Countdown to Yesterday is an absolutely charming story about a boy who just wants his family to be happy. When James learns his parents are getting a divorce, he doesn’t know what to do. He doesn’t want to live two lives – half the week with Dad and half the week with Mum. He wants things to be the way they were before. A new friend offers him the chance to travel back in time so he can work out what went wrong and try to put things right. What he discovers is enlightening and completely surprising.
Children with separated families will find so much to relate to in this story. Well, maybe not the time travel but I’m sure many of them wish they could go back and try to fix things for their parents. Through James’s story, they’ll see everything happens for a reason and it’s possible to find a new way of being that is happier for everyone.
The exploration of old computer systems and the possibility of time travel is fascinating. I wouldn’t be surprised if readers are inspired to try to make their own time machines! When would they choose to visit? What are their key memories? Would they change anything about their past to make a difference to the present or their future? There is so much rich discussion growing out of this book.
James’s new friend, Yan, is an intriguing character. A Chinese Australian, her family doesn’t quite fit in with the other Australian families. Yan sees the world differently to others and is not afraid to be herself. James learns about kindness, welcome and acceptance both for his own life and the lives of others.
Thank you to Usborne for this intriguing book!
Follow these links to find out more or purchase on-line:
Bookshop.org:
Amazon (commissions earned):
Books by Kate Heap:
Order Fiction & Poetry and Non-fiction for Year Two on the links below:
Books for Years 3 -6:
Scope for Imagination 