Westfallen by Ann Brashares and Ben Brashares

Westfallen by Ann Brashares and Ben Brashares (384 Pages)

Summary: Henry, Frances, and Lukas are neighbors, and they used to be best friends. But in middle school Frances got emo, Lukas went to private school, and Henry just felt left behind. When they come together again for the funeral of a pet gerbil, the three ex-friends make a mind-blowing discovery: a radio, buried in Henry’s backyard, that allows them to talk to another group of kids in the same town...in the same backyard...eighty years in the past. The kids in 1944 want to know about the future: Are there laser guns? Flying cars? Jetpacks, at least? Most of all, they want to know about the outcome of the world war their dad and brothers are fighting in. Though Henry is cautious—he’s seen movies about what happens when you disrupt the fabric of time—soon the present-day kids are sending their new friends on a mission to rescue a doomed candy store. What harm could that do? But one change leads to another, and when the six friends alter history in the biggest way possible, it’s up to them to change it back.

Opinion: This is a sci-fi kids chapter book with historic elements and a Truman Award nominee for 2026-2027. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone, adult or kid. I particularly appreciated the switching of POVs from Alice (1944) to Henry (present). This book tackles really tough topics and ethical/philosophical considerations that are meant to challenge the reader. It's also just an incredibly fast paced, fun action book to read. I'll definitely be reading the second book in this series to satisfy the cliffhanger ending of this first book.