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T.J. and the Time Stumblers #2
Aaaargh!!!
This six-book series centers around two 23rd century goofballs, Tuna and Herby, who travel back in time to study TJ Finkelstein for their history project. TJ will someday become a great leader who demonstrates honesty, integrity, thoughtfulness, self-sacrifice, respect for others--all traits she hones and grasps through her adventures in this series. Unfortunately, Tuna and Herby get stuck in TJ's time (modern day), so she has to deal with their schemes while juggling the normal issues of a seventh grader who has moved to a new city, is trying to fit in, and is coping with her mother's death and her family's new life. In "AAAARGH!!!," Tuna and Herby try to help TJ with a book report by getting the author to write it for her, but all three of them quickly see the consequences of cheating spiral out of control. Meanwhile, TJ's cute neighbor and classmate Chad Steel is getting ready for a big surfing competition--and learning his own lesson about honesty.
192 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2011
2 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
Bill Myers
332 books393 followersBill 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.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 18, 2012
I am loving this series more and more!
Part of me is happy that this is a short six-book series because I know that I will be buying all of these books and it is an obtainable number of books for any kid to read, BUT, part of me is way sad, that there will only be six adventures to be had and life experiences to be learned.
This book focuses on the dangers that come from cheating. Granted, TJ is only cheating on a school book report now, but she comes to realize that this decision will affect her future and the choices she makes down the road. I don’t think the word “integrity” was used in the book, but it is felt throughout the story. Telling the truth and being honest are two great lessons every child needs to learn.
….and of course, I’m still totally digging the Bill and Ted excellent vibes, dude! Your 9-12 year old will love this book and not be able to wait for the next book in the series Oops! to come out. Yeah!
Part of me is happy that this is a short six-book series because I know that I will be buying all of these books and it is an obtainable number of books for any kid to read, BUT, part of me is way sad, that there will only be six adventures to be had and life experiences to be learned.
This book focuses on the dangers that come from cheating. Granted, TJ is only cheating on a school book report now, but she comes to realize that this decision will affect her future and the choices she makes down the road. I don’t think the word “integrity” was used in the book, but it is felt throughout the story. Telling the truth and being honest are two great lessons every child needs to learn.
….and of course, I’m still totally digging the Bill and Ted excellent vibes, dude! Your 9-12 year old will love this book and not be able to wait for the next book in the series Oops! to come out. Yeah!
February 13, 2023
Funny and clean. Would recommend for a laugh and relaxation.
August 31, 2013
TJ and the Time Stumblers #2
Aaaargh!!!
By Bill Myers
With time-traveling teens Herby and Tuna still stuck in the twenty-first TJ's in for more trouble and this time it revolves around a Treasure Island book report. And with Tuna and Herby helping TJ won't get it written, not with swashbuckling pirates battling in her bedroom.
But TJ has even bigger problems in the form of Hesper Breakahart - tv star extraordinaire. And Hesper is determined to make TJ pay for Herby and Tuna allowing everyone to hear her thoughts at the school science fair. And unfortunately with all the weirdness going on thanks to Tuna and Herby, TJ is an easy target for Hesper's plan.
When TJ doesn't get her book report written Tuna and Herby convince her to use one written by someone else, but in the process they end up changing the future.
And when Elizabeth, Hesper's minion/fan/forgotten best friend/spy, starts observing TJ closely she becomes convinced that TJ is something else. And the something else that she thinks TJ is a combination witch/vampire/alien!
With angry pirates and parrots on the loose Malibu will never be the same again. Aaaargh!!! is a lesson in cheating and how cheating just once makes it easier and necessary to cheat again to maintain the deception from the first time.
Aaaargh!!!
By Bill Myers
With time-traveling teens Herby and Tuna still stuck in the twenty-first TJ's in for more trouble and this time it revolves around a Treasure Island book report. And with Tuna and Herby helping TJ won't get it written, not with swashbuckling pirates battling in her bedroom.
