Author: Jon Scieszka
Illustrator: Adam McCauley
Format: Paperback
Published: Penguin Books, 2004

From the publisher: It was Sam's bright idea to look for the inventor of The Book. But when the guys land in fifteenth-century Italy, they meet up with Leonardo da Vinci. You probably know that Leonardo da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa. Did you know that he also invented an early version of a helicopter and a tank, and that he planned to execute the Time Warp Trio for spying on his inventions? Now it’s going to take at least three more bright ideas, two magic tricks, and one great invention to get the guys out of hot water and safely back home. . . .

In each book in the series, a magic book whisks the Time Warp Trio back in time, where they invariably find themselves embrolied in an outrageous adventure. More challenging than early chapter book series like The Magic Treehouse, The Time Warp Trio books are slim and packed with action and Scieszka's particular brand of irreverent humor. They are the perfect bridge into longer novels and an excellent choice for reluctant readers. Best of all, the immensely popular anti-heroes will have kids laughing out loud as they learn a lot.