Yikes!!!

T.J. and the Time Stumblers #6

by Bill Myers

In an effort to find the last of the fuel ingredients for their time pod, 23rd-century goofballs Tuna and Herby transport themselves to Africa. Unfortunately, they also transport TJ Finkelstein and half of her 7th-grade science class, including TV star Hesper Breakahart and dreamy Chad Steel. In the jungle, the Time Stumblers' usual mayhem jumps to a new level as Herby is adopted by a mother gorilla, Tuna is transformed into an ostrich chick, and the students are taken in by an African tribe. When Hesper tries to escape by leaping into a raging river, TJ finds that it's time to begin showing the leadership qualities that Tuna and Herby claim she'll have someday as a world leader. Thanks to her, everyone makes it home safely, and the Time Stumblers fuel up their time pod, leaving with laughter, tears . . . and one last zany surprise for TJ.

176 pages, ebook

First published February 1, 2012

About the author

Bill Myers was born into a Christian home, and although as a child he became bored with Christianity, he decided at the University of Washington quote, to "make God my boss." Ironically, at the University his worst subject was writing. He claims to have prayed, and said that he would be able to do anything for God, except write. Even so, he has become a prominent Christian writer, and has a large amount of successful books and films to his credit.

Reviews

[Anne Patkau]

Silly stretched imagination exercises funnybone. Even out of order is okay. TJ's whole class pfft! Africa fake to real: apes, ostriches. She learns more leadership skills for future.

[Angelina Jordon]

Funny and clean. Would recommend for a laugh and relaxation.

[Faith]

A hilarious conclusion to a fun series.

T.J. Finklestein is you reveryday average girl--except for the fact that she has two invisible, time-stumbling friends, Tuna and Herby...Yup, completely normal. As if that weren't bad enough, Herby and Tuna accidently transport T.J.'s entire class to Africa! Not to mention many other mishaps.

I have really enjoyed this series, because they have a nice clean humor that I believe that parents and children alike will appreciate. And while each of the books in the series teaches a great moral lesson, one thing that struck me was that there aren't any mentions of Jesus, sin, or salvation. So there were times when I wondered why it was marketed as a Christian book, that aside I found myself highly entertained. T.J. and the boys got themselves into tons of wacky adventures, and there was always something happening.

Overall this is a fun and funny series about an average girl who is far from average. I think that this series is well written and something that kids will love, yet I couldn't help but wish that it was a bit more like Mr. Myer's former series', including The Bloodhounds Inc., & Wally McDoogle, both of which expressed a more Christian theme. So if you are looking for a fun kid's read that teaches good lessons, this is a series that is a blast :)

No Review Required.

[Dawn]

Tuna and Herby have almost fixed their time pod and will be able to return to the 23rd century. They just need an ostrich to digest the chili. But needless to say, they still manage to accidentally transport TJ's science class to the wilds of Africa, get turned into a baby ostrich, and send a Mama Gorilla to New York. Still it's business as usual for TJ as she once again has a lesson to learn.

This is the conclusion to this series. (Well not for me as I still need to read books 1 & 5). I have to say I've enjoyed this series far more than I thought I would. I love the way that Tuna and Herby teach TJ practical lessons and that she really does learn them.

In this one, TJ learns the importance of being a servant. She learns that there is more to leadership than just leading. Leaders must also serve.

I have loved each of these books. I highly recommend them to kids ages 8-12.

I rented this book from the library to read as part of the Tyndale Summer Reading Program. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series, teachers, librarians, kids ages 8-12

Rating - 5 stars

[Lindsay]

"Yikes!!!" is the 6th (and I believe, final) book in the "TJ and the Time Stumblers" series by Bill Myers. Like the previous 5 books, "Yikes!!!" follows the crazy, wacky adventures of TJ and her 23rd century companions, Tuna and Herby, as they navigate junior high life with futuristic gadgets and inventions.

In this volume, the gang spends a majority of time somewhere in the African jungle (thanks to some future transporting gizmo), and TJ learns some valuable lessons about leadership, humility, and having a servant's heart. Although I still find the books fairly obnoxious at times, I must say, this was my favorite book, as the lessons TJ learned are very applicable for the intended reader, and although her predicaments may not be typical, the internal struggles she has are very relatable. Additionally, I've mentioned in previous reviews how annoyed and bothered I was by the plethora of boyfriend/girlfriend, "he's hot," and "she's a babe" vocabulary in the books, so I was pleasantly surprised by the conclusion of this book and the series, and one final lesson TJ learns.

[Tammy G.]