But TJ has even bigger problems in the form of Hesper Breakahart - tv star extraordinaire. And Hesper is determined to make TJ pay for Herby and Tuna allowing everyone to hear her thoughts at the school science fair. And unfortunately with all the weirdness going on thanks to Tuna and Herby, TJ is an easy target for Hesper's plan.
When TJ doesn't get her book report written Tuna and Herby convince her to use one written by someone else, but in the process they end up changing the future.
And when Elizabeth, Hesper's minion/fan/forgotten best friend/spy, starts observing TJ closely she becomes convinced that TJ is something else. And the something else that she thinks TJ is a combination witch/vampire/alien!
With angry pirates and parrots on the loose Malibu will never be the same again. Aaaargh!!! is a lesson in cheating and how cheating just once makes it easier and necessary to cheat again to maintain the deception from the first time.
June 5, 2014
(To begin, let me say that I'm over a decade out of the target audience age range, so that definitely affects my opinion of the book.)
"AAAARGH!!!" is the second book in a "juvenile" series about a modern-day junior-high student, T.J., and her from-the-future pals, Herby and Tuna. The book follows her adventures over the course of a crazy week as she deals with one catastrophe after another resulting from the chaos of having two 23rd century companions and all of their sci-fi gadgets. There is a lot of ridiculousness and humor in the book that caters to the target audience, what with pirates coming alive from books and talking animals, etc, and I'm sure that's fun for preteen readers. I found it a little obnoxious, but again, I'm an older reader than the author intends. ;-) I did find it interesting (if at times slightly annoying) how the author uses font size and shape to get his point across. That, combined with his written sound affects, would probably help the unimaginative reader to get into the story.
Overall, "AAAARGH!!!" is an interesting story and the author teaches a good lesson about the dangers and consequences of cheating, both immediate and far down the line. For that reason, and because I'm sure younger kids would love the wackiness of the story, I'm giving it 4 stars.
"AAAARGH!!!" is the second book in a "juvenile" series about a modern-day junior-high student, T.J., and her from-the-future pals, Herby and Tuna. The book follows her adventures over the course of a crazy week as she deals with one catastrophe after another resulting from the chaos of having two 23rd century companions and all of their sci-fi gadgets. There is a lot of ridiculousness and humor in the book that caters to the target audience, what with pirates coming alive from books and talking animals, etc, and I'm sure that's fun for preteen readers. I found it a little obnoxious, but again, I'm an older reader than the author intends. ;-) I did find it interesting (if at times slightly annoying) how the author uses font size and shape to get his point across. That, combined with his written sound affects, would probably help the unimaginative reader to get into the story.
Overall, "AAAARGH!!!" is an interesting story and the author teaches a good lesson about the dangers and consequences of cheating, both immediate and far down the line. For that reason, and because I'm sure younger kids would love the wackiness of the story, I'm giving it 4 stars.
July 23, 2012
What a fun new series!
I remember reading Mr. Myers' book way back when "The Bloodhounds" series was new, so it was a treat for me to be able to read one of his newer series, T.J. and the Time Stumblers.
T.J. is just your average teenage girl trying to survive Middle School, and being visited by time traveling teens from the 23rd Century doesn't make things any easier. Join T.J., Herby and Tuna and their hilarious adventures as they learn valuable life lessons.
The second book in this series (I haven't read the first, but I was able to follow just fine) dealt with the consequences of cheating and how you might not see the consequences right away, but they are there nontheless. This is the kind of series that is fun to read, and kids are sure to love! This series was recommended to me by a friend and she was right they are funny! I especially thought that when the characters made mental lists inside their heads was just laugh out loud funny!
T.J.'s life is filled with stereotypical teenage types, but that doesn't detract from the charm, my guess is that if your kids like watching the Disney Channel or whatever they will find much more wholesome entertainment inside the pages of this book!
No review required. I checked this one out at my local library!
I remember reading Mr. Myers' book way back when "The Bloodhounds" series was new, so it was a treat for me to be able to read one of his newer series, T.J. and the Time Stumblers.
T.J. is just your average teenage girl trying to survive Middle School, and being visited by time traveling teens from the 23rd Century doesn't make things any easier. Join T.J., Herby and Tuna and their hilarious adventures as they learn valuable life lessons.
