Looking for a YA sci-fi book.
I’m trying to find a YA sci-fi book I read around 2008–2010 that I checked out from a library. I believe the main character was a teenage/high school boy.
The book took place in a futuristic society where people could experience history through pictures/images and even smell scents from historical eras. This was normal technology in their world. I specifically remember people talking about fears of catching diseases or contamination from the past through these historical experiences/scents, but I think the government or scientists claimed the issue had been solved or that it was safe.
The main character somehow accidentally discovered he could physically travel back in time, which I think was considered impossible, secret, or extremely unusual. I vaguely remember there being some kind of villain or organization connected to the plot, but I don’t remember details.
At one point later in the book he traveled to prehistoric/dinosaur times, but dinosaurs were NOT the main focus of the story — it was just one event/adventure during the time travel. I specifically remember something involving a giant snake.
Other details:
- Definitely more sci-fi than fantasy
- Probably YA or older middle grade
- Likely published before 2010
- I think the copy I read was hardcover
- I vaguely remember the cover having red as one of the main colors, and maybe a stopwatch, pocket watch, or clock on it
- The time travel/discovery may have happened accidentally
- I don’t remember whether his ability was genetic, technological, or something else
The strongest detail I remember is the society being able to smell history through pictures/images.
Does this sound familiar to anyone?