Synopses & Reviews
A thrilling sequel to the instant New York Times bestseller Nick of Time, in which the young time traveler Nick McIver must prove his courage once more, on two fronts: in World War Twoera England, where Nazis have invaded his homeland, and in America during the Revolution, where Nick stands shoulder to shoulder with General George Washington
Its 1940 and the Nazis are invading Nicks beloved home, the British Channel Islands. So Nick takes to the skies: He has discovered an old World War One fighter plane in an abandoned barn. Determined to learn to fly, he is soon risking life and limb to photograph armed German minelayers and patrol boats, and executing incredibly perilous bombing raids over Nazi airfields by night.
Meanwhile, the evil pirate, Captain Billy Blood, still desperate to acquire Nicks time machine, returns to Greybeard Island. He kidnaps Nicks sister, Kate, and transports her back to Port Royal, Jamaica, in the year 1781, leaving Nick a message that if he wants to see her alive again, he must come to Jamaica and make an even swap: Kates life in exchange for Nicks wondrous time machinethats Bloods bargain.
Having traveled back in time, Nick discovers a plot that might change the outcome of the American Revolution. Disguised as an eighteenth-century cabin boy, he travels to the Caribbean and confronts his old enemy, who has assembled the worlds largest pirate armada.
From the battlefields of the New World to the brutal German occupation of English soil in World War Two, The Time Pirate has Nick McIver fighting once again to defend his country, the outcome of two wars resting on his young shoulders.
Ted Bell is the former Chairman of the Board and World-Wide Creative Director of Young & Rubicam, one of the worlds largest advertising agencies. He is the New York Times bestselling author of Hawke, Assassin, Pirate, Spy, and Tsar. His first novel for young adults, Nick of Time, was an instant New York Times bestseller.
Its 1940 and the Nazis are invading Nicks beloved home, the British Channel Islands. So Nick takes to the skies: He has discovered an old World War One fighter plane in an abandoned barn. Determined to learn to fly, he is soon risking life and limb to photograph armed German minelayers and patrol boats, and executing incredibly perilous bombing raids over Nazi airfields by night.
Meanwhile, the evil pirate, Captain Billy Blood, still desperate to acquire Nicks time machine, returns to Greybeard Island. He kidnaps Nicks sister, Kate, and transports her back to Port Royal, Jamaica, in the year 1781, leaving Nick a message that if he wants to see her alive again, he must come to Jamaica and make an even swap: Kates life in exchange for Nicks wondrous time machinethats Bloods bargain.
Having traveled back in time, Nick discovers a plot that might change the outcome of the American Revolution. Disguised as an eighteenth-century cabin boy, he travels to the Caribbean and confronts his old enemy, who has assembled the worlds largest pirate armada.
From the battlefields of the New World to the brutal German occupation of English soil in World War Two, The Time Pirate has Nick McIver fighting once again to defend his country, the outcome of two wars resting on his young shoulders.
"The Time Pirate is sure to please almost everyone, especially the guys. Ted Bell writes with a very classic style, right up there with Robert Louis Stevenson and Mark Twain. His adventurous imagination pulls readers into this spirited and deep, multilayered story . . . Fans will love this outstanding sequel to Nick of Time."TeenReads.com
"The time-warp tale is fast-paced, with enough twists and turns to have readers unable to put the book down as they try to figure out what happens next."Asbury Park Press
"Ted Bell's Nick of Time was an exciting romp through time and history that also examined what it takes to be a hero . . . The Time Pirate is another great read in an exciting seriesdon't miss it."BookLoons
"The hero of the Nick McIver Adventures Through Time series is back. Twelve-year-old Nick lives on Greybeard Island, the tiniest of the British Channel Islands. The story picks up soon after Nick of Time, during the summer of 1940. World War II is underway, France has fallen, and England is bracing for invasion. Nick and his friend Gunner refurbish Nick's father's World War I fighter plane. Nick learns to fly and undertakes an incredibly risky bombing raid on the Nazi Guernsey Island airfield. Meanwhile his younger sister Kate is kidnapped by the pirate Billy Blood and taken back to 1781 Port Royal, Jamaica. Archrivals Blood and Nick are in possession of the only two time travel machines, Leonardo da Vinci's Tempus Machina. While rescuing Kate, Nick learns of Blood's plan to attack a French fleet on its way to Yorktown to prevent the retreat of General Cornwallis. If Blood succeeds, the Battle of Yorktown will be lost, the Revolutionary War will be lost, and America will never exist. Without help from America, England will lose World War II. This adrenaline-rich story emphasizes courage, duty, and heroism. Nick relishes every chance for adventure, and readers will happily follow him into battle and his encounters with George Washington, the Marquis de Lafayette, and Winston Churchill."Angela Carstensen, VOYA
