Back in Time

By Ijae N. Benson

While testing the time machine Ijae had finally come to finish, she finds herself in what she soon discovers are the days of Slavery. She remembered hearing stories about this time in school and from her grandparents. She had even read a few books on the subject; however nothing would have prepared her for what she was about to experience. Not sure why or how she ended up here, she meets a young boy named Josiah, who himself is a slave.

Intrigued by what she sees and what she is learning, Ijae travels back and forth between the two times, with each time being more fascinating than the last. During these trips, Ijae and Josiah begin to help and teach each other, even finding themselves attempting what appears to be the impossible..

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Dec 16, 2011
• ISBN: 9781462056996

Ijae N. Benson

Back in Time was formed from a series of journal writings over a 5 year period. With this great accomplishment of being published, it is now my dream to be the youngest African-American to leave my neighborhood a full fledge writer and author. I am qualified to write a book because to me it’s a story that most times have a message or lesson. I believe I have accomplished that with Back in Time. Not only is the reader taken on a journey, but they are also taught about the days of slavery and the true meaning of perseverance. I have managed to write a mind catching, thought provoking and entertaining book. It only gets better from here!

Book preview

Contents

Acknowledgment

8 years later…

Glossary

Acknowledgment

I thank God for the strength and blessing that allowed me to write this fiction book for preteen and teen readers.

I am thankful that He allowed my mind to complete and move forward with one of many talents He has given me.

I would like to thank my grandmother Paula A. Richardson for always supporting me no matter what. It is because of her that this is finally a reality. Thank You, Grandmom!

I would like to give credit to my best friend, Yolanda, for supporting me and staying up at night to listen to me read her my drafts.

Thanks my cousins, Keith and Kecia Drake, Brielle Saunders; my aunts, Monique and Markia Benson; my little brother, who would also let me read to him, Amir Benson; my step-father Mohammed Toure; god-parents Cynthia ‘Pooh’ and Frankie James and my special God-father Itchie.

I’d like to give a special thank you to my mother Monica N. Benson who help me come up with different concepts for this book and great ones may I add. Thank you mom

And Thanks to those who I have not mentioned, but have not forgotten… I will not forget your support either… thank you!!!!!!

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On the summer morning of June 12, 2010 I was in my lab trying to come up with a Science project that would explore the past and the future. I had to utilize what was taught in my science class the day before, but my format had to explain of how life was in the Past. I visualized the era of the 19th century of which slavery occurred. The idea of people’s everyday life activities like how they spoke, or how they dress made me far more curious. The concept of being able to explore someone’s life or just being able to endure the past to understand our present, "What better way of doing so by creating a machine that could take me back and forth in time. I could go back in time to learn about slavery, the laws, and bias activities that were present in many lives. A master creation of a machine that could allow me to transport between the past and the present, as well as allow me to participate and maybe even change history. I worked on the blueprint for hours until I was finally finished. The machine was 7 feet tall, with a water and bullet proof shield. It was big enough to allow for the seating of four people with a modern layout. After I completed the machine, I researched and documented things related to the 19th century and slavery. I figured I would get a general idea of what to expect. I adjusted the machine back to the 1600’s ~slavery time~ and I stepped into the machine. I closed my eyes really tight and pushed the ‘transport’ button. Just as the door closed, I started to think, this probably isn’t going to work on the first try. I could hear bells and dinging sounds. My palms began to sweat and I began to think this was not a good idea. What if someone comes to my lab looking for me? I didn’t leave a note. They might get worried? As I started to change my mind about the whole thing, suddenly, it became very quiet. I opened my eyes and realized I was no longer in my lab. As my eyes came into focus and I could start to clearly see my surroundings, everything looked very different. It was then I realized I was standing in a room with a cot, handcraft oak wooden table, chair