City of Masks - Mary Hoffman

This is the first book in the Stravaganza Sequence. It is about a young boy called Lucien Mullholland who finds out that he has special gift - the ability to travel in time and place to 16th century Italy or Talia as it is called then. His father gave him a book that later becomes his Tailsman-the object that enables him to be transported to a different place when the owner holds it whilst they are unconscious. He normally suffers from cancer, but when he is in Talia, it is like he is fully recovered. Luciano (as he is called in Talia) is living a double life. He discovers that there was a very important reason to go to Talia, and just as things seem to be running smoothly for him, life seems to take a change of direction and a long downhill plunge - for Lucien and Luciano.
This is a gripping story form beginning to end, and I would say it is suitable for girls and boys from 11yrs upwards. I would give this book 9.5/10.