Time Travel for Curious MindsPenelope Wise & The Coin That Sparkled. The story follows a remarkable young girl who discovers she can travel through time, meeting people from vastly different cultures and eras. Each journey teaches her how humans have survived, traded, and built communities in their own ways - whether through bartering, early forms of currency, or shared resources.But Penelope's greatest challenges aren't in the past. At school, she faces bullying and the quiet cruelty of social media. Her time-travelling gift becomes a lifeline, helping her understand courage, compassion, and the power of standing up for herself and others.At the heart of her journey is the
tally stick, a powerful anchor in the story. More than a simple artifact, it carries the weight of centuries - recording debts, betrayals, acts of cruelty, and the small but meaningful wrongs people hoped time would erase. As Penelope learns to read its marks, she begins to understand how the past shapes the present, and how even the smallest choices ripple across generations.Blending adventure, myth, intimidation that many teens experience, and a deeply human coming-of-age arc. The story is empowering and offers young readers and families the hidden strength needed to see their own challenges through the lens of wisdom, resilience, respect and hope.Christine Thompson-WellsBA Ed Dip of Teach, MACEA
