First of all a big thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publishers for sending me a copy of this to read and review.

It has been a hell of a long time since I have read a middle grade. This was charming and funny and I couldn’t / didn’t want to stop reading about their adventure. The friendship between the three of them was top tier and I loved how it included heroes from different times. This book was so interesting and I love how it was told in a game format. How we got to see them go through puzzles, riddles and adventures. And cloud. Cloud was the best.

"When Arthur, Ren and Cecily investigate a mysterious explosion on their way to school, they find themselves trapped aboard The Principia – a scientific research ship sailing through hazardous waters, captained by one Isaac Newton.
Lost in the year 2473 in the Wonderscape, an epic in-reality adventure game, they must call on the help of some unlikely historical heroes, to play their way home before time runs out."

The first thing that really stood out for me is how the book went straight into the action. Children still lacking in reading stamina can find it difficult to persevere with books where they have to read quite a lot before the plot gets exciting. This is not one of those books. The excitement starts in chapter 1 and keeps going the entire way through the book.
I loved the gaming link and how historical figures played a part in the narrative. I liked trying to figure out the clues alongside the main characters too. I know the children at school are really going to enjoy all of these elements too!
I also liked how the three main characters all had their own difficulties or issues but that they never became cliched or stock 'troubled' children.

A fast-paced, adventure game of a book, perfect for UKS2.

Had I been a little younger, I know that I would have LOVED this, so I'm marking it up for that reason. Three misfit kids who accidentally end up going on a wonderful adventure in which they have to overcome their fears, outsmart their enemies, and learn to depend on each other in order to win and return home. What's not to love about that?! The author has taken care to write an inclusive and diverse story and to show that each of us has a different set of skills that should be valued, and also includes some really fun gimmicks into her world to showcase this, such as the wondercloaks. Definitely a great read for middle schoolers!

Before reading this I saw a few people say how it had Jumanji vibes and that was the main thing that made me pick it up, so when I read this I was not disappointed. I love a book with any sort of game or tournament so this book was perfect for me to read. I really enjoyed the futuristic in-reality game that Jennifer Bell created here and it was a quick and fun read which I devoured in one sitting. I could not put the book down and had to keep reading to find out what other historical figures they met on their adventure and what challenges they would face along the way I finding their way back home. The book starts with a line about exploding gnomes so I had no doubt from that first sentence that this book would be action packed every step of the way.

I loved learning about the main three characters as the book progressed, all 3 have very different lives and seeing them not only get to know each other after being thrown together into this game (and the future), but also learning to trust each other and form friendships was so heartwarming. I loved how not all of the historical heroes were ones that we may have heard of, and the little pieces of their histories we got in the story made me want to go and research them to learn more about their lives and achievements (Wangari Maathai was such an inspirational, independent woman, I definitely recommend researching her work and accomplishments).

This took me by surprise. I have stopped reading middle grade for a bit reading too many titles to pass on to my 9yo sister.

But this is like Ready Player One - one of my favourite books of all time, but in a more whimsical, accesible manner. The lovely kids that we meet who are thrust into a virtual reality game in the future, are just so relatable and fun to follow. I flee through it and I can’t believe how much fun this was.

It has LGBTQIA+ rep which was nice to see.

Overall, I enjoyed it immensly, but more so did my sister, which is the best outcome.

A really good read for pre teens, something to entice a gaming based generation to read. An adventure story that captures my 10 year olds imagination and is relatable with video gaming!
With historical references and an action packed speed through adventure in a video game I am not sure what there is to dislike about this book!

I was lucky to receive a Netgalley Arc from Walker Books of Wonderscape by Jennifer Bell and all I can say is just wow wow. Wonderscape is the story of three schoolkids who are called George, Rin and Ciecely who go to a empty house where an explosion as happened. Next thing they find themselves on a ship which is captained by none other than Isaac Newton and the year is 2473. To get back home to their time they have to enter an epic reality game called Wonderscape. I found this a rip roaring all action story which both boys and girls would enjoy . I loved Jennifer Bell's writing style she kept the metal to the pedal. I gave the story 4 stars as I found the scenes on the ship very slow.

This book is great. My son was playing lots of games on the computer so we sat and read this. It was great interaction and we talked a lot about what would happen if he got pulled into a computer game.
Really opened up his imagination with the setting and the characters.

