Sent by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Sent by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Science Fiction, Adventure

Age 10-13

Grade 5-8

 313 pages, hardcover,

 c. 2009

            Sent is the 2^nd book in the Missing series. Found, the 1^st book,  sets up the situation of the missing children of history that have been kidnapped by some time agents from the future Their plan was to sell these famous children to parents in the future. Another group of time agents are trying to stop them and send these children back to their proper time in history. This will restore time and prevent “ripples” that could alter the present and the future.

            The following books in the series deal with different “missing” children. At the end of each book there is an author’s note in which Haddix gives the actual historical background of the events described. Each event has unresolved questions and Haddix does an excellent job of mixing the historical facts with the fiction. Each of the historical events is interesting in themselves and I think many of the readers will be prompted to do some research themselves.

            In Sent, Chip, who is really Edward V, rightful king of England and Alex, who is really Richard, Duke of York, his younger brother, along with Jonas and Katherine are sent back to the 15^th century. They have been promised by JB, time traveler, that if they can “fix time” he will allow them all to return to the 21^st century. However, according to “history” Edward and Richard died in the Tower of London and their uncle, Richard III became king of England. What really happened is that the boys vanished in 1483. Workmen renovating the Tower of London in 1674 found skeletons that were assumed to be the boys but in 1933 when scientists were given permission to study the skeletons they couldn’t tell if the bones were male or female.

            Jonas and Katherine manage to save Chip and Alex from being murdered in their sleep and with help from JB and another disguised time traveler also save them from being killed at the Battle of Bosworth. There are ghostly versions of the missing children called “tracers” which are only visible to the time travelers. They show what exactly happened in history. When the missing children merge with their tracers they become visible to those in that world. While they are merged they gain the historic figures memories and beliefs but are also able to maintain their own memories. They can separate from their tracers whenever they want but the longer they stay connected the more they become that historical person. Thus there were times when Chip was determined to fight his uncle and regain his crown.

            Alex, in the 21^st century,  is described as an agnostic but when he is merged with his tracer he expresses the Christian beliefs of Richard. Once back in the 21th century he has an interesting exchange with JB. "You believe in God?" Alex asked JB incredulously. "But you know how to travel through time. You're a scientist." He hesitated. "Aren't you?"
JB rolled his eyes.
"It amazes me how people of your time set up such a dichotomy between science and religion. Fortunately, that only lasts for another... well I can't tell you that ... But I assure you, the more I travel through time, the more I witness, the more I realize that there are things that are both strange and wonderful, far beyond human comprehension."