"This installment in the series finds 12-year-old Nick once again saving the world on several fronts. It's 1939, and he must defend his home, a small British island, against the looming Nazi invasion. But the Nazis are not his only enemies; using a time-travel device invented by da Vinci, he also battles 18th-century pirates who've kidnapped his sister. In a further wrinkle, the pirates, who are equipped with a time-travel device of their own, threaten to change the outcome of the American Revolution. Nick feels compelled to help General Washington and his troops, even though doing so makes him a traitor, because he knows that the support of the United States will become crucial to the Allies in World War II. Swashbuckling action sequences and scenes of derring-do abound."Hayden Bass, Seattle Public Library, Washington, School Library Journal
"Bound and determined to become a hero 'molded in the face of danger,' Nick stages a destructive raid on a Nazi airfield in 1940, then darts back to 1781 to rescue his kidnapped little sister from the clutches of hook-handed pirate Billy Blood in the Caribbean, recover from wounds at Mount Vernon ('What's wrong wid dat po' chile?' asks the estate's Cook, before stitching him up sans anesthetic) then rescuing De Grasse's French fleet from ambush off Nassau so it can sail north to ensure General Washington's victory at Yorktown. Laced with old-timey language, wild coincidences, arbitrarily trotted-out bit players from the Marquis de Lafayette and Winston Churchill to the odd strumpet or Indian warrior, lurid murders ('The dying victims' blood mingled with the juice from hundreds of crates of tomatoes') and explosions aplenty, this doorstopper sequel to Nick of Time may have a certain retro appeal to adrenaline junkies."Kirkus Reviews"Bell continues the heavily promoted Nick McIver Adventures through Time series with this sequel to Nick of Time, that begins in 1940. As the Channel Islands brace for the coming German invasion, 12-year-old Nicks sister is kidnapped by a time-traveling pirate, and Nicks pursuit turns the plot back to colonial America, where the Revolutionary War is brewing . . . [T]he breakneck pacing and wild plot will keep readers hanging on to the end."Lynn Rutan, Booklist
Praise for Nick of Time
Nick of Time is an American classic.”Glenn Beck
Nick of Time takes young readers on a thrilling historical voyage . . . definitely not for the faint of heart.”Los Angeles Times
Wow! Some books sweep you away. Nick of Time amazed me, dazzled me, and swept my imagination off to sea . . . Ive been craving an adventure story with a good mystery, and this arrived in the nick of time to rescue me.”School Library Journal
A blastthe best of Robert Louis Stevenson, Horatio Hornblower, and Harry Potter. The kid in me loved it, and so did the adult.”James Patterson, New York Times bestselling author of the Maximum Ride series
A brilliant adventure, hidden within a rolling saga, tucked inside an intriguing mystery. Thats Nick of Time. Ted Bell proves that hes the master of swashbuckling for both young and old.”Steve Berry, author of The Venetian Betrayal
If someone you love loves Harry Potter, Long John Silver, orIndiana Jones, this is the book for them!”Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Award 2009
Review
Praise for The Time Pirate:
"The Time Pirate is sure to please almost everyone, especially the guys. Ted Bell writes with a very classic style, right up there with Robert Louis Stevenson and Mark Twain. His adventurous imagination pulls readers into this spirited and deep, multilayered story.... Fans will love this outstanding sequel to Nick of Time." —TeenReads.com
“Swashbuckling action sequences and scenes of derring-do abound.” —School Library Journal
"The time-warp tale is fast-paced, with enough twists and turns to have readers unable to put the book down as they try to figure out what happens next." —Asbury Park Press
“The breakneck pacing and wild plot will keep readers hanging on to the end.” —Booklist "Ted Bell's Nick of Time was an exciting romp through time and history that also examined what it takes to be a hero. ... The Time Pirate is another great read in an exciting series - don't miss it." —BookLoons
Praise for Nick of Time
“Nick of Time is an American classic.” —Glenn Beck
“Nick of Time takes young readers on a thrilling historical voyage… definitely not for the faint of heart.”—Los Angeles Times
“Wow! Some books sweep you away. Nick of Time amazed me, dazzled me, and swept my imagination off to sea…. Ive been craving an adventure story with a good mystery, and this arrived in the ‘nick of time to rescue me.”—School Library Journal
“A blast—the best of Robert Louis Stevenson, Horatio Hornblower, and Harry Potter. The kid in me loved it, and so did the adult.”—James Patterson, New York Times bestselling author of the Maximum Ride series
