Martin inherited his grandmother's spiritual side, and when he received an antique radio of his grandfather's he was somehow transported back to London during the bombing by the Nazis. This enabled him to find out the truth about not only his grandfather, but also some supposed heroes. In the process, his relationships with his sister, mother, and especially his alcoholic father were changed forever. ( )

Not time travel as such. More a reaching out and forgiving through time. Though there was a certain amount of comeuppance as well. I preferred the forgiveness, myself. A good book. Good characters, nice growth in relationships. ( )

I quite enjoyed London Calling by Edward Bloor, a time travelling story where a young American boy from 2005 travels back to 1940 London during the Blitz by way of an old radio that he inherited from his grandmother. He meets up with another young boy who seems to expect him and who requires him to witness certain events. These events are then used in the future to resolve certain issues. Along the way, his family gets a new direction that puts them on the road to healing.

This is a YA book and I think a very good one, but it is very slow at the start and I don’t know if it would hold the attention of a younger person long enough for them to get immersed in the plot. If they stick with it, they will be rewarded with a very good story that is interesting and has a degree of complexity. The main character is a Catholic and spiritual beliefs come into play as well.

London Calling would be an excellent introduction or jumping off place for young readers to learn about the Blitz. ( )

Seventh-grader Martin Conway believes that his life is monotonous and dull until the night the antique radio he uses as a night-light transports him to the bombing of London.

Decently entertaining and ethical without being ridiculously preachy. Martin travels through time via an old radio, meeting a young boy during the Blitz in 1940 London. He's confused by being pressed to "do his bit" and unravel a mystery of the boy's father. His own father is an alcoholic but Martin still manages a surprisingly healthy relationship with him. Of course time travel is unrealistic, but there are other unrealistic aspects to this novel. Still, worth a look ( )