I did not read the first book in this series, The Left Behinds: The iPhone that Saved George Washington, and recommend that you do. This books starts where the last one left off with very little background information. I would have liked more information about the three kids, their school, their families as well as the mysterious app that allows them to time travel. Not sure if that is the reason why or not, but I had mixed feelings about this book. I did like the characters both the three children: Mel, Brandon and Bev as well as Tad, Lincoln's son. Bev is sharp-tongued, impatient, yet very smart, Brandon is laid-back, and goes with the flow, while Mel, the narrator, is just your average guy who wants to do what he is sent for and get back home. This book has the children traveling back to 1863 to stop an evil scientist from changing the outcome of the Battle of Gettysburg. This is a jumping off point for someone to try to get more information about the Civil War and this famous battle, and there is a long list of resources at the end of the story, as there was very little information in the story. I did enjoy how everyone is awed and confused about the modern technology (i.e. Apple Phones), but they don't seem interested by these children just appearing, their odd clothes, or why they are heading to Gettysburg while everyone else is leaving. So, there are some things I liked, others that were just okay. Perhaps if I was an 8 or 9 year old, I might think differently.

This is a fun book for kids and really people of all ages. Hilarious!!