The second book in this series (I haven't read the first, but I was able to follow just fine) dealt with the consequences of cheating and how you might not see the consequences right away, but they are there nontheless. This is the kind of series that is fun to read, and kids are sure to love! This series was recommended to me by a friend and she was right they are funny! I especially thought that when the characters made mental lists inside their heads was just laugh out loud funny!
T.J.'s life is filled with stereotypical teenage types, but that doesn't detract from the charm, my guess is that if your kids like watching the Disney Channel or whatever they will find much more wholesome entertainment inside the pages of this book!
No review required. I checked this one out at my local library!
July 30, 2013
AAAARGH is book 2 in the TJ and the Time Stumblers series and in this story, TJ experiences more mayhem and madness. TJ has a book report due to hand into school, but has not finished it yet due to the time travelers. Feeling bad, Herby and Tuna decide to help her by bringing the author of the book, that TJ is writing the report on, to TJ’s time to write the report for her. Though TJ does not want to cheat, she turns in the paper so that she will not get a failing grade. However, her decision has some damaging consequences for her that may change her future as a world leader. Meanwhile, Chad is learning the same lesson about cheating when he allows Doug and Naomi to help him win a surfing competition, however, after he has a strange dream about seeing TJ’s little sister drowning and not caring about whether she lives or dies because of his desire to win, Chad comes to the conclusion that he will not cheat and he skips the championship. When Chad sees TJ at the beach, he tells her of the strange dream and TJ must make the decision to tell the truth about the report or to keep it a secret. However, the question is, was the dream really a dream? You will just have to read the book to find out.
August 25, 2013
This is a short read, geared toward young adults, about a new kid in a middle school in Malibu, California. I will admit that I did not read the first book in this series, so maybe that affected my ability to like this book.
The series is billed as wacky, and it definitely is, but almost like the author is trying too hard to be clever in a way that kids would enjoy. I'm all for cheesy humor but I just couldn't get into it in this book. And I found it hard to follow. There are a lot of special made-up words formatted in a different font than the rest of the words in the book, and I get the idea the author and publisher were going for, but I think it's distracting rather than enhancing.
My biggest complaint, though, is the message of the story. These are Christian books that teach good values, but in this particular book, the main character, TJ, chooses to cheat on a paper, and her friends from the future inform her that her decision to do that, and not make it right, affect her ability to someday end world hunger. I understand that actions have consequences and I think that's important, BUT I think it could be taught in a better way than a guilt-inducing hologram of starving children. (Really?)
Overall, I was disappointed.
The series is billed as wacky, and it definitely is, but almost like the author is trying too hard to be clever in a way that kids would enjoy. I'm all for cheesy humor but I just couldn't get into it in this book. And I found it hard to follow. There are a lot of special made-up words formatted in a different font than the rest of the words in the book, and I get the idea the author and publisher were going for, but I think it's distracting rather than enhancing.
My biggest complaint, though, is the message of the story. These are Christian books that teach good values, but in this particular book, the main character, TJ, chooses to cheat on a paper, and her friends from the future inform her that her decision to do that, and not make it right, affect her ability to someday end world hunger. I understand that actions have consequences and I think that's important, BUT I think it could be taught in a better way than a guilt-inducing hologram of starving children. (Really?)
Overall, I was disappointed.
July 16, 2014
TJ Finklestein is trying hard to fit in at her new school, Malibu Junior High. That's a little hard to do when she's the subject of a history report by two teenage boys from the 23rd century. Plus there's the small matter of the pirates. And the cannonball hole in her room. And that book report...Join TJ and her time traveling buddies as she learns lessons in honesty and cheating.
I've read Bill Myers' adult books before, but never his kids' books. This was hilarious! I loved every second of TJ's adventure.
I did think that the best characters were Tuna and Herby, the time travelers. The way that they got TJ into trouble in the first place and then tried to help her get out of trouble. I can't remember the last time I laughed like this while reading a book! I also loved the way that TJ learns the lessons she needs to.