Summer time is here! And that means reading fun books during the summer for our newly turned teen. He loves books by Bill Myers! He began reading books authored by Bill Myers when he was 8 years old.
Of course, I read these books too. Well, they are just so much fun!
TJ and the Time Stumblers (I love that word...stumblers! ) This word suggest that they "just happened upon a discovery" and this is why my son loves this series . . . the adventure!
This time TJ and his friends are transported to the jungle. Yikes! Every 7th grade boys dream! Without his mom, of course. Yikes! The escapades these kids get into is fun but then fun has a price. Time for TJ to get it together!
It's not just any ole adventure, but Bill Myers uses that zany humor of his
to make this an adventure that is laugh.out.loud funny!

[Elizabeth]

Yikes is the last of the Time Stumblers series and this time, TJ, Tuna, Herby, and TJ’s classmates get transported to Africa. As usual, catastrophe occurs and the group faces wild animals, leech infested waters, piranha attacks, and an angry village of people. Also, Tuna turns himself into a baby ostrich and Herby is adopted by a mother gorilla. TJ must race against time to rescue Herby from the gorilla, turn Tuna back into a boy, and rescue her classmates by transporting them all back to Malibu. Despite all the chaos, TJ learns a valuable lesson about true leadership and serving others.

[Elle]

Not my favorite of the series, but it was great just as the rest of them are. TJ and her class end up stuck in the African jungle!
The last chapter was great, as the last chapters in series often are. When I began said chapter, I thought that I would be dying for an epilogue, or a second book to tell about their lives from then on, but I don't. The author did a fantastic job of wrapping up the story, and it was (for me at least) a bittersweet ending. I really do fancy those.....
I also like how TJ's relationship with Chad ended. You got to see a bit more of his character in this conclusion to the series.

[Michelle]

What a fun book that takes you to Africa! TJ thinks she is just going on another science field trip when her friends from the 23rd century show up. Of course Hesper Breakahart happens to be in the class and so very annoying to read about. Her character adds a point to the book but sometimes I think the author makes her too annoying. They end up in the jungle of Africa and encounter all it's dangers, including animals.

Hesper drives everyone crazy but in this book TJ learns to be a real leader even with annoying people.

I really enjoyed this book in the Time Stumblers Series!



Young adults (or older!) will enjoy!

[Rachel Mingle]

Yikes is the final book in the T.J. and the Time Stumblers series. Tuna and Herby have finally gathered almost everything they need to go home. Unfortunately when they attempt to gather the last thing which is an ostrich they transport TJ and her classmates from their field trip at an amusement park to the jungles of Africa. When TJ demonstrated leadership in saving people from waterfalls and rescuing Herby and Tuna from their blade accidents Tuna and Herby decided she was really ready for them to leave. This was a great conclusion to the series.

[Amanda]

Strangest book of the series.

This is not my favorite series. The book itself follows the series' standard outloopishness but really takes it over the top. It is nice to see TJ start becoming a leader though. I was glad TJ matured where Chad was concerned, but don't like the actual ending to the book. While TJ exhibits servitude in her adventure, it doesn't show the carry-over into her family life, which I found disappointing. I also thought the author broke the 4th wall too often.

[Louise Pearson]

Oops or yikes! This time Tuna and Herby have transported TJ and her science class to Africa! Tuna and Herby make me laugh! Then Bill Myers makes me laugh with the silly things that happen like the students start twitching from withdrawal of texting. This is an exciting adventure that both boys and girls should enjoy! It also teaches some important life lessons, such as kindness to others, helping others, and putting of others before self as TJ starts learning and applying these lessons.

[Kris]

Leeches and gorillas, ostriches and African tribal warriors all await TJ and her classmates when Herby transports them all from an African theme park to Africa itself! Eventually Herby and Tuna, the two 23rd century time travelers, are able to get them back but not before TJ learns some lessons about leadership. I’m sad to come to an end to these zany books about TJ!

[Hannah]

Yikes!!! the 6th book TJ and the Time Stumblers series by Bill Myers is a must read! The whole series has the same feel to it as the My Life as... series. Kids and their parents who like Myers writing will love this book.

[Amy]

Yikes!! is yet another adventuere for TJ, Tuna and Herby. Tuna and Herby are trying to get back home. This time they send TJ and her classmates to an African jungle. How fun and funny. I'm sad to see the end of the series.
4 1/2 stars

[Marie]

Finally the last book in this series if I was not reading these for the Tyndale Summer Reading program I would have stopped reading this series in book 4. Not a fan of book 5 or 6.