Running out of Time

Running out of Time by Margaret Peterson Haddix. Pub. Simon and Schuster, 1995.

This is a cracking good adventure story.

It starts with a community living the existence of an 1840′s lifestyle with all the values and hardships that this lifestyle brings. This contrasts markedly with the technology, lifestyles and values of todays world.

Jessie is a young child in the community of Clifton where this story is set and when children start dieing of diptheria a disease for which there is no cure in 1840, Jessie’s mother tells her a huge secret. Outside Clifton in the real world the year is 1996 and Jessie must escape to get treatment for the children that remain.

A brilliant idea that contrasts old and new values and poses the question of when we know things are wrong when do we act?

This is not the only great title by this author try the Shadow Children series that begins with Among the Hidden,as well. This will appeal to children at school years 5-8.