and skirts whipped and snapped around the women's legs. There was a sense of anticipation in the air."

[Jenna Stensland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical Fiction for my second grader! I am so excited to see one of my favorite genres for him. The story was packed with information but also well written and interesting. We both enjoyed learning more about the first flight through the eyes of Yasmin and her fellow Timekeepers! The villain adds an interesting element but isn't scary or intense in a way that would upset more sensitive readers. One portion I really liked was the Timekeeper journal. Often books put facts at the end like this but the format changes and its 50/50 if my kids will want to read it. Timekeepers keeps the same format and integrates it into the premise in a way that my kid just kept reading with me unaware that we were looking at a factsheet. There is also a quiz that you could use to check comprehension and a glossary as apart of the book. A great early chapter book. This interesting premise has the potential to be a long series the likes of the Magic Treehouse series but with a beautifully diverse cast and current references. We will be keeping an eye on these and looking for more.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an review this chapter book.

[Michael & Photini Holverson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good introduction into the historical fiction genre for young readers. While I would have liked a more fleshed-out origin story in the first book for the Timekeeper “system” itself and how the characters became members, it was a preference only the adult reader sought, for the children took no notice and enjoyed the book from cover to cover. My rating may improve upon reading successive books in the series, but ultimately I feel youth series like the Magic Treehouse do historical fiction with a little less clunky storytelling. - M

This book was read aloud to children ages 5 and 7. The story worked well for that age group. I would recommend.

[Bozhena Levine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you DK and Penguin Random House for the advanced review copy of this great book. This double feature volume is a great start to a new series for 2nd-3rd graders about time traveling group of kids making sure that historical events proceed as they should. Volume 1 focuses on the first flight of the Wright brothers. A chapter book format, great, diverse set of characters, fast-paced plot, & plenty of action would appeal to the intended audience. Looking forward to sharing it with my students.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that easily blends educational historical information with a fun story. The characters were good natured kids who just wanted to make sure the bad guy Delay didn't ruin events in the past. I just wished there was some explanation on how these kids became timekeepers and how they even met Delay. As well as what his overall reasons are for what he does. I hope future iterations in the series will give more of a background. I can see this series as being a nice, simple way to introduce kids to events in history. I loved that there was the timekeepers journal in the back that helped summarize the facts. There was even a quiz as well.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice early chapter book for the young reader. It combines historical facts (specifically the Wright Brothers’ first flight) with fantasy and adventure and a diverse group of young kids travel back in time to prevent villain DeLay from changing history. Sometimes the story feels a bit clunky and DeLay’s backstory and motives are underdeveloped but it still is an entertaining read to share with my 6yo.

[Jill · Rating 2 out of 5]

The is exactly like the Secret Explorers series except that the kids have time travelling watches rather than glowing badges. If your kids love the Secret Explorers and can’t get enough of them, they will probably love this - same formula, just different cast of characters. I took one star off because the addition of a maniacal and not very devious villain De Lay (lame pun) didn’t do it for me

[Rachel Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this ahead of letting my 6 year old. It was a fairly easy read which is good for her. It jumped into the story without a lot of preamble about the characters or villain. It was historical fact focused which was nice. It didn't try to interject modern things thankfully. The characters were conscious that they traveled back in time so they didn't harm history or try to change it.

[Kat Ice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! I loved how grounded in facts it was as well as how much plot there was! It was great seeing so many different people come together. Such a great series and I’m excited to read the next one!

[Dana Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Timekeepers First Flight was a great story about the Wright brothers first flights and how they learned to fly. I think children would find the story interesting.

[Becky Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great introductory historical fiction for kids - especially loved the diversity of the characters and their interests: art, technology, music, fashion, poetry and more.

[Katie & Alfie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good book. I love that it's fiction based on fact. Fun but you're actually learning about real stuff too. I'm really excited for the next one.
AJH - 10 years.

[PottWab Regional Library]

SM

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was excited about this series - historical fiction! - but this was really disappointing. I guess the author wanted to dive right into the problem vs doing enough world/character building - like how are these Timekeeper kids connected, where did DeLay come from, is there an adult helping the Timekeepers, etc. Not good enough to suspend reality! Skipping.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book for young readers. Not only an interesting story, it's very education. At the end, there are questions and vocabulary for them.