Billy loves using his metal detector in his back garden, and although his beloved pull tab collection is growing, he wishes he could find something really interesting. Maybe a change in venue will make a difference? Armed with rope, his father’s gumboots and his trusty dog Shakespeare at his side, he ventures down to the end of the garden.

It is gloomy, muddy, prickly and not-very-nice. And that’s the least of his worries. His metal detector suddenly goes crazy and a golden crown appears up through the dirt! And then its very grumpy, posh, and royal owner too! Queen Victoria is NOT happy at being sucked through her ceiling from 1882! She’s not the only visitor from another realm that Billy suddenly has to cope with. It seems he has found a wormhole and it is collecting people and creatures alike and dumping them on his backyard!

Meanwhile, a group of scientists have registered this phenomenon and are keen to track it down. The police are called, the media is on the lookout, and Billy is trying to sort it all out before his Mum and Dad get home!

Starting off with a boy and a plan, a snoozing nana and a quiet afternoon, this story is suddenly tipped on its head, with surprise after surprise, a time-bending conundrum and lots of laughs. Really enjoyed this junior novel. Extra activities and quizzes in the back are an added bonus.

Author – Tom McLaughlin

Age – 6+

(2019, Harper Collins, Wormhole, Time-Travel, Queen Victoria, Metal Detecting, Antiques Roadshow, Humour, Funny, Crazy, Dinosaurs, Soldiers)