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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
funny
fast-paced
fast-paced
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
that author dedication -- to the laughing man -- tells you so much about this book. So much heart and heartbreak, a splash (or more) of time travel, and a plot reveal that kids will gasp over (or crow about predicting). Plus the cover -- can't wait to ask kids about the water reflection!!
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
medium-paced
inspiring
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Realizing that my middle schoolers weren’t alive for Y2K making this book historical fiction is WILD. Though, I was a toddler at the time so I, too, wasn’t conscious of the panic.
Okay, the actual review: I thought the story was fresh and I appreciate a book for young people about dealing with an uncertain future. Especially in the year of 2025. Michael’s anxieties about the future were more relatable than I expected. This book is also about being present in the moment, enjoying the little things in life, and not taking it for granted. I was particularly thrilled with Ridge’s obsession with the shopping mall (see my review of Meet Me at the Fountain by Alexandra Lange). I thought the narrator for the audiobook was fine. This is good for readers who like realistic fiction with a dash of time travel.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death