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Book Review of The Age of Miracles

The Age of Miracles
Gr8Smokies avatar reviewed on + 98 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1


The Earth, normally predictably rotating, decides to not be so predictable any more. No one knows why. The days begin to be longer--just by a few minutes at first. Then, by a little more and a little more. Day and night are no longer reliable.

What happens to the astronauts at the space station?

What happens to crops?

And the main question of this book--what happens to an average person?

Julia, a typical 11 year old, lives with her family and this book is about her coming of age at a time when the planet is falling apart. The uncertainty of adolescence with the uncertainty of the Earth's rotation forms one of the main parallels of this book. She falls in love (more uncertainty) and tries to live in this ever-changing world.

There is conflict between those that want to live "by the clock", observing normal time no matter what the sky seems to say. And those who would rather live by the new natural order of things. I found myself wondering which I would be.

This a is quiet book. There are no big action-filled plot arcs, no attempts to lasso Earth, no shooting and looting. Just a story about a girl trying to find her place in the world that may no longer be a viable choice.

For parents/teachers: Sometimes, it is hard to gauge whether a book is appropriate for a given age level. There is a bit of profanity (the F word), some discussion of wearing a bra, some romance (just kissing), and some discussion of adultery.

Very enjoyable.