Running Out of Time. Margaret Peterson Haddix. 1995. 184 pages. [Source: Library]
First sentence: The light woke Jessie, though it was just a glimmer downstairs. She eased out of bed, being careful not to disturb her sister Hannah.
Premise/plot: Jessie Keyser has lived her whole life in a small village, Clifton, where the year is 1840 and a disease is threatening to become an epidemic. But what she doesn’t know can save her...for outside her small village, the year is 1996. In the 1980s, a millionaire had a ‘brilliant’ idea of creating an authentic tourist attraction where volunteers would throw themselves back in time while tourists secretly watched. Jessie’s mother and father were two of the original volunteers. The rules were simple. Anyone was supposed to be able to leave if they changed their mind. While they couldn’t discuss the ‘twentieth-century world’ with just anyone, they could tell their children once they turned twelve. They were supposed to have access to modern medicine in the case of life-threatening illnesses. But what happens when the rulebook is thrown out? Can Jessie save her village from disaster? Full of secrets and surprises, RUNNING OUT OF TIME is an exciting science fiction read.
My thoughts: I've read this one a handful of times. If the summary sounds familiar, it is cut and pasted from an earlier review. I always find myself coming back to this title because the premise is so unique and fun. I love this concept. Jessie--and all the other children--know no other life than frontier life. She honestly believes the year is 1840. This is her world--her only world. When disease threatens, her mom sends her on desperate rescue mission. Escape Clifton. Reach the outside world. Make contact with someone and tell their STORY. Get help. So she's thrown into the 'real world' suddenly. It is a big culture clash. And this one has action, mystery, and great character development.
I am so excited that after so many decades a second book is coming.
© 2023 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews
No comments:
Post a Comment