Once Was a Time by Leila Sales

"Compared to being kidnapped, held at gunpoint, and time traveling, this plane ride is going to be one of the least scary things you've ever done." p 230

Age Range: 10- 13 years
Grade Level: 4 - 8
Lexile Measure: 820 (Grade 5.1)
Hardcover: 272 pages
Publisher: Chronicle Books (April 5, 2016)
Rating: 5 out of 4

Summary:
In 1940 England, Charlotte must decide whether to stay with her best friend or journey to another time and place.

This book combines the historical setting of  World War II  England with time traveling. I say it is a mash up of the books The War That Saved My LIfe and A Wrinkle in Time. I usually like time travel books but sometimes they can get too technical or confusing. This book doesn't go that far. Charlotte ends up  traveling from 1940 to current day in a small town in Wisconsin.  She has been raised by a father who is a scientist researching for the military on how to use time travel for military purposes. One night Charlotte and her best friend are kidnapped and threatened with their lives. Charlotte happens to see a time travel hole and dives in and ends up in Wisconsin. Even though no one can figure out where she came from she eventually finds herself in a very loving foster care home.  Of course, she tries to figure out how to get back to her past which includes much research in the local library. She makes the best of her situation but she is always tuned into how to get to her past. 

The conclusion of this book is most satisfying and makes this book such a great read.  I rated it 5 out of 4 because I just couldn't put it down and loved how the author ended her story.