Equal parts thrilling and inspiring, Wonderscape is a fantastic mash of history and the future that had me hooked right from the get-go! With a stereotype-smashing trio leading the fore, it was hard not to be sucked up into the wonderscape myself!

This was such a great idea for a middle grade adventure and brilliantly plotted. The book starts in the present day when three children - Arthur, Ren and Cecily - who don't really know each other, end up being transported to the year 2473 and find themselves inside a game. This game has different 'realms', each one set around a different historical figure and the children have to solve challenges within the realm to escape.

I loved the selection of historical characters as there was such a good range, from the very familiar to some I hadn't heard of. The adventures the children had were so imaginative with just the right amount of danger and peril. We also saw the characters develop themselves, as each had their own insecurities and challenges to face. The development of their friendship unfolded slowly but authentically and by the end you could see the team they had formed.

It was the perfect balance of a great plot and strong character development (not always seen in middle grade) with themes of individuality, courage and friendship. Will definitely be adding this to the recommended reads shelf in the library.

Gaming and time-travel come together seamlessly to create this unique new sci-fi adventure from Jennifer Bell.

Arthur is on his way to school when an explosion at a nearby house stops him in his tracks. When he's joined by two girls from school, Ren and Cecily, they decide to investigate in order to help a dog they believe is still within the house. Before we know it, the trio, along with Cloud (the dog), end up trapped, lost in a in-reality adventure game in the year 2473. Together, they must navigate their way through each level to find their way home before they run out of time.

From the very beginning, this is an exciting book and you're drawn quickly into the plots as the trio have to quickly learn to work together as a team whilst they make their way through each level in order to make it out alive. In fact, I particularly like the fact that the action begins so quickly and you get to know the characters as they travel though each level as the story progresses and, despite their different backgrounds, Arthur, Ren and Cecily quickly become friends.

Although this is very much a sci-fi novel, the worlds the children have to make their way through are not those you would necessarily associate with this genre of writing and include a scientific research ship and a Gothic castle, with each new level so detailed you'll be able to visualise them perfectly. And the additional inclusion of real-life heroes in the form of historical characters such as Sir Issac Newton and Mary Shelley to help the children in their quest adds an extra historical element to the story that readers will love.

This is a clever idea for a fast-paced plot that will have gamers and non-gamers of all ages completed immersed. With messages about overcoming fears, believing in yourself and valuing friendship, this is the perfect adventure to get lost in this summer - and, by the way, Cloud is by far my favourite character!

WOW! Wonderscape is the story of three kids who get flung into the future and begin playing and IRG (and In Relaity Game) to try and find their way home again. Helped by a technologically advanced dog, and some incredibly important people from history, you join them every step of the way to get back in time for school. I loved Wonderscape, and really hope there's a book 2!

I really liked our main characters, Arthur, Ren and Cecily. Each one of them has something unique that they bring to the team and I really enjoyed seeing them work together to solve puzzles and help each other escape enemies and dangerous situations. I also enjoyed getting to discover all these different realms along with our main characters. It was really fun to see the characters travel from realm to realm and having to figure out the puzzles to be solved in each one. Overall, this book was a lot of fun and one that both children and older readers will definitely really enjoy. It also offers a great way for young readers to discover various historical figures that they might not know much about, such as Wangari Maathai and Tomoe Gozen.

Brilliant book! My 11 yo daughter was really impressed by the unusual settings and the mix of elements that kept her entertained. A great book for an 8+ audience.

What an adventure! This new story by Jennifer Bell is a fantastic face-paced middle grade that made me want to jump into an in-reality game like Wonderscape as soon a I finished the book.

We follow Arthur, Ren & Cecily who look for a dog in house near their route to school after an explosion occurs. They somehow end up sent to the future and part of an in-reality game called 'Wonderscape'.
They meet the first hero of the realm, Issac Newton, who figures out that they are not where they are supposed to be. Turns out they are on a time limit to get back to their own time, or they get deleted by the game! The only way to get home is to find one of the owners of the game Milo Hertz, but he disappeared a few years back with no explanation. They have to learn to work together in each realm to get to the heroes to give them clues on how to get home, but as they do they seem to find more sinister goings on in the Wonderscape game.

I absolutely loved this book, it was thrilling and fun with real sense of doom as the three are against the clock. The world building of the futuristic setting is wonderful written, as are the old time heroes the author put in these new settings, a great blend of history and imagination!

