Science News for KIDS

National Geographic Kids Shop



Search
PuzzleZoneGameZoneSciFiZoneSciFairZoneLabZoneTeacherZone

You've Got to Read This One!

New reviews:

[book]

The Time Machine — H.G. Wells
Originally published in 1895

The Time Machine is a science fiction story by H.G. Wells, a famous English author. It was first published in 1895. It's about a man who invents a time machine that he uses to travel to the year 802 701.

In that year, the world is controlled by beings that live underground called the Morlocks. The Morlocks control a humanlike group of beings that live on the surface of Earth. They are called the Eloi. The Morlocks treat the Eloi very badly. They butcher and cook the Eloi as a source of food. They are strict carnivores, and the Eloi are terrified of them.

The Time Traveler spends most of his time on Earth's surface with the friendly Eloi. He ends up saving the life of an Eloi named Weena. Weena becomes dedicated to the Time Traveler and accompanies him in his exploration of the world as it existed in 802 701.

The Time Traveler becomes an enemy of the Morlocks. This causes them to attack the Time Traveler, who uses the fire from matches to win over them. Unfortunately, the matches start a forest fire that injures the Morlocks and also kills his good friend Weena. The angry Morlocks try to capture him, but he frees himself and his time machine (which had been captured by the Morlocks). He uses it to escape from the year 802 701. Before the Time Traveler returns to his time, he sees glimpses of the future. He sees the end of the world starting to take form.

Then, the Time Traveler returns to his own time. He tells his friends what had happened to him. They, unfortunately, do not believe him.

I think that the main idea that the author tried to express is that mistreatment of others now will lead to a sad future—just as the Morlocks abuse the Eloi and use them as a food source. H.G. Wells used the example of the friends not believing the Time Traveler as an example of mistreatment in the present. I think people should pay more attention to this concept because this might be true some day.

Amara, Grade 6

More reviews

Your Turn

What did you like most about a science fiction book you've read? Was there a great science idea? What were the characters like? What would you say to a friend to persuade him or her to try this book? What age kids do you think would enjoy it?

Tell us about your favorite science fiction book, in 250 words or less. Include the book's name, author, and publisher.

Submitting a book recommendation grants Science News for Kids permission to post it on our Web site. The contributor will be acknowledged by first name and either age, grade, or city. We'll post your recommendation here. But we reserve the right to edit submissions for clarity and content.

Please submit book reviews by e-mail to scifi author Julie E. Czerneda at jczerneda@snkids.com. Include your first and last names, age, grade, and mailing address. Also include a note of permission from your parent or guardian.


Talk Back: Do you have a favorite science fiction book? Tell us about it using the form below.

I have my parent's permission to submit this.

First name: Age:
City: State:
E-mail:
Comment:



Last week's challenge
Challenge Archive

Recommended scifi books archive

Art gallery

Ask an author
E-mail your scifi questions to scifi2@snkids.com
Answers to previous questions

Privacy Statement | About Us | Sponsors | Our Weekly Science News Magazine | Contact Us

Copyright © 2008 Society for Science & the Public. All rights reserved.
1719 N St., NW, Washington, DC 20036 | 202-785-2255 | editor@snkids.com