Da Wild, Da Crazy, Da Vinci

Time Warp Trio #14

by Jon Scieszka

You probably know that Leonardo da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa. Did you know that he also invented an early version of a helicopter and a tank, and that he planned to execute the Time Warp Trio for spying on his inventions? Sam's bright idea to look for the inventor of the Book takes the guys to 15th century Italy to meet up with Leonardo. But it's going to take at least three more bright ideas, two magic tricks, and one great invention to get them out of trouble and safely back home. If not, it could be a lifetime of Italian army toilet-cleaning detail for Joe, Sam, and Fred.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Childrens, Science Fiction, Humor, Chapter Books

74 pages, Paperback

First published September 27, 2004

About the author

Jon Scieszka is an American children's writer, best known for picture books created with the illustrator Lane Smith. He is also a nationally recognized reading advocate, and the founder of Guys Read – a web-based literacy program for boys whose mission is "to help boys become self-motivated, lifelong readers."

Reviews

[Reanna]

This was cute, my son enjoyed it but you may have to be a super nerd to really enjoy it. I kid...a little. We may check out some more of these at some point. :)

[Charles]

Joe, Sam and Fred have a book that when they open it emits a vapor that will serve as a time machine. In this adventure, they go back in time to Italy during the life of Leonardo Da Vinci. Considered by many to be the all-time greatest breadth of talent, Da Vinci had a wild imagination, a sound scientific mind and the skills of the most talented of artists.
When they go back, they have no trouble finding Da Vinci, unfortunately they also meet Lord Borgia, Captain Nassti and Niccolo Machiavelli. The minds of these people are on war and the power to make more effective war, so they have no interest in anything that is not a war machine. Therefore, the Time Warp Trio ends up cleaning the toilets in the army of Lord Borgia. It is only after they come up with some clever ruses that they recover the book that allows them to return to their proper time.
History presented in an accurate and interesting way is history learned and in this case there are some laughs included. Written for the young child, it will also teach some basic history about one of the greatest personalities of history.

[Bexa]

Read for Battle of the Books.

I enjoy the Time Warp Trio, and I think they are great books for boys that can get them interested in history and science fiction, but they are always just a hit or miss with me. There is a lot of potty humor in these, so I'm not always a fan, and the way the plot works just doesn't always seem cohesive to me. I also realize that I am not the demographic for this book, so that's okay with me.

[Jessica]

Joe, Fred and Sam go back to Italy during the time of Leonardo da Vinci. I enjoy reading historical fiction that includes famous figures from the past. I like reading different authors' takes on what those people may have been like. And I loved Scieszka's portrayal of da Vinci. Comical and clever installment to the series.

[Heidi]

I finally read one of the Time Warp Trio books and I can see why they would appeal to boys. Some mild toilet humor and silliness. A very short read for reluctant readers.

[Karen]

This book was super-fun, especially for kids who are intrigued by history, inventions, and DaVinci.

[Mete]

Çok güzel bir kitap. Ayrıca üç kafadarın ve Leonardo'nun yaptığı proje gerçekten çok mantıklı.

[Ginger Rogers]

Dnf

[QuantiFIRE]

it's ok though its really like the others

[Stella Hines]

It was good, but I hate the part when the three friends have to clean the toilets and captain. Nasty told them to.

[Fee]

This series is consistently fun, but I think this was one of the best. Silly and cute.

[Marion]

I do enjoy the places the trio sees and the people they meet.

[Dolly]

This is a fun book in the Time Warp Trio series. We have only read one other book in the series, but I think we're hooked. It's similar to the "Magic Tree House" series, only with more wit, goofiness, sarcasm, spunk, and boy appeal. Still, our girls like the stories, and Jon Scieszka is one of our favorite authors. We liked this story; we read Mary Pope Osborne's Monday with a Mad Genius recently and were eager to read more about Leonardo da Vinci.

[Children's Literature]

Sam, Joe and Fred head back to the time of Leonardo Da Vinci hoping that he is the inventor of The Book and can tell them how it works. They run into trouble when they cross paths with Captain Nassti who just wants to blow things up and go to battle. In order to avoid scrubbing the latrine for twenty-five years, the trio and Leonardo Da Vinci must invent something to help Nassti and his boss, Lord Borgia, defeat the Town of Urbo. What genius invention do they produce to make everyone happy?

[Michael]

A quick clever read. Who would think three kids from Brooklyn could affect history, but there they go, saving Leonardo da Vinci from the machinations of Borgia and Machiavelli. Along with some good pranks and humor about toilets, there's some action and science involved for light educational benefits.

Bad news for those who have been vaccinated against cooties: there are no women in this book at all! Oh well, maybe next time the TWT will visit Marie Curie. We will have to wait and see...

[The Brothers]

Another fun-filled, toilet-referencing, adventure for the time war trio of Joe, Fred, and Sam. This time Sam thinks he's nailed down the creator of The Book (he thinks it's Leonardo da Vinci) and the three are off to ask him how it works. Along the way they meet some notable men of da Vinci's time, including Machiavelli.

[Christy]

Time warp Trio visit Leonardo DaVinci. Kids see his invention. Soldier takes them to clean toilets. They get back to DaVinci and help him with the dimensions of the man with the multiple arms. Find the book with DaVinci and get home.

[Carolyn]

AR 3.6 -- 1.0

Boys travel back in time to meet DaVinci, the inventor or the Time Warp book.

[Rebekah]

Kids love this book and now they want to know all about Da Vinci!

[Jay]

These crazy books called time warp trio lead a life for characters called Fred, Sam & Joe and the book. They are great fantasy books to read.

[Susan Honthumb]

Quick read. Great way to introduce Da Vinci to kids.

[Chandler]

Sam, Fred and Joe time warped back to 1500s and met Leonardo.

[Stephanie]

Love, but maybe more background on DaVinci would be helpful. Not all my young readers will know who this is. But still, love!

[Cana]

Mommy says: Cana started to read it on her own 8/2009 but was not interested. Maybe later.

[matthew smiley]

pretty good book

[Bew Saensurin]

It's really good story

[B-zee]

http://bacaanbzee.wordpress.com/2014/...

[Pam]

BOB Racine 2014-15. Juvenile historical fiction. A look into Leonardo Da Vinci's life. Humorous.