Switching Well [Mass Market Paperback]

Peni R. Griffin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 1994 | Age Level: 5 and up

Two twelve-year-old girls in San Antonio, Texas, Ada in 1891 and Amber in 1991, switch places through a magic well and try desperately to return to their own times.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A twist of magic sends Ada Bauer, a native of San Antonio, Tex., 100 years into the future, from the late 19th century to the present. Simultaneously, Amber Burak, a teenager in contemporary San Antonio, travels 100 years back, to Ada's time. Struggling to return home, each is almost lost in the social service network of the other's era. Griffin's story is especially fascinating in its exploration of changing mores and folkways. She also proves to have an exceptional ear for the conversational tics of both the 19th and the 20th centuries. Her intelligent, engaging heroines respond to their new circumstances with great resourcefulness, each discovering within herself the capacity to do good. Highly original, and a true page-turner. Ages 10-14.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8. A vivid story of two girls living in San Antonio, one in 1891 and one in 1991, who make a wish on the same day at the same hour and switch places, thus becoming outsiders in societies unprepared to receive them. A fine blend of time travel and friendship, laced with insight into social history and attitudes.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (December 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140369104
• ISBN-13: 978-0140369106
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,567,349 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!, February 22, 2001

By 

Jessica (Melbourne,FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Switching Well (Mass Market Paperback)

I thought this boom would be very bnoring at the start, because this was an assignment given to me by a teacher. Then, I began to read it, and I couldn't put it down! I always thought that "old time" books were about cowboys and rights and hard labor, but this one probably covered everything! It also has a lot of humor, suspense, and funny words.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars unbeilevably amazing, October 13, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Switching Well (Mass Market Paperback)

Switching Well, written by Peni R. Griffin is an outstanding narrative about two girls who switch centuries in a magic well and can't reach their times. Ada is a 13 year old girl with a peaceful and normal personality. Amber is a spunkier girl but feels sad when she finds out her parents are divorcing. They meet new friends, people that aren't very nice, and have to lie along the way, but somehow tell the truth. The girls learn about one another because people think they're missing. I recomend this book... it's absalutly fastinating.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A "Must Read" Book, October 28, 2001

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Switching Well (Mass Market Paperback)

Yes, you must read it. This book tells about two girls that live 100 years apart that think that life in 100 years or 100 years ago will be better than the life they lead. So, while Amber is transported back in time, Ada is transported forward in time with the help of a mysterious wishing well. Both girls must go to orphanages, as they have no family in this strange time, and both figure out that life in either time isn't what they thought it would be. Now they long for home. But they have one problem. How in the world are they going to get home?
A book filled with suspense and fantasy is the best book, in my mind. The only thing wrong with this one: the author never reveals what creature was in the well. Still, I would highly recomend this book for anyone who loves fantasy.