Fun, light-hearted, escapist fiction is what I was in the mood for, and this novel fills the bill. The four “Paleo” teens are wacky, funny, but always true to each other despite any misgivings they might have about a team member. When transplanted into 21st Century Los Angeles, they are quick to adapt to the language (thanks to a magical golden sea shell), and quick to adapt to TV, fast food, shopping malls, household appliances, and of course, roller coaster and theme park rides.

They are uncannily wise, because in their world, the life span is much shorter--their age 14 is smarter than our present day 30 and up.

Lots of quotable quotes and memorable scenes. I enjoyed seeing skin-heads put in their place while the dark-skinned teens show their mettle. The domineering father, the son who wants to do more than inherit his dad's carpet business, and a selfish diva of a girlfriend may come across as cliches, but they keep tension and conflict going, and readers turning pages.

I also enjoy the lovely prose and the eloquent insights of Sita in particular. Even Ty has his occasional moving speeches with quotable quotes.

I enjoy the lovely prose and the eloquent insights of Sita in particular. Even Ty has his occasional moving speeches with quotable quotes.

Nobody is killed off (you'd be surprised how many YA novels do this, nowadays, to my horror and refusal to read more of that sort of thing); the kids make it back home, in the end (you knew they would!); and the lives they touched in modern L.A. are better because of them.

In all, it’s a story 21st Century YA readers are sure to enjoy.

Thanks to NetGalley for sending me an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the story behind this book and can imagine this playing out well in a movie. It is a fun, very positive/happy read following the adventures of a group of teenagers who end up 10,000 years in the future. Most of the book follows their adventures in trying to get to grips with the modern world and is a story of deep friendship, love and acceptance in a sometimes difficult world. The book has a slight philosophical edge that makes you stop and think, but definitely doesn’t get bogged down in details as could easily happen with a story of this kind; Luber is skilled at making you stop and think without things becoming too deep or ruining the light-hearted, playful theme.