Heather’s Bookshelf: The Quest to Unite Us: Book I of the Marcus Santana Time Travel Chronicles
Author: William de Rham
Released: July 2020
Genre: YA historical fiction/time travel
“A great wave of tiredness washes through me as I realize there’s nothing I can do. I climb down and lie on the narrow bed. Through the opening in the roof, I hear a voice call out: “Eleven o’clock and all’s well.” I fall asleep, hoping it will be true.”
“The Quest to Unite Us” follows the adventures of Marcus Santana, a teenager living in Philadelphia with his family. Like many teens that age, Marcus experiences his doubts about school, his family, and his direction for the future. One day, everything changes when he finds himself transported through time and into the home of Benjamin Franklin.
Marcus finds himself in a whole new world - everyone looks, talks, and thinks differently. But he must adapt and learn quickly or he and those around him may be in danger. Marcus is reminded of a skill that he possesses and puts it to use acting as a scribe for Benjamin Franklin and the Constitutional Convention. It is in this role that he learns about the development of and the decisions behind how the Constitution of the United States came to be.
This book is filled with historical references and it really does transport you back to 1787 in Philadelphia. The depiction of the market I found to be especially vivid and interesting. The overall focus of the story is placed on Benjamin Franklin - his thoughts, roles, health, and even some of his inventions. It also introduces you to other notable historical figures including George Washington and Alexander Hamilton. I enjoyed reading the detail and attention paid to the specifics of the time period and the environment.
Overall, if you are interested in Benjamin Franklin, the making of the constitution, or are looking for a book that recounts what happened at the Constitutional Convention, then this is the book for you. I enjoyed the depiction of Benjamin Franklin. Unfortunately, I did not feel a connection to the title character, Marcus, and found the supposed romance with Elise to be nothing more than a school boy crush. As such, I found the read to be interesting from a historical standpoint but a little dry from a story telling and character development standpoint.
I received a copy of this story in exchange of a fair and honest review.
OVERALL REVIEW:
Interesting read, recommended for those looking for a pretty straight forward but detailed historical depiction of Benjamin Franklin or the development of the U.S. Constitution
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