Stealing Time


What if you could meet your parents…when they were your age?
 
Good news for fans of Back to the Future and The Time Traveler’s Wife: Stealing Time is an award-winning, sharp, funny, and emotionally rich page-turner packed with heart, humor, and high stakes. Adult readers enjoy the nostalgia and YA readers enjoy the fast-paced adventure and a glimpse of a world before smartphones.
 
New York City, 2020.
Fifteen-year-old Tori’s world is falling apart. Her parents are separating, she and her mother are moving to the suburbs, and she just found out her grandfather was a thief. A jewel thief, no less—whose arrest 40 years ago shattered her family for good.
 
New York City, 1980.
A city still reeling from the aftershocks of a near-bankruptcy, filled with garbage, graffiti and crime. No internet. No cell phones but plenty of phone booths. And for fifteen-year-old Bobby, no clue what to do with the girl appearing in his apartment, who calls him “Dad” and announces that something bad is going to happen. Together, they’ll have to solve a mystery, outwit dangerous criminals, and prevent a time-bending heist to steal back their future.
 
But the real discovery? Sometimes the best way to fix your broken present... is to understand your family's past.
 
A coming-of-age story, a second-chance adventure, and a time-traveling twist on classic capers, Stealing Time is perfect for anyone who’s ever wanted to understand where they came from—and where they’re going.
 
Stealing Time is a Kindle Bestseller and has won several awards, including a 2025 Falchion Finalist for Best Juvenile / Y.A., a 2025 Next Generation Indie Book Award YA Finalist, and a 2024 Claymore Top Pick at Killer Nashville.

Where to Buy It Available as an ebook or in paperback.

More information available at https://stealingtime.net/.

Reviews

Denver Post: "The novel’s dialogue, descriptions, and details all sparkle. And its exploration of how past experiences can shape present lives adds depth and poignancy. Good for YA audiences, but a fun read for adults, too."

Kirkus Reviews: "Jacobs and Birnbach’s time-traveling adventure combines SF and elements of classic caper and heist stories. Fans of will find much to love here. Though the concept of going back into the past to meet younger versions of family members has been done, Jacobs and Birnbach’s characters are distinctive enough to keep this work
feeling fresh. [This] solid, lighter SF yarn [is] a delight. A classic, well rendered."

PW's BookLife Reviews: "Jacobs and Birnbach offer a classically surreal time-travel dilemma with this spirited coming-of-age adventure... Beneath the time-travel adventure, a more profound message about bridging generational gaps between parents and children and the long-lasting impact of choices resonates throughout. The mix of thrilling heist antics and comic drama (“Sometimes when you talk, I understand every word but none of the sentences”) will keep time-travel enthusiasts hooked. Takeaway: Fun time-travel romp pairing a 2020 teen with her 1980 dad to stop a heist."

Hidden Sci-Fi: Find your next favorite sci-fi book: "Stealing Time by Tilia Klebenov Jacobs and Norman Birnbach is a delightful time-traveling caper that seamlessly blends elements of science fiction, mystery, and family drama. The novel is a true gem, offering an engaging and heartwarming adventure that will resonate with readers of all ages...One of the book's greatest strengths lies in its clever premise and execution. Complementing the captivating storyline is the authors' attention to detail in portraying the vibrant settings of 1980s New York City...

Stealing Time is not just a thrilling adventure; it also explores profound themes of family, redemption, and the far-reaching consequences of our actions. The authors deftly weave these deeper explorations into the fast-paced plot, ensuring that the novel remains both thought-provoking and highly entertaining.

In conclusion, Stealing Time is a true delight for readers seeking a fresh and engaging time-travel tale. With its charming characters, intricate plot, and heartwarming themes, this novel is sure to captivate audiences of all ages. Jacobs and Birnbach have crafted a masterpiece that expertly blends genres, creating a truly unforgettable reading experience.

You Decide: Should I Read it or Not? blog: shouldireaditornot.wordpress.com/2024/09/28/stealing-time-tilia-klebenov-jacobs-and-norman-birnbach/ “Stealing Time was so good I sat down and reread it as soon as I’d finished. Now THAT’s a good read!"

Dayton Daily News/WYSO-FM: Book Nook: 'Stealing Time' by Tilia Klebenov Jacobs and Norman Birnbach": "I absolutely loved this time travel novel. I hope that you do, too."

Selected mentions: