When Christopher Colombus discovered the New World in 1492, it opened the floodgates for the countries in Europe to colonize as much as land as they could. Portugal was a major power, and now is your chance to join the Portuguese in their explorations. Your mission is to search for the legendary Seven Cities of Gold and bring back proof of your visit. The Time Machine series challenges young readers to use their imagination and decision-making skills to write their own story. Options in the text allow readers to choose any path they like within the plot. Readers must draw on background information about the period to make the right choices. This makes the series a great educational device for youngsters to learn about history and all the different cultures, events, and periods that shaped it.