A fun little read for those who enjoy children's literature. One I would love to read to my grandkids. ( )

In the first book in the Time Warp Trio series, the reader is introduced to its three main characters - Joe, Fred, and Sam - and learns how they achieve the power of being able to travel to different times. The story opens with Joe's birthday, with the boys reviewing Joe's birthday haul of presents. Sam points out that Joe missed one, and Joe's mom mentions it is from his Uncle Joe. Since Uncle Joe, also known as Joe the Magnificent, is a magician, all three boys are excited to open the package. Fred is disappointed when it's just a book, but Joe is intrigued by its midnight blue color with silver and swirly designs. Before Joe has a chance to fully examine it, though, Fred opens it and expresses a wish to see the black knight in the picture in person. His words are followed by a swirling mist which covers the room, and when it clears, the three boys discover they really can see the knight up close and personal!

While they figure out what happened, they also have to disarm the Black Knight, who is intent on killing them. With some teamwork and quick thinking, the boys use the knight's abilities against him to knock him out, and deduce that the book Joe's uncle gave him was indeed magic and transported them into the past. They are able to determine when they are after some knights of the round table trot up and congratulate them for defeating the evil knave Black Knight. They invite the three boys, who must be wizards, to return with them to the court, where they meet King Arthur. Their troubles are far from over; Merlin mistrusts them, and seems jealous about their designation as wizards, and to prove themselves, the boys agree to defeat the rampaging ogre and flaming dragon that are both attacking King Arthur's court at the same time.

The trio use the same common sense sarcasm and wit that they applied to the Black Knight to route dragon and ogre. Even though they manage to get Merlin off their backs, they still are stuck in Arthurian England, with no way home. Luckily, Merlin eventually reveals that he found their sorcerous book and he returns it (likely to get them out of his hair). The boys magically return to Joe's kitchen at the exact moment that they left, in another swirling fog of mist.

Since this is a beginning chapter book, the story is fast-paced and short, with small chapters and plenty of cliffhanger moments. The three characters are feisty and funny boys, and the story is full of action and gross gags, all of which appeals to young readers and keeps their attention engaged. My daughters had a great time reading this book. The story also includes some jokes meant for the grown up readers, like certain references to Lancelot and Guinevere. Sciezka has a snarky and silly voice that is on full display in this book, and makes for a great read aloud. The narrative is accompanied with wonderful illustrations that perfectly capture the style and tone of the book. My family enjoyed the introduction book to this series, and plan on reading further in the series. ( )

Recommended by Catherine D.

Three friends at a birthday party travel back in time thanks to a magician uncle's gift of a book. Joe, Fred, and Sam find themselves fighting the Black Knight and joining King Arthur's court before figuring out how to get themselves back to the present.

Reminded me a bit of Edward Eager's Half Magic and Seven-Day Magic. ( )

This was an excellent modern fantasy. The story began with the Fred's birthday party. Fred and his friends opened up a mysterious present from Fred's magician of an uncle. The present transported them into the medieval times. Fred and his gang of friends become accosted by a terrible knight. Fred and his friends defeat the knight. The knights of the round table exalt the trio and bring them to King Arthur. The author brings in Smaug from the Lord of the Rings and a giant to threaten the kingdom. Fred uses his wit to trick the giant to attack Smaug. I would use this book right after lunch for approximately three days to introduce my students to learning about the medieval times in the British Isles. ( )

I love this kind of stuff - at all levels, Reminds me of James Patterson's Treasure Hunters and that fun film about Mr. Peabody and Sherman's time machine.

This book was about three friends, Joe, Fred, and Sam. On Joe's birthday, his uncle, a magician, gives him a book. When they open it, one of the boys wonders what it would be like to see real Knights. All of a sudden, all the boys are pulled into a different time period of knights and castles. As soon as the boys realize where they are, a knight tries to attack them. They convince the king they are wizards so they do not get killed. They finally get back when a real wizard finds a book with a picture of them sitting in Joe's house on his birthday.
This book was okay, it was a little slow in some parts, but it was very short so it wasn't too bad. There were some funny parts so I think that kids 7-11 will enjoy the book. There were pictures on every few pages. I think it was helpful in some parts. When Joe first recieved the book, he described it. Then, when I turned the page, it was a picture of it, so I liked that. The pictures were pretty detailed and related a lot to the important things readers wanted to know. I would recommend this to, mostly boys, who enjoy fantasy and want to start reading chapter books. This chapter book that was also a fantasy fiction would be best for 4th graders. ( )

The Time Warp Trio, by Jon Scieszka, was a really easy read with a very interesting story that any kid could find interest in. The book started off very quick and grabbed the reader very well. The main part of this book that I really liked was the plot of story, but what I liked about the plot was the simplicity of it. This book is based on the basic easy to follow one conflict at the beginning and one conflict to solve the original. The Time Warp Trio books are all based on the same basic plot which is very easy to read. Another aspect of this book that I like are the characters. While the characters were all boys, making the book not as interesting to girls or easy to relate to. These boys were very easy to connect to even at my age I could see myself in their shoes. Also any child could imagine being friends with any of them due to the great character development. The last thing I felt fondly about was the language that Jon used all around great writing. He uses language that is not only descriptive and picture painting but also language that a young child can read with easy and speed. With only 50 pages one would think the story is lacking or just shy of detail but Jon does a great job all around with all the books in this series. The big idea in this story was to use your brain not your muscle to fix a conflict. Great idea to teach young children not to hit people but to talk to them. ( )

Fun book for young readers. A good book for older elementary students to learn how to write imaginative stories based on stories that they have already read or heard. Also good to teach how to write stories with a time warp. ( )

This book is called Knights of the Kitchen Table. The reason i like this book is because its about nights. The reason i like nights is because They have armor and they are very strong.Another reason i like nights is bacause they get respect.They all have rune armor. The best armor thugh is rs armor. Thats why i like this book "Knights Of The Kitchen Table.