“A brilliant adventure, hidden within a rolling saga, tucked inside an intriguing mystery. Thats Nick of Time. Ted Bell proves that hes the master of swashbuckling for both young and old.”—Steve Berry, author of The Venetian Betrayal
“If someone you love loves Harry Potter, Long John Silver, or Indiana Jones, this is the book for them!” —Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Award 2009
Review
“The Time Pirate is sure to please almost everyone, especially the guys. Ted Bell writes with a very classic style, right up there with Robert Louis Stevenson and Mark Twain. His adventurous imagination pulls readers into this spirited and deep, multilayered story. . . . Fans will love this outstanding sequel to Nick of Time.”—TeenReads.com “Swashbuckling action sequences and scenes of derring-do abound.”—School Library Journal “The time-warp tale is fast-paced, with enough twists and turns to have readers unable to put the book down as they try to figure out what happens next.”—Asbury Park Press “The breakneck pacing and wild plot will keep readers hanging on to the end.”—Booklist “Ted Bell's Nick of Time was an exciting romp through time and history that also examined what it takes to be a hero. . . . The Time Pirate is another great read in an exciting series—don't miss it.”—BookLoons
Review
"John Shea is quite wonderful narrating the further exploits of time-traveling teen Nick McIver...Shea seems to be enjoying himself as much as listeners will." -
AudioFile“Our family enjoys listening to a good audio book and we all enjoyed The Time Pirate… the story is entertaining for children and adults.” - Simcoe All Things Entertainment
Review
“The Time Pirate is sure to please almost everyone, especially the guys. Ted Bell writes with a very classic style, right up there with Robert Louis Stevenson and Mark Twain. His adventurous imagination pulls readers into this spirited and deep, multilayered story. . . . Fans will love this outstanding sequel to Nick of Time.”—TeenReads.com “Swashbuckling action sequences and scenes of derring-do abound.”—School Library Journal “The time-warp tale is fast-paced, with enough twists and turns to have readers unable to put the book down as they try to figure out what happens next.”—Asbury Park Press “The breakneck pacing and wild plot will keep readers hanging on to the end.”—Booklist “Ted Bell's Nick of Time was an exciting romp through time and history that also examined what it takes to be a hero. . . . The Time Pirate is another great read in an exciting series—don't miss it.”—BookLoons
Synopsis
In this sequel to the "New York Times" bestseller "Nick of Time," young Nick McIver must prove his courage once more, this time on two fronts: in 1940's England, where Nazis have invaded his home islands, and in America during the Revolution, where Nick stands with General George Washington.
Synopsis
A thrilling sequel to the Ted Bell's New York Times bestseller Nick of Time, in which the young time traveler Nick McIver must prove his courage once more, on two fronts: in World War Two-era England, where Nazis have invaded his homeland, and in America during the Revolution, where Nick stands shoulder to shoulder with General George Washington
Its 1940 and the Nazis are invading Nicks beloved home, the British Channel Islands. So Nick takes to the skies: He has discovered an old World War One fighter plane in an abandoned barn. Determined to learn to fly, he is soon risking life and limb to photograph armed German minelayers and patrol boats, and executing incredibly perilous bombing raids over Nazi airfields by night.
Meanwhile, the evil pirate, Captain Billy Blood, still desperate to acquire Nicks time machine, returns to Greybeard Island. He kidnaps Nicks sister, Kate, and transports her back to Port Royal, Jamaica, in the year 1781, leaving Nick a message that if he wants to see her alive again, he must come to Jamaica and make an even swap: Kates life in exchange for Nicks wondrous time machine—thats Bloods bargain.
Having traveled back in time, Nick discovers a plot that might change the outcome of the American Revolution. Disguised as an eighteenth-century cabin boy, he travels to the Caribbean and confronts his old enemy, who has assembled the worlds largest pirate armada.
From the battlefields of the New World to the brutal German occupation of English soil in World War Two, The Time Pirate has Nick McIver fighting once again to defend his country, the outcome of two wars resting on his young shoulders.
Synopsis
A thrilling sequel to the instant New York Times bestseller Nick of Time, in which the young time traveler Nick McIver must prove his courage once more, on two fronts: in World War Two-era England, where Nazis have invaded his homeland, and in America during the Revolution, where Nick stands shoulder to shoulder with General George Washington
It's 1940 and the Nazis are invading Nick's beloved home, the British Channel Islands. So Nick takes to the skies: He has discovered an old World War One fighter plane in an abandoned barn. Determined to learn to fly, he is soon risking life and limb to photograph armed German minelayers and patrol boats, and executing incredibly perilous bombing raids over Nazi airfields by night.
