Running Out of Time

Margaret Peterson Haddix

Scholastic, New York, 1995

Genres: Mystery, Family, Accomplishment

Reading Level: Tween (12-14)

Pages: 184

Awards: ALA Best Book

Summary:

The village of Clifton, Indiana is on the frontier of the US in the year 1840. Life seems to be pretty normal for Jessie until her Ma sends her on a mysterious mission to find help against an outbreak of diphtheria. Leaving her home behind, Jessie discovers a world that is more dangerous and new than she could ever have imagined.

Reaction:

I thought that the idea was a good one for a novel, but the author went way too quickly and glossed over far too many details. It isn't a hard book to read and it's very innocent, perfect for a young reader who has a hard time comprehending reading. Like I said, it's a good idea, but I found the ending to be very quick and disappointing, almost as if the author didn't want to take the time to come with a decent ending. Probably not a good book for High School age kids.

Cautionary Note: Nothing.