I rented this book from the library to read as part of Tyndale's 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
I've read Bill Myers' adult books before, but never his kids' books. This was hilarious! I loved every second of TJ's adventure.
I did think that the best characters were Tuna and Herby, the time travelers. The way that they got TJ into trouble in the first place and then tried to help her get out of trouble. I can't remember the last time I laughed like this while reading a book! I also loved the way that TJ learns the lessons she needs to.
I rented this book from the library to read as part of Tyndale's 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
June 19, 2013
Bill Myers is one my favorite children's authors. He's funny and extremely talented in presenting a creative message to children through the written word.
TJ and the Time Stumblers are always on the look out for a new adventure, sometimes just stumbling on one (hence the name Time Stumblers =)
This is the second book in a six book series. And is filled with some good issues that seventh graders (middle schoolers) might have to deal with). Bill Myers does a great job of bringing out the sadness of losing a parent without being sappy.
We're reading all the series this summer because it's such a fun and unique series.
Life lessons, faith filled fun and in this book truth/honesty.
October 31, 2014
This is the second book in the Time Stumblers series. I liked this book because of fun Pirate and Treasure Island references. As usual many odd and random things go on with Tuna and Herby as they "help" TJ and discover a lesson on cheating. These books take creative thinking to read them which is why they are perfect for young adults and kids. I liked some of the other books in this series better but this one still teaches a good lesson while being a fun read.
For more info check out Tyndale Publishing!
For more info check out Tyndale Publishing!
February 4, 2013
TJ Finkelstein is a seventh grader whose life turned up-side-down the day two goofball boys from the future crash landed into her life. And if that wasn't enough TJ has a girl from school trying to prove that TJ's an alien, another girl trying to destroy her, and a little problem with a report she cheated on.
This book was hilarious! If you've ever read Bill Myers My Life As... series you'll love the TJ and the Time Stumblers series.
This book was hilarious! If you've ever read Bill Myers My Life As... series you'll love the TJ and the Time Stumblers series.
June 7, 2014
Just alright.
The book is crazy-over-the-top. If you like the craziness of Myer's "My Life as ..." Series, you should love this. I never got into that series, and find a similar lack of connection here. No doubt it would appeal to some children (it's intended audience) but probably not if your child is more into the classics (like I was). I did appreciate the lesson the book had about cheating. At least there is a point to the story =)
The book is crazy-over-the-top. If you like the craziness of Myer's "My Life as ..." Series, you should love this. I never got into that series, and find a similar lack of connection here. No doubt it would appeal to some children (it's intended audience) but probably not if your child is more into the classics (like I was). I did appreciate the lesson the book had about cheating. At least there is a point to the story =)
July 28, 2014
When her room is filled with two dozen pirates from the 1700’s sword fighting, TJ Finkelstein yells! The bumbling time travelers Tuna and Herby are at it again. This time they are trying to help TJ write a book report. Unfortunately, the plans don’t always work well for TJ! This is a crazy book that should appeal to elementary aged kids and it has a message of don’t cheat in a fun way to read.
August 5, 2013
A crazy out there book great for pre-teen and teenager girls. It is the 2nd in a series of books about a young lady name TJ and some time travelers. This one focused on cheating and how things we do today can affect our future.
August 11, 2014
Very entertaining book for tweens! Lots of zany mishaps as Tuna and Herby, two 23rd century time travelers mess things up for TJ. But TJ does learn a good lesson on how cheating can change your whole life so it’s best to not cheat!
August 10, 2014
Aaaargh!! is yet another hilarious adventure for TJ. This time she learns the lesson of what happens when you cheat. The book is funny but more serious than the others.
5 stars.
5 stars.
March 27, 2022
Too much dude, goof, pirates, fight Hesper gang, don't cheat. Save cutiddle Dorie. May continue series.
April 26, 2017
My rating 3.5 stars. Well.......This was an interesting read. It was quite fast paced and full of surprising twists and turns. It also had a good lesson about cheating. Yeah, I enjoyed it. It was a little confusing at times. But all in all I liked it. :)
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews