Power of UN [Turtleback]

Nancy Etchemendy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2002

THIS EDITION IS INTENDED FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. When Gib Finney discovers a mysterious device which has the power to erase any and all mistakes, he thinks he's won the lottery. But after a terrible accident, Gib must decide which events of

--This text refers to the School & Library Binding edition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-8-Who wouldn't want the ability to undo a mistake, an accident, or even a tragedy, after it happens? Once he has the Unner, a makeshift creation of old parts and electronic gizmos, middle-schooler Gib Finney has that power, but first he has to figure out how to use it. His practice time is suddenly cut short when his little sister is hit by a truck and ends up in a life-threatening coma. If the Unner really works, it could save Roxy's life, but there could be far-reaching consequences to rearranging links on the chain of time, and Gib is just beginning to realize how interconnected they are. The setting could be any small town in America, some decades ago. Most of the characters neatly fit stereotypes common to such settings-the happy nuclear family, loyal best friend, mysterious carnival fortune-teller, and more. While Gib is the only fully developed character, the unique and interesting plot featuring a practical look at the possibilities and results of planned time travel make up for the otherwise shallow characterizations. As the story gathers speed, suspense builds to a surprising and satisfying conclusion with room for more than one sequel. The book's themes and plot twists take it beyond the conventional, resulting in a delightfully thought-provoking science-fiction story.
Susan L. Rogers, Chestnut Hill Academy, PA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

Etchemendy's intriguing fantasy handles some powerful, big questions about life, the universe, and everything in it. Gib begins the tale throwing spitballs in math class with his science lab partner, Rainy. Rainy is supposed to baby-sit Roxy, Gib's spirited little sister, while Gib's parents go dancing and Gib and his best friend, Ash, go to the carnival on a long-planned excursion. But things go wrong, and Gib finds himself in the woods near his house with a strange, yet oddly familiar old man who smells like lightning. The man hands him an "unner," a rather badly made machine that can send Gib back in time. Gib thinks this is a great idea, especially after the trip to the carnival goes horribly wrong. In trying to right matters, Gib tackles free will, memory, the bending of time, and contradictory impulses in a way that will sound fairly logical to middle-schoolers. For children not quite old enough for Norma Howe's Adventures of Blue Avenger (1999), this book deftly handles some eternal philosophical questions. GraceAnne A. DeCandido
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Turtleback: 148 pages
• Publisher: Demco Media (September 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0606249567
• ISBN-13: 978-0606249560
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,806,454 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a well-written, intriguing book on the impact of choices, June 12, 2005

By 

Nathan Andersen "film lover, philosophy profe... (Florida) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Power Of Un (Paperback)

I've been reading a lot of books to my kids lately -- they are right at the age where they enjoy books that I can enjoy reading to them. We did all the old classics (Narnia, Hobbit, Earthsea, Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. F., etc.) and a few obvious ones (the Harry Potter series) and then started reading some newer ones that were recommended to us. So much that is out there has interesting or clever premises but is either terribly written (e.g. the Animorphs series) or is fairly light and weak on content (e.g. even though my kids love them, I'd have to put the Lemony Snicket books here - yes they are clever and well-written, but in the end they are just stories about an implausible series of, well, unfortunate events that happen to implausibly bright and resourceful children).

The Power of Un, though, is both very well written and raises lots of interesting and provocative questions. At the core of the book is the idea that what you do matters, that actions have consequences -- and anything that can convey that message to children without boring them or making them feel like they are hearing a lecture is a good thing. My kids didn't want me to put it down for the few nights it took to read it, and I didn't want to either. A good book, whose author deserves high praise -- though not quite as high as I gave it (I'd give it four stars but I accidentally hit five and Amazon won't let you change that for some reason).

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Power of Un, May 14, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Power of Un (Hardcover)

Looking for a thought provoking book for your kids? My kids would not put it down so I read it myself. Great fun, better than Star Wars!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully fun, thought-provoking read!, May 7, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Power of Un (Hardcover)

I loved this book! It explores fascinating questions, like what would happen if we *could* go back just a little bit in time and undo a mistake, while staying fast-paced and exciting. The characters- narrator Gib Finney, his sister, Roxy, and friend, Ash are all likable and unique. I had a hard time putting it down!