Running Out of Time by Margaret Peterson Haddix Date of Publication: 2005 ISBN: 1416905316 Number of Pages: 192

REQUIRED READING ABILITY: Low
GENRES: Adventure
THEMES: Family, Survival, Good versus Evil, Appearance versus Reality, Coming of Age

SUMMARY:
Jessie lives with her family in the village of Clifton, Indiana in 1840. She lives the life of a normal girl growing up in the 1840's. When diphtheria strikes the village and threatens the lives of her family and friends, Jessie's mother reveals the startling truth. - it is really 1996. It is at this time that Jessie is confronted with a mission. She must leave the confines of the reconstructed village of Clifton and venture into the outside world in search of medicine that will cure the diphtheria outbreak. Jessie must escape Clifton unnoticed. It is while she is beyond the walls of Clifton that Jessie discovers a world alien to her and finds herself in a situation that threatens her life. Jessie is in a race against time. Will she make it?

WHO WOULD LOVE THIS BOOK? A kid who...

• likes science fiction
• enjoys plot twists
• likes to suspend disbelief and go along for the ride
• is interested in pioneer times
• likes lots of action
• likes stories with female protagonists on the run
  

WHAT ELSE?
This is an easy read and in fact, is done in juniors grades in a number of schools. Still, it is a wonderful book for reluctant intermediate readersl. The pace moves quickly, and a keen reader will notice that the plot moves too quickly from the start of the book to the world outside of Clifton. Still, that just makes it more understandable for weaker readers.
There is also an audio version available for purchase from www.amazon.ca .

Margaret Peterson Haddix has written a number of other books, including the award-winning Ella Enchanted, a version of which was recently turned into a movie.

RELATED LINK:
About the author
Thinkquest (student site devoted to the book, with activities, etc.