This was a cute, and funny read. I added it to my classroom library. My students seemed to enjoy it for the most part. I thought it was a fun way to teach about someone.

A Good Job With Tough Material

The first book in the "History Pals" series featured Benjamin Franklin. He's a very recognizable and kid friendly character, and he's popped up in a number of children's books I've read. But, Eleanor Roosevelt? She's a great choice, but that's a tough sell. I'm happy to report that, at least for me and hopefully for a young reader, the choice paid off.

We waste no time getting Ellie, (Mrs. Roosevelt, please), time transported to the present. We also waste no time getting her to understand and accept what has happened. That leaves plenty of page time left over for adventuring. The cool bit, in this book and in the whole series, is that adventures are manufactured that allow actual quotes from the historical figure to be used, and used in proper context. So when Mrs. Roosevelt talks about working for the common good it's because she and the kids are at that moment in fact doing some work for the common good.

There are three mini-comics graphic stories set out in the book. They are basically graphic versions of personal stories being told by Ellie, (Mrs Roosevelt, please). This is a wonderful way to open up the biography without confusing the main story, and it provides a break from the text, which is probably appealing to very young readers. Along the same lines there is back matter that provides context for some of the things commented on or described by Mrs. Roosevelt. Again, this is a good way to add a bit more to the book than just an antic time travel angle.

So, I was delighted that the author and Ellie pulled this off and hope this series keeps going for a while. It's a clever approach to the "You Are There at ..." style books from my youth, and a nice change of pace for an adventuresome young reader.

(Please note that I received a free ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)

My students are huge fans of Ben Franklin's In My Bathroom and they were just as excited to read about Eleanor Roosevelt! Continuing from the first book in the series is a silly yet factual account of what it would be like to have Eleanor Roosevelt visit modern day times. This series is great for fans of Magic Treehouse or I Survived, sprinkled with a mix of Diary of a Wimpy Kid or Dork Diaries-esque narration. Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC!

This is a cute, funny book, that is really both a biographical view of Eleanor Roosevelt, as well, as a time travel story of what would happen if Eleanor Roosevelt showed up in your house, in the 21st Century.

I have always admired Eleanor, and have read some books about her early childhood, as well as stories about what she did after she left the White House, for civil rights, so I was familiar with much of her back story.

But, it is not necessary to know anything about her, to enjoy this book, because the book gives you everything you need to know.

Told in the voice of Nolan, this is the second in a series of time travel books about famous people from history being brought to Nolan and Olive’s house. The first book was about Benjamin Franklin, so the kids know what has to be done, they have to learn something, and the historical figure has to learn something as well.

But, this is not a preachy book, and it isn’t trying to shove the “lesson” down your throat. Instead, we are introduced to a fully formed, well rounded version of Eleanor Roosevelt snatched from about 1940, or so.  She is  very determined to help the children help themselves, and once she has realized what she is into, she doesn’t take no for an answer.

And Fala comes along for the ride.

Eleanor, or Mrs. Roosevelt, as she keeps reminding Olive, is mistaken for the baby sitter, and so gets away with taking care of the children while their mother is out of town.

When Fala escapes from the house, they got off in search of him, and discover what it is that needs to be done for the community, that Eleanor has been brought into their lives for.

We get to meet the Mayor, the mayor’s father, and the local annoying kid, as well as the girl that plays soccer better than Nolan.

And in between , we have stories from Elanor’s life, to prove whatever point she is trying to make. Below are examples of her telling what it was like to realize that she didn’t have to be pretty to be useful in the world.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-872" src="http://www.reyes-sinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/file-aug-19-1-54-08-pm.png" alt="Elinor feel s something" />

And this is about how they made a short about Fala, FDR’s dog, which I was unaware of.<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-873" src="http://www.reyes-sinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/file-aug-19-2-08-14-pm.png" alt="Fala in a moviae" />

And this is about how King George and Queen Elizabeth (the present queen of the UK’s mother) were treated to hot dogs when they came for a state visit. This is another true story that I was unaware of.<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-874" src="http://www.reyes-sinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/file-aug-19-2-11-10-pm.png" alt="King eats hot dogs" />

I expect that kids will come from the humor and the cartoons and stay for the excellent story.  I look forward to the next book in the series, as well as trying to find the firsts book.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

Historical figures presented in a fun format for young readers - sure to keep them reading and learning at the same time.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author of this book for allowing an advanced look into this book in exchange for an honest review.

Readers will go on a wild run through town with Nolan, Olive, Eleanor Roosevelt and her dog, Fala. Mrs. Roosevelt and her pup appeared with the help of a machine that seems to act on its' own. But how will she get back? Everyone has to learn something first, even the readers!

Fun historical fiction aimed at students looking for something after Magic Tree House series. I am looking forward to more in the series.