Meanwhile, the evil pirate, Captain Billy Blood, still desperate to acquire Nick's time machine, returns to Greybeard Island. He kidnaps Nick's sister, Kate, and transports her back to Port Royal, Jamaica, in the year 1781, leaving Nick a message that if he wants to see her alive again, he must come to Jamaica and make an even swap: Kate's life in exchange for Nick's wondrous time machine--that's Blood's bargain.
Having traveled back in time, Nick discovers a plot that might change the outcome of the American Revolution. Disguised as an eighteenth-century cabin boy, he travels to the Caribbean and confronts his old enemy, who has assembled the world's largest pirate armada.
From the battlefields of the New World to the brutal German occupation of English soil in World War Two, The Time Pirate has Nick McIver fighting once again to defend his country, the outcome of two wars resting on his young shoulders.
Ted Bell is the former Chairman of the Board and World-Wide Creative Director of Young & Rubicam, one of the world's largest advertising agencies. He is the New York Times bestselling author of Hawke, Assassin, Pirate, Spy, and Tsar. His first novel for young adults, Nick of Time, was an instant New York Times bestseller.
It's 1940 and the Nazis are invading Nick's beloved home, the British Channel Islands. So Nick takes to the skies: He has discovered an old World War One fighter plane in an abandoned barn. Determined to learn to fly, he is soon risking life and limb to photograph armed German minelayers and patrol boats, and executing incredibly perilous bombing raids over Nazi airfields by night.
Meanwhile, the evil pirate, Captain Billy Blood, still desperate to acquire Nick's time machine, returns to Greybeard Island. He kidnaps Nick's sister, Kate, and transports her back to Port Royal, Jamaica, in the year 1781, leaving Nick a message that if he wants to see her alive again, he must come to Jamaica and make an even swap: Kate's life in exchange for Nick's wondrous time machine--that's Blood's bargain.
Having traveled back in time, Nick discovers a plot that might change the outcome of the American Revolution. Disguised as an eighteenth-century cabin boy, he travels to the Caribbean and confronts his old enemy, who has assembled the world's largest pirate armada.
From the battlefields of the New World to the brutal German occupation of English soil in World War Two, The Time Pirate has Nick McIver fighting once again to defend his country, the outcome of two wars resting on his young shoulders.
The Time Pirate is sure to please almost everyone, especially the guys. Ted Bell writes with a very classic style, right up there with Robert Louis Stevenson and Mark Twain. His adventurous imagination pulls readers into this spirited and deep, multilayered story . . . Fans will love this outstanding sequel to Nick of Time.--TeenReads.com
The time-warp tale is fast-paced, with enough twists and turns to have readers unable to put the book down as they try to figure out what happens next.--Asbury Park Press
Ted Bell's Nick of Time was an exciting romp through time and history that also examined what it takes to be a hero . . . The Time Pirate is another great read in an exciting series--don't miss it.--BookLoons
The hero of the Nick McIver Adventures Through Time series is back. Twelve-year-old Nick lives on Greybeard Island, the tiniest of the British Channel Islands. The story picks up soon after Nick of Time, during the summer of 1940. World War II is underway, France has fallen, and England is bracing for invasion. Nick and his friend Gunner refurbish Nick's father's World War I fighter plane. Nick learns to fly and undertakes an incredibly risky bombing raid on the Nazi Guernsey Island airfield. Meanwhile his younger sister Kate is kidnapped by the pirate Billy Blood and taken back to 1781 Port Royal, Jamaica. Archrivals Blood and Nick are in possession of the only two time travel machines, Leonardo da Vinci's Tempus Machina. While rescuing Kate, Nick learns of Blood's plan to attack a French fleet on its way to Yorktown to prevent the retreat of General Cornwallis. If Blood succeeds, the Battle of Yorktown will be lost, the Revolutionary War will be lost, and America will never exist. Without help from America, England will lose World War II. This adrenaline-rich story emphasizes courage, duty, and heroism. Nick relishes every chance for adventure, and readers will happily follow him into battle and his encounters with George Washington, the Marquis de Lafayette, and Winston Churchill.--Angela Carstensen, VOYA
This installment in the series finds 12-year-old Nick once again saving the world on several fronts. It's 1939, and he must defend his home, a small British island, against the looming Nazi invasion. But the Nazis are not his only enemies; using a time-travel device invented by da Vinci, he also battles 18th-century pirates who've kidnapped his sister. In a further wrinkle, the pirates, who are equipped with a time-travel device of their own, threaten to change the outcome of the American Revolution. Nick feels compelled to help General Washington and his troops, even thou
Synopsis
In this thrilling sequel to Nick of Time, time traveler Nick McIver must prove his courage in WWII-era England and in America during the Revolution.
