Reviewed by: Susan Johnson, MyShelf.Com
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We all have bad days and 7th grader Kevin is having a doozie. He is running late for school and his little brother has just broken his most prized possession, an antique blue bottle. Things simply could not get any worse, right? Wrong!

Upon arriving a school the class bully takes up his usual torture session and informs the teacher and the class that Kevin has not started on a paper that is due the next day. Luckily Kevin's four friends come to his aid and agree to come help him after school.

Thank heavens for best friends-Naomi, a Chinese-American girl, Tasha, an African American girl, and Michael, a Mexican boy. These friends all bind together to help Kevin complete his assignment on time

At Kevin's house after school. Michael suggests that Kevin access the Internet to gain information for his paper. Kevin knows he is not supposed to without his father's consent, but upon his friends urging, gives in. The trouble then begins in earnest.

On the computer screen, a troubled young girl runs down the wooden sidewalk of an old west town, then all at once several things happen and the four youngsters find themselves transported back in time. The youngsters soon realize that they are in the Old West town of Brodie during the Gold Rush. They are also stunned to see the young girl they had just seen on the screen walking toward them.

Kevin realizes that he must find a way to return he and his friends to their own homes and time in history but they also realize that they must help the young girl they have come to know as Sarah. It has become obvious to them that her stepfather is physically abusing her and they feel they must help her escape his tyranny.

This book was well written and fast-paced. The details about the Gold Rush era were factual and added real depth to the story. The multicultural friendships were refreshing and made the characters believable and real. Great read!