It's Treason, by George!

Gr 4–6—Eric, Dominique, Ajay, and Josephine return to an altered present of forced curfews, missing family members, and a soon-to-be-crowned king. Alarmed by the sudden changes, the kids head back to the Smithsonian to find it has once again transformed and the Hall of Presidents has been renamed the Hall of Monarchs. With the help of the Smithsonian's time machine, the schoolmates travel to the late 18th century to thwart an imposter George Washington from becoming the first king of the United States and to correct the events of the past. This fast-paced, action-heavy tale builds to an exciting climax and leaves room for a sequel. The art is clean, with a simple panel structure that will appeal to those new to comics. However, characters other than the main students lack defining features. Readers will need a basic familiarity with the series to identify the villains by name. Alexander Hamilton, Washington, and members of the Continental Congress are especially difficult to discern from one another. This latest installment in the series offers more backstory and details about the Smithsonian's time machines but doesn't stand out. Parallels are drawn between Washington's decision to resign as president (rather than seek a third term) and the current political climate, but they are nothing groundbreaking. While other books in the series used a framing device to impart information, this latest veers closer to the realm of fiction; educators seeking a deeper dive into the time period should seek out more serious sources.