When ten-year-old Ethan is visited by his time-traveling future self and told he must keep his class from tormenting a substitute teacher—or risk her becoming an evil dictator who destroys the world—he faces chaos, friendship drama, and the challenge of making a difference as just one kid. Blending humor, illustrations, and relatable school struggles, the story explores how small acts of kindness can have big consequences and touches on themes of friendship, change, and the unpredictability of growing up.

Reader Review Summary

Set in a contemporary elementary school, the story follows Ethan, a ten-year-old fourth grader whose life is upended by repeated visits from his 39-year-old future self. Future Ethan, who dresses in bizarre outfits and speaks in confusing pseudo-scientific jargon, tasks young Ethan with a seemingly impossible mission: ensure that the class’s substitute teacher, Ms. Evans, doesn’t quit, or she will become an evil dictator who destroys the world. The plot unfolds with Ethan navigating the chaos of his unruly classmates, a spit wad war, a disastrous school lunch that leads to food poisoning, and the challenge of befriending Tamara, a new student and struggling reader who is destined to invent time travel. The narrative is interspersed with illustrations, short chapters, and a fast-paced, humorous tone reminiscent of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, making it accessible to younger middle grade readers. Themes of friendship, the impact of small acts of kindness, and the anxiety of growing apart from childhood friends are woven throughout the story.

Readers appreciated the book’s humor, quick pacing, and the integration of illustrations, which made it appealing to both avid and reluctant readers. The depiction of school life, including classroom antics, friendship drama, and relatable worries about losing friends as one grows up, resonated with the target audience. The character of Ethan, with his entertaining inner monologue and realistic concerns, was highlighted as engaging, and the dynamic between Ethan and his future self added comedic and emotional depth. The inclusion of Tamara, a character with learning challenges who ultimately plays a pivotal role in the future, was noted positively. Many reviewers mentioned that the book was easy to read, with larger font and short chapters, and that it worked well as an audiobook. Parents and children alike found the story entertaining, and several noted that the book’s underlying messages about kindness and not judging others were effectively conveyed without being heavy-handed.

Some readers found aspects of the plot or school setting unrealistic, such as the handling of substitute teachers and the process of becoming a school librarian. A few adults expressed discomfort with the depiction of disrespectful student behavior toward teachers, even though they acknowledged that children would likely find it funny. The time travel elements were described as confusing at times, though this was attributed to the story being told from a child’s perspective. Multiple reviewers commented that the book felt like a sequel, as Ethan references previous visits from his future self, which left some feeling that important backstory was missing. There were also minor criticisms regarding the lack of clarity in racial representation in the illustrations and the plausibility of certain school procedures.

The book is scheduled for publication in June 2025 and is co-authored by Wes Molebash and Leah Cypess. It is categorized as middle grade science fiction and has received an average reader rating of 4.33 out of 5 from 21 ratings and 14 full reviews. The story is profanity-free and contains no sexual content, making it suitable for school and public libraries. The narrative addresses topics such as the unpredictability of friendships over time, the value of kindness, and the idea that even small actions can have significant consequences. The book is recommended for readers in grades 2-5 and is positioned as a humorous, illustrated introduction to science fiction for younger audiences.