by Questlove
First published 2023
Rahim Reynolds can't wait to test his friend Kasia's latest invention. The brilliant seventh grader has built him a special cell phone for his birthday, even though his parents forbid him from having one. Rahim wants to use it to search for videos of his favorite old-school rap group. But Kasia's phone contains a secret battery that connects to a government satellite. When Rahim switches it on, the device sends him back to 1997 Philadelphia. Stranded in the past, Rahim discovers that his actions threaten to change the future. Kasia becomes his only connection to the present day. She guides him from 2023 while dodging suspicious government agents who want to know about her technology. Meanwhile, Rahim navigates the dangers of 1997, including bullies who make his life difficult. The two friends must work together across time to bring Rahim home safely before his presence in the past creates permanent damage.
Genres: science-fiction, adventure, time-travel, action
Vibes: fast-paced, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family
Setting: Philadelphia, 2023
Period: 1997, 2023
240 pages · Hardcover · G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers