Reading Metrics
Description
When twelve-year-old Peter is sent to Derbyshire for the weekend, he meets Kate and the two friends are accidentally transported back to 1763 England. They soon encounter Gideon, a reformed cutpurse who helps them navigate the dangers of the past. The kids must find a way back to their own time while surviving in an era far different from their own.
Quick Summary
Imagine being accidentally whisked back to 1763 and having to rely on a reformed cutpurse to survive that's exactly what happens to twelve-year-old Peter and his new friend Kate in Gideon the Cutpurse. The story mixes plenty of laugh-out-loud moments (especially Gideon's dry humor) with real tension, like a hair-raising chase by highwaymen that will keep younger readers on the edge of their seats. It's a perfect match for kids who love the time-travel fun of Magic Tree House but want something a bit longer and more detailed, and it's also a hit with reluctant readers who appreciate a fast-paced plot and short chapters. Parents will be glad to know the danger is mild mostly close calls and a few suspenseful scenes without any strong language or heavy themes. The book is packed with vivid historical details about everyday life in 18th-century England, from coaching inns to street markets, making it feel like an adventure that teaches as much as it entertains. If you enjoy this first installment, the series continues with more adventure, so you'll have plenty more to look forward to.