Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
September 12, 2025
Time-Travel Novel Explores Cold War History for Young Readers
TLDR
- Readers gain insight into overcoming oppressive systems through personal courage and strategic thinking in this time-travel adventure.
- The novel explains fascism and Cold War history through a child's time-travel journey to save her father in East Berlin.
- This story teaches children about historical oppression while empowering them with themes of inner strength and resilience.
- A young girl discovers a time machine in her uncle's cellar to rescue her father from East Berlin's prison system.
Impact - Why it Matters
This novel matters because it introduces younger generations to complex historical events like the Cold War and life under totalitarian regimes in an accessible, engaging way. By framing difficult topics like fascism and political oppression within an exciting adventure story, it helps children understand important historical lessons without overwhelming them. The book's educational approach to 20th century history helps preserve the memory of significant events like the Berlin Wall's impact, ensuring that future generations learn from the past while developing critical thinking skills about political systems and human rights.
Summary
In "The Wandspringer," a captivating middle-grade time travel novel by author Robert C. Edgar, young protagonist Ellie embarks on a perilous journey to Cold War-era East Berlin to rescue her imprisoned father. After discovering her eccentric uncle's secret time machine, Ellie travels back in time seeking the legendary spy known as The Wandspringer for assistance, but ultimately discovers her own inner strength and resourcefulness during the adventure. The novel creatively addresses complex historical themes, explaining fascism and totalitarian regimes in an age-appropriate manner while immersing readers in the post-World War II division of Germany and the realities of life behind the Iron Curtain.
Published by Foolscap & Quill, an independent Colorado-based publisher with over 35 years of experience, "The Wandspringer" is widely available in both paperback and ebook formats through online booksellers and brick-and-mortar stores worldwide. The book will receive special recognition during the York Literature Festival's Autumn Fest, with an official launch event scheduled for October 23 at 6 p.m. at the York Explore Library, where readers can learn more about upcoming events through the library's comprehensive whats-on calendar. Author Robert C. Edgar, a professor of writing and popular culture at York St John University, brings his expertise in creative writing, screenwriting, and cultural studies to this educational yet thrilling narrative.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by 24-7 Press Release. Read the original source here, Time-Travel Novel Explores Cold War History for Young Readers
