From School Library Journal
Grade 6-9-In her new time-travel adventure featuring 15-year-old Miranda Browne (heroine of Time Windows [Harcourt, 1991]), Reiss creates an intriguing situation: a 13-year-old girl, caught outside of time in 1693 when her family home burns, is doomed to go on living for centuries without growing older. When Abby appears as a lonely new student at Miranda's school, the Brownes invite her to stay with them. At first resentful of Abby's presence, Miranda begins to suspect that there is something strange about her. Where does Abby go when she disappears, and why can only Miranda hear her crying? What part does a mysterious stone whistle play in Abby's story? In the end, it takes a frightening journey back in time to resolve Abby's problems. The story contains appealing elements: hints of witchcraft, a glimpse of life in 17th-century New England, and a budding romance, but it just misses its mark. The writing style is uneven, slowing the pace. Characterization is not deep enough to sustain the extended drama of the plot, or the questions Reiss raises about life and death.
Ruth S. Vose, San Francisco Public LibraryCopyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Gr. 7-10. Miranda Browne, protagonist of
Time Windows, appears in another variation on the time-travel theme. This time, she finds herself in the awkward position of both disliking and distrusting Abby, a sullen 13-year-old orphan Miranda's parents take in. She sets out hoping to discredit Abby in her parents' eyes and, instead, finds that Abby, who can disappear at will, is the victim of a terrible tragedy and is counting on Miranda to help her recapture her past life in Puritan Salem. Reiss skillfully interweaves a moving subplot about Miranda's growing love for and romance with her good friend and neighbor, Dan. Characters are interesting, well drawn, and believable, if not always likable. The historical aspects are not as developed as they might have been, the action slows down a little too much at times, and the absence of any reference to Miranda's previous adventure is a bit disorienting. These are minor problems, however, in what is a thoughtful and enjoyable book. Readers will certainly want to see more of Miranda and Dan and their delightful parents.
Jeanne Triner
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
