2095 (Time Warp Trio)



Last updated Thursday, January 3, 2008

Author: Jon Scieszka
Illustrator: Lane Smith
Date of Publication: 2004
ISBN: 0142400440
Grade Level: 5th    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Jan. 2008

Synopsis: From Booklist The Time Warp Trio is back - to the future this time. Joe, Fred, and Sam travel to the year 2095, again courtesy of Uncle Joe's magic book. Launching their trip from the 1920s room in the Natural History Museum, the boys arrive in the future's museum, where they see the 1990s showcased in an exhibit of the past. Such ironies of time travel abound as the three encounter their great-grandchildren, who rightly strive to return their ancestors to the past. Scieszka writes with a kid's perspective at all times, blending a warp-speed pace with humor that ranges from brainy riddles to low brow upchuck jokes.

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  What do you think the machine in the picture is?
•  What do you think 2095 stands for? A year? Someone's phone number? (Hint: The Time Warp Trio is the caption on top)
•  When do you think this story is going to take place?

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  What is your favorite museum? What do you like to see at museums?
•  Do you think time travel is possible?
•  Who would you want to see if you go into the future? Into the past?
•  How do you think your neighborhood/city will look 100 years from now? Will we have flying cars? Will people be eating the same things? Speak the same language?
•  Do you really think that there will be no more books in the future? Would you like that or not?
•  What do you think a Sellbot is? Have you ever heard of a Fishwich?
•  Why would there be three girls who look like the main characters in the future? Who do you think they are?
•  Would you like to go to the future? When in time would you want to go?
•  Is there anyone in your family who you'd want to meet in the past?
•  If you went to the past, how would you keep from changing the present?

Craft ideas:
•  Draw a picture of yourself meeting someone from the past you'd want to meet.
•  Draw the city of the future. If you wanted to leave a note for the future what would it say?
•  What would YOUR time machine look like?

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!