Opinions:Did someone say “one of the best books they’ve ever read?” Oh, right, that was me talking about Stuck (in Time)! This book was not only educational, but inspiring, energetic, and intense - only the beginning of the list of reasons why it’s a prime read for young adults. Stuck (in Time) is perfect for older teenagers who need a fun, adventurous escape and for preteens who have a high reading level but need kid-friendly material. This book can be used as an introduction to themes of good vs evil, life and death, and other complex subjects without exposing them to any horror, sex, or violence. Something readers of all ages will appreciate are the literary devices, specifically foreshadowing! Johnson built up the tension by including small, inquisitive lines that make readers
question their meaning. The climax of Stuck (in Time) left us with a big “ohhhhh” as all of the loose ends are tied up and the puzzle is complete! That said, Mary Cairns is definitely a character I’d love to research and even meet myself!
My Favourite Thing(s):
I love the “magical” elements of Stuck (in Time)! When reading, you will learn that James’ “life threatening condition” is invisibility, which introduces a realm of mystery and illusion into Stuck (in Time), thus making the atmosphere spiritual and scandalous!
I adore too much about Stuck (in Time) to let this go: I must tell you how much I loved the historical inclusion! Readers were not bombarded with facts, timelines, dates, names, and battles. Rather, we were immersed into the world and took a walk in the shoes of a World War II mother and father. This allowed readers to experience daily life instead of learn about it in textbooks and documentaries. Adding onto this, I love this small detail that Johnson included: when the Baxter children time traveled to the 1940s, all of their clothing and pocketed objects “translated” into the old-time version, making the setting even more realistic. Gel pens converted into crayons and a cheap, store-bought notebook turned in a leather-bound delicacy! Johnson did a fantastic job in building a world with the use of imagery, language, and atmosphere!
My Least Favourite Thing:
Towards the middle of the book, I felt as if the Baxter children lost sight of why they were in the 1940s. Although exciting to read about, the visit to their school and scenes about feeding a dog were not completely necessary. However, these small faults did not ruin the book at all - I still enjoyed reading it immensely!