The characters were great, Author is shy at first, Ren stony quiet and Cecily hiding behind the wall of her popular facade, all having their own problems at home or in school but together they grow and trust in each other making for a wonderful friendship to be formed.

I will definitely be giving the author Jennifer Bell's other series 'The Uncommoners' a go now that I know how how much I enjoy her writing!

Thank you to Walkers Books and Netgalley for an early eArc of the book!

A fantastic book that takes the adventure of Jumanji and pairs it with the wonder of meeting real historical heroes.

Wonderscape takes our POV character thirteen-year-old Arthur, as well as two girls from his class, Cecily and Ren, on a whirlwind adventure through a virtual reality game in the twenty-fifth century. At the beginning, the three teenagers don't know much about each other. Arthur thinks that Cecily is stuck up and doesn't know much about new girl at school Ren. His discovery that their personalities are much deeper and more intricate than their outward appearances is a really good lesson for children - and adults! - to take from this book.

The atmosphere in this book was spectacular. Despite there being lots of different surroundings to describe, each virtual realm felt as real and exciting as the last. The teenagers travel on a boat with Isaac Newton, over the desert in a hot-air balloon with a futuristic explorer and on a safari with Kenyan political activist, Wangari Maathi. The atmosphere also really complemented the plot and added to the high stakes adventure that our three heroes go on throughout the novel.

All in all, this book is a really exciting look into the future of children's literature. Bell's character and atmosphere work were the shining stars here but her plot and writing were incredibly accessible and fast-moving. There would be no chance for any reader to be bored reading Wonderscape!

An enjoyable read which blends the worlds of online gaming and children's adventure stories. The main characters show diversity and the value of not judging others by their looks/friendship group/background without being too 'judgy'.

this was a super fun middle grade following three children jumping into a portal sending them on a journey through. jumanji like world with so many trials and tribulations that have the kids have to figure out and beat to safely get hoe.

of course all is not smooth sailing as on the way the children meet so many different bumps in the road and have to use their knowledge and skills to get past these obstacles.

this was such a fun reading experience and very much enjoyed it. the owl building and the different places they went were so cool and unique

Wonderscape opens with potentially the greatest opening line that has ever been written: “It was early morning and Arthur was already running late for school when the gnomes exploded”. Bam. Hooked! When Arthur and his friends investigate the seemingly abandoned house where the explosion came from in order to rescue a runaway dog, they’re transported through time and space to the Wonderscape, an IRAG—In reality adventure game, where they must travel from realm to realm and complete a challenge set by the realm’s “hero” - a famous figure from History! Each realm brings it’s own quirks, and its own dangers, and is filled with mimics—robots made in the image of the game’s creators, three siblings who formed Hxperion and built the Wonderscape. But one of the creators is nowhere to be seen, and Arthur, Ren and Cecily desperately need his help to return to their own time— he is the “key” to their escape—but will they find him in the short time they have before they’re all turned to protoplasm?

I absolutely loved the concept of Wonderscape, I’m not a gamer, but I can see how this will massively appeal to a middle grade audience, a classic “other worlds” tale with the added twist of the gaming element. As a teacher, I’m always looking to find texts that will prise my learners away from their screens, but engage and interest them and Jennifer has struck the perfect balance of gaming and adventure in this middle grade fantasy—her world-building is simply incredible—I was immersed in the sounds, smells and challenges of each realm. The inclusion of historical figures gives a genuine educational element, while children may be familiar with Isaac Newton, some heroes are less well-known (I had to Google them!) and deserve to have their stories told and achievements celebrated. My absolute favourite feature of Wonderscape was the Wondercloaks—love this concept, as well as being able to buy anything at all from a vending machine and taking on wonderskills!

I was totally immersed in the Wonderscape and engrossed by solving each riddle and challenge using the clever clues and breadcrumbs Jennifer leaves. A fantastic MG adventure with messages about teamwork, conservation, greed, and the ethical use of technology. Absolutely perfect for the modern tween/teen, fans of time travel, sci-fi, or Strangeworlds. I do hope there’s a return to the Wonderscape so I can “travel with wonder” once again!

Having met Jennifer Bell when she came to talk to my students I knew I had to read her latest book. It is full of adventure and all of my pupils will be hearing about it. A fantastic read!