Rowan is helping her older sister paint her room. After moving Ash’s furniture to reach a wall, Rowan finds a beautiful blue ring that suddenly transports them back in time.

They find themselves still inside their home but decades before. A party is in full swing, and after realising where they are, nineteen year old Ash decides to make the most of it. Rowan however is much more conspicuous at only thirteen.

Rowan finds her way back home, but Ash is nowhere to be found.

With the help of a magical family friend (named Verity), Rowan learns more about this house she was born in. She has a special affinity with it, and it will always look out for her, but everyone at home is beginning to worry about the missing Ash.

Their parents wouldn’t believe her if she told them what she’s experienced, so Rowan aids Verity in finding what she needs to retrieve Ash from the past.

But it’s not going to be easy. Rowan meets likeable people in her houses’ past and it’s hard to leave them behind or learn their fates in real time.

Time travel itself presents its own problems and rules and Rowan has to try to undo something that she inadvertently changes on one of her ‘trips’ while also avoiding the past Verity.

I’m a fan of Time Travel stories and Tumbleglass is a fantastic read. The story has a fresh perspective even if the problems are recognisable, and the extra layer of magic adds even more to the story.

Tumbleglass has a special house that hosts these time shifts or jumps, and it also affects day to day life too, swallowing everyday items or presenting them to you when it thinks you need them.

Each time trip shows a piece of Australian history which is also applicable and interesting for readers from anywhere in the world – a peaceful protest rally, the second world war and more events that we can all relate to.

Author – Kate Constable

Age – 10+

(2023, Allen & Unwin, Action, family, Siblings, Sisters, Jewellery, Ring, Magic, Glass, Time Travel, Time Jump, House, Historical, Present, Family Friend, Mystery, Relationships, Secrets, Changing Time changing present)