Disclaimer: Author Christy Monson is one of my best friends. But I can say without any qualms that her new middle-grade novel, Texting Through Time, is a great little book, and I’m not saying that because she twisted my arm. Honest!

Actually, I begged for the privilege of being on her blog tour.

Some phones are smarter than others.

In the new book, “Texting Through Time,” published by Cedar Fort, Micah and Alicia’s phone is so smart it can take kids back in time. The siblings accidentally trigger the experimental time-travel app and land at Brigham Young’s side.

In order to get back to their own time, the kids must figure out how to use the phone and then journal about what’s happening by sending text messages. Their adventure takes them to key scenes throughout President Young’s life, from his 11th birthday party to excitement along the pioneer trail to his later years as a prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Today’s kids will love reading about interesting and often little-known details about President Young’s life. With modern-day Micah and Alicia, they’ll learn what it was like to be a kid in New England, go on the trek West, and live in frontier Utah.

“Texting Through Time” is skillfully written by first-time author Christy Monson. Details are thoroughly researched, but Monson never forgets to keep the young reader in mind. The characters and dialog feel realistic and will make it easy for kids to relate to the story. There are spiritual lessons to be learned as well, and Monson keeps these moments age-appropriate and never preachy.

Charming illustrations by Rosalie Ledezma add fun and interest to the pages. (ahem from Proud Margot…Rosalie is my daughter) See some cute previews of these drawings at Confessions of a Logophiliac.

The pre-teen crowd would love finding this delightful book under the Christmas tree. Find more information about it at www.textingthroughtime.com or www.christymonson.com.