Synopsis
In this thrilling sequel to the New York Times bestseller Nick of Time, time-traveler Nick McIver must prove his courage in America alongside General George Washington.
Synopsis
A thrilling sequel to the instant New York Times bestseller Nick of Time, in which the young time traveler Nick McIver must prove his courage once more, on two fronts: in World War Two-era England, where Nazis have invaded his homeland, and in America during the Revolution, where Nick stands shoulder to shoulder with General George WashingtonIts 1940 and the Nazis are invading Nicks beloved home, the British Channel Islands. So Nick takes to the skies: He has discovered an old World War One fighter plane in an abandoned barn. Determined to learn to fly, he is soon risking life and limb to photograph armed German minelayers and patrol boats, and executing incredibly perilous bombing raids over Nazi airfields by night.
Meanwhile, the evil pirate, Captain Billy Blood, still desperate to acquire Nicks time machine, returns to Greybeard Island. He kidnaps Nicks sister, Kate, and transports her back to Port Royal, Jamaica, in the year 1781, leaving Nick a message that if he wants to see her alive again, he must come to Jamaica and make an even swap: Kates life in exchange for Nicks wondrous time machine—thats Bloods bargain.
Having traveled back in time, Nick discovers a plot that might change the outcome of the American Revolution. Disguised as an eighteenth-century cabin boy, he travels to the Caribbean and confronts his old enemy, who has assembled the worlds largest pirate armada.
From the battlefields of the New World to the brutal German occupation of English soil in World War Two, The Time Pirate has Nick McIver fighting once again to defend his country, the outcome of two wars resting on his young shoulders.
About the Author
Ted Bell is the New York Times bestselling author of Nick of Time and The Time Pirate, as well as the bestselling Alexander Hawke series. For many years he was a leading talent in advertising, and won numerous Clios and Cannes Gold Lions and the Cannes Grand Prix. He began his advertising career as a copy-writer at Doyle Dane Bernbach in the 1970s. In 1991, he joined Young&Rubicam, one of the world's largest advertising agencies, as Vice-Chairman of the board and World-Wide Creative Director. Bell retired from advertising in 2001 to write full-time. He lives in Florida and Colorado.
Reading Group Guide
Discussion Guide for TIME PIRATE by Ted Bell 1. The Time Pirate falls under several genres: it combines elements of historical fiction, science fiction and fantasy. Name some books you know in each of those genre categories. 2. Nick travels through time to two different wars: the American Revolution and World War II. What event must Nick stop to save his own country during World War II? And why does stopping this event make Nick feel like a traitor? 3. Nick has a number of dangerous encounters. What does his father know about his adventures? His mother? 4. Nicks parents are taken from their home by the Germans. How does removing them from the setting aid Bell in describing Nick and Kates adventure? 5. Nick has a dream in which he is riding in a Whirl-o-drome, an aircraft carnival ride. Why do you think Nick has this dream? Is it symbolic of anything and, if so, what? 6. Nick takes his sister into the Dark Forest, where they locate their fathers World War I Sopwith Camel fighter biplane in an old barn. Together, he and his friend Gunner, restore the old plane. Describe Nicks friendship with Gunner. Why does Nick want to restore the plane? 7. Nicks sister Kate is kidnapped by Captain Blood and taken back in time to the 18th century. Why does Blood kidnap Kate? What important information does she discover and how does this change the rest of the novel? 8. In this novel, Captain Billy Blood represents evil. The readers get this impression from what others say about him, how the narrator describes him, and through Bloods own words. Give least one example of each. Then, describe Blood in one sentence in your own words. 9. Billy Blood is gathering the worlds largest pirate armada. Why does he do this and what does he hope to do with this large pirate fleet? 10. Motifs are themes, symbols, and images that reoccur in a work. What pirate motifs and World War II motifs can you find in the story? How do they contribute to the setting or the overall feel of reading the novel? 11. Describe Nick and Kates relationship. In what ways are they alike? How are they different? How do their personalities clash or complement one another? 12. Most adults in the novel come to trust, admire and respect Nick very quickly. Did you find this realistic? Please give some specifics reasons you feel this way. 13. Part of the fun of reading The Time Pirate is figuring out which parts of the story are based on actual historic events versus those where the author is taking “poetic license”, i.e. making things up. Find a favorite scene and explain how Ted Bell stays true to history and/or takes liberty with the truth.