and how they were captured by the daring detectives of the New Cut Gang
Pullman, Philip
2013
Eleven-year-old Benny Kaminsky leads a rag-tag gang of neighborhood children as they use improbable disguises and crazy ruses while investigating such crimes as counterfeiting and stolen silver in 1894 London.
Middle-schooler Nate Wright must compete with a new rival, the "perfect" Artur, for the grand prize of a customized skateboard in their scout troop contest.
The Tooting family fits an old engine they find into their camper van, unaware that the engine once belonged to an extraordinary car and sends the family on an adventure across the world to rebuild the original Chitty.
The elusive author provides a glimpse into his mysterious and sometimes confusing life, using fanciful letters, diary entries, and other miscellaneous documents as well as photographs and illustrations.
Thanks to their magical book, Fred, Sam, and Joe inadvertently travel through time to 1877 New York City, where they and their granddaughters, who have also come from the future, help them find a way back to their own time.