The Time Machine (A Stepping Stone Book(TM)) [Paperback]

John Edens (Adapter), H.G. Wells (Author), Les Martin (Adaptation) (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up | Series: A Stepping Stone Book(TM)

Illus. in black-and-white. When a turn-of-the-century scientist travels into the distant future in his time machine, he expects to find progress and superior people. But instead he discovers a world in decay. Reading level: 2.4.  

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-5-- An adaptation of a major portion of H. G. Wells's classic. Rapid-fire short sentences and sentence fragments set the pace and add to the intensity of the action. The Time Traveler and several of his friends are quickly introduced, and then readers are immediately drawn into the future world. The protagonist narrowly survives his initial travels, returning to tell his friends about his harrowing adventures. He sets off once again, leaving the story's end in question--possibly motivating readers to turn to the original for further exploration. Eden's numerous black-and-white drawings are effective in enhancing the narrative. While certainly not a substitute or replacement for the depth and perspectives offered by the real thing, this version lends itself to presentation and discussion with young readers about the genre and about Wells's creative genius in an era long before Steven Spielberg. --Janie Schomberg, Leal Elementary School, Urbana, IL
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

“[Wells] contrives to give over humanity into the clutches of the Impossible and yet manages to keep it down (or up) to its humanity, to its flesh, blood, sorrow, folly.” —Joseph Conrad

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (August 18, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679803718
• ISBN-13: 978-0679803713
• Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 0.3 x 7.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #164,863 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars About the "Step Into Classics" edition..., September 1, 2002

By 

Matthew Thorn "Matt Thorn" (Kyoto, Kyoto Japan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Time Machine (A Stepping Stone Book(TM)) (Paperback)

Amazon.com has the reviews of various editions thrown together willy-nilly, so let me make clear that my review is of the "Bullseye Step Into Classics" edition, which is a complete rewrite and abridgement of Wells' original. I know many people feel such abridged versions are sacrilegious and yet another sign of the decline of civilization, but they can be a godsend for beginning readers of English. My son has been raised in Japan, and while he can understand spoken English and can speak it fairly well, reading is still difficult. At ten years of age, he is a sophisticated reader of Japanese, so "Dick and Jane" cannot hold his interest. Books like Martin's adaptation of The Time Machine allow him to use and expand his English while also providing entertainment that is not condescending. Martin's adaptation in particular is very good. I read a similar adaptation of Frankenstein (also published by Random House) by Larry Weinberg that was annoying precisely because it is condescending. Just because one is confined to a beginning vocabularly and simple syntax doesn't mean one needs to adopt a Barney-the-Dinosaur tone. My only complaint about Martin's adaptation is his use of incomplete sentences. I understand that he is trying to avoid complex sentences and perhaps create dramatic pauses, but I don't want my son to think that it's all right to write sentences that lack a subject or verb. Random House publishes many of these "streamlined" classics. Keeping in mind that the quality of the adaptations apparently varies, I suggest you read a few pages before deciding to buy any of them. Martin's Time Machine, though, is a winner. It was a real joy to hear my son reading whole English sentences without trouble. The story excited him, and reading the book by himself (with some help from me) boosted his confidence enormously. At this rate, he'll someday be ready for the original century-old text!

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book ever I every enjoyed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, September 4, 2003

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Time Machine (A Stepping Stone Book(TM)) (Paperback)

I like this book The Time Machine (Bullseye Step into Classics) & that is the best book I ever enjoyed & this is adapted by Les Martin & illustrated by John Edens.

The collections that should go in the Bullseye Step into Classics are:

Black Beauty
Oliver Twist
The Time Machine
Treasure Island &
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

This book The Time Machine (Bullseye Step into Classics) reminds my of a paperback book The Secret of the Indian by Lynne Reid Banks & Illustrated by Ted Lewin & Disney's Belle's Magical World on VHS & DVD.

I really loved that book & enjoyed it!

I like it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I loved it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars I thought it was cool!!!!!!!, October 28, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Time Machine (A Stepping Stone Book(TM)) (Paperback)

It was pretty interesting. The most interesting part was when the warlocks caught on fire. I recommend this book for seven year olds up to ten year olds. If the time traveler got stuck in the warlock's homes and they killed him and Ween ran and told her friends what happened then I think it would be a five star book.