Do you dream of  zipping through the galaxy in a spaceship? I don’t. But if you answered yes, you might like Space Bingo by Tony Abbott (1996, 90 pages). It’s the first in the Time Surfers series of eight books. The publisher recommends this book for ages 7-10.

From Goodreads:

Ned Banks is miserable.  He’s the new kid in school–and he sticks out like a sore thumb.  His life is going downhill fast.  Until something happens.  Ned’s not  sure how he did it–but he beamed two kids from the year 2099 into his bedroom closet!  Roop and Suzi are Time Surfers–cool kids who travel through time.  And they want Ned to join them!  Of course Ned says yes.  He’s ready for excitement! Action! But he might get more than he bargained for.

This book is all action and may appeal to kids who like the idea of zooming around in a spaceship. I appreciated the fact that the characters were of three different races. At one point in the story the kids from the future take Ned to their world. I was disappointed this future wasn’t more interesting, beyond the shiny clothes and more instantly appearing food that one would expect. This is a very simple story that would probably be too juvenile even for most third graders. I did not find it intriguing enough to want to read the second in the series. I don’t think it’s funny enough to make it worth reading out loud to my seven year old.