This book is appropriate for students in grades 2-3rd. This book i about a boy Joe who receives a book from his uncle on his birthday. The book is very mysterious and has the power to make Joe and his friends to travel back in time to King Authors Court. The boys travel to lots of places giving the book lots of action. To find out how the boys travel back and forth through time students will have to read the series.
Teacher could use this book too:
-Read to the class at the end of the day or morning meeting. Have students make predictions of what they think is going to happen.
-Have students create their own story about traveling through time. Either forwards or backwards allow them to be creative as to what they would see or do in the time period.

The Knights of the Kitchen Table is the first book in a series written by Jon Scieszka called the "Time Warp Trio." When Joe's magician uncle gives him a mysterious book for his birthday, the three friends find themselves time traveling back to King Arthur's court. The boys take on a black knight and a giant and find themselves in Camelot with the likes of Sir Lancelot, Sir Gawain and Merlin. With lots of action and humor this book is a sure hit for boys and girls alike. With only 55 pages this should be a good book for reluctant readers as well. There is no explanation, at least not in the first book, of how the book sends the boys back in time. Nor does it explain why they have found themselves in King Arthur's court. The story is not logical and there is no universal truth underlying the metaphor of the fantasy. While the plot may not be original or ingenious, the story is pure fun. The characters are not necessarily well developed but they do make you laugh out loud. This book is simply a lot of fun and children are sure to want to pick up others in the series.

Suggested grade level: 3-5. ( )

http://books.moonsoar.com/archives/2010/12/15/the-time-warp-trio-knights-of-the-... ( )

Genre: Modern Fantasy

Critique of Genre: This is an excellent example of modern fantasy because it describes three friends who get time warped into medieval times with knights, giants, and wizards. The events of this book are not possible in the real world, however, the author writes in a way that makes the story believable.

Age: Intermediate

Critique of Style: (See star rating above) ( )

Genre: This is an excellent example of a modern fantasy, even though it is based on a legend. It fits because it is the story of three boys from our time who accidentally travel back in time to the time of the legends of King Arthur.

Point of View: The author chose well by using the first person in the book. While the book focuses on three characters, it is very interesting to see how one of them perceives their zany adventures. The character, Joe, who's point of view the story is told from, is the most level-headed, so his perspective makes the plot more sensible.

This book is called Knights of the Kitchen Table. The reason i like this book is because its about nights. The reason i like nights is because They have armor and they are very strong.Another reason i like nights is bacause they get respect.Thats why i like this book "Knights Of The Kitchen Table.

I have seen this series sitting on my library shelves and did not realize Lane Smith was the illustrator. I actually really enjoyed this quick read and could see the appeal with young boys. I liked the sarcastic, subtle adult humour alongside Smith's dark and detailed sketches. ( )

Fun, short, and readable. Great series for elementary boys just turning to chapter books. Three boys accidentally get transported to a well-known time in history and meet historical characters along with fanciful ones, and they manage to save the people from disaster. The books contain lots of standard young boy humor (bad smells, burps, farts, etc). ( )

a totally fun, fast paced, excellent for reading aloud in installments type of book. Especially for boys. Excellent illustrations extend the fun. ( )

This is the first in a fantastic series about three boys who have a magic book that transports them through time and space on very funny adventures. ( )

The first in a series of books. Three boys find that a book belonging to their uncle can transport them to different periods in time. (King Arthur in this one). The dialog is hilarious as new language and old clashes. A quick adventure until they can make it out of the book to safety.

Suggested age: Grades 3-5. Genre: Science Fiction.
Joe, Sam, and Fred are sent back in time to the time of King Arthur by a gift from Joe's magician uncle. While there, they must defeat The Black Knight, convince Merlin that they are enchanters, and save the kingdom from a dragon and a giant at the same time. This would be a good early chapter book to move students to rather than having them try to attempt something much more difficult. It has some good examples of voice in writing, as well as using an in media res lead and a flashback.

This book is a short and sweet adventure tale of three young boys who are magically swept away into King Arthur’s England where they must use their talents to defeat the evil Black Knight, the giant Bleob, and Smaug the Dragon. But will the boys be able to figure out their way home? The book is a light and entertaining read, with an appropriate amount of perfectly matched illustrations. Kids, especially boys, will enjoy this book for its adventure and humor, but personally I found it was too short to have characters that were truly interesting. ( )

This is a good example of fantasy because the author has created a believable word that requires the reader to put aside the norms of our world. Joe receives a magic book that transports them to the world of King Arthur, where they defeat a giant and a dragon.

Character: Joe's mom is a good example of a flat character because we do not learn much about her and she does not change at all. At the beginning of the story she does not approve of the gifts that Joe's uncle sends him, and at the end she feels the same way.

Age Appropriateness: Intermediate

Another great book for boys to read and travel to another place in time.

When a young boy receives a magical book for his birthday, three boys travel back into time. They travel to a place with castles and knights. This is King Arthur's place to be exact. After helping King Arthur destroy a giant and a dragon they have a difficult time finding their way home. However, with Merlin's help the boys find their way home again and everything is as if they had never left. ( )

This is one of many series books in the Time Warp Trio. These books are fantasy but wonderful for those children with a creative imagination. Students will enjoy reading about their adventures with their magic book! This one in particular is good for those student that are interested in knights.