Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie Kingsley
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Friday do-over in sweet 3rd book of magic bracelet series.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In TIME AFTER TIME (BEST WISHES, BOOK 3), Lucy gets an unexpected package in the mail: A magic bracelet from a stranger, with instructions that say she gets only one wish and the bracelet will stay on her wrist until she's done—whatever that means. Lucy is focused on today's field trip to the natural history museum, where she gets to be her dad's special assistant to share gems and hopes to win the scavenger hunt. When her dad does something that makes Lucy run out of the museum, she wishes to do the day over again, but that has unexpected results: She has to do over the day until she gets it right—whatever that means. What she thinks is the problem—her dad and the strict librarian on her school field trip—is only a small part of what's making her unhappy. When Lucy stops controlling and starts listening, she sees the way her need to be right affects her decisions and her friendships.
Is It Any Good?
This fun, magic-filled story brings forward common feelings about family changes and emphasizes the importance of honesty in friendships. By repeating the same Friday until Lucy gets it right, Time After Time adds a twist to the process of learning from mistakes. Lucy's responses to waking up on endless Fridays move from annoyed to understanding, and show readers that being real and vulnerable can help bring understanding about tough topics. The idea of getting a do-over to learn to navigate things like remarriage or miscommunication between friends is really appealing, and authors Sarah Mlynowski and Christina Soontornvat weave these gentle lessons into the story in a lovely way.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Lucy's need to take control makes situations more complicated in Time After Time. What could she do differently early on to make a difference in her day even before she overhears Ms. Brock?
How can we take charge of situations and lead in ways that make other people want to join our effort? What makes people not interested in following?
Lucy learns a lot about listening to others' ideas. What have you learned from tough situations with family and friends?
Book Details
- Authors :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , School ( Middle School )
- Character Strengths : Communication , Perseverance
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Scholastic Press
- Publication date : November 7, 2023
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 192
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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