The Sun, the Moon, and Maybe the Trains [Paperback]

Rodney Jones (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 29, 2012

John Bartley's days are filled with working in the mill or the garden, and he can't wait to see Zella at the next barn dance. But when he stumbles through a hidden portal in the forest, everything he's ever known falls behind him. A hundred and thirty-four years behind, to be more exact.

Tess can't quite believe John's tale of time travel. Does he really not know what a cell phone is? A car? Indoor plumbing? To convince the girl he's swiftly falling for that he's not crazy, John must delve into Tess's history--his future--and solve the mystery of his hometown's demise. But when they learn its fate, each faces a sudden, wrenching choice. Save their love, or save the past?

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Jones did an amazing job at creating this gripping novel while staying true to both 1875 and 2009." - The Coffee Pot
 
"...the kind of story that will give each reader something different to latch on to and contemplate, but overall will definitely enjoy." - Lovey Dovey Books
 
"...packed with action and heart wrenching turmoil." - Big Al's Books and Pals
 
"...I had no idea I was going to be in for such a delightful read." - Novels on the Run
 
"A fantastic read and very well written." - Stressed Rach

"...John was a great character.  As his ideas and morals collide with the future, he remains true to himself. " - Getting Your Read On
 
"I would definitely recommend this book to YA readers, both young and old." - Workaday Reads

About the Author

A resident of Richmond, Indiana.

Product Details

• Paperback: 252 pages
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (September 29, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1479328499
• ISBN-13: 978-1479328499
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (69 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,217,571 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

While a past resident of Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Florida, New York, and Vermont, Rodney now resides in Richmond, Indiana, where he whiles away his days pecking at a laptop, riding his ten-speed up the Cardinal Greenway, taking long walks with his daughter, or backpacking and wilderness camping.

His list of past occupations reads like his list of past residences, though his life-long ambition was to be an artist − until he discovered a latent affinity for writing.

"In art," Rodney says, "I was constantly being asked to explain images constructed from a palette of emotions and ideas, which usually required complex narratives to convey their meaning, if there even was a meaning. In writing, the words are creating the images, images are telling a story, the story is evoking feelings. I like it. There's nothing to explain."

Rodney's interests include: art, science, politics, whiskey and chocolate, music (collecting vinyl records), gardening, and travel.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it! October 19, 2012

By Cindy Jackson

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I started reading this and couldn't put it down. The time travel experience is very unique in this book, unlike others that I have read... and I love time travel. The main characters are genuine and funny and sensitive and loveable all at the same time. The surprise ending was a bonus to the story. If you're looking for a fun read, this is an excellent choice!

25 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant read October 24, 2012

By R. Simons

Format:Kindle Edition

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

The Sun, The Moon and Maybe The Trains was read I will not be forgetting in a hurry. John Bartley was a really nice lad, from 1875 that happened to hear a noise in the woods and went to investigate only to be thrown into 2009. He was alone and scared and wanted to go home to Greendale. Fortunately he met Tess a girl from 2009. Ok she thought he was weird at first but then started believing that John really was from 1875 and helped him find the woods and go back to his own time.

The relationship between Tess and John was so sweet and innocent, John was a proper gentleman and he did make me laugh especially when Tess came to him with her legs bare and SHAVED! Of course people in 1875 covered themselves up and never shaved their legs.

I could see that a love would blossom between them but wondered how because they were both from different times but Tess manages to travel into 1875 to warn John of a fire in Greendale, but she can;t pass back to her own time.

There were tense times in the book, some sadness, some delight and some bits has me thinking oh my god nooo.

I really enjoyed the book and could not put it down. A fantastic read and very well written.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A fun read November 6, 2012

By mary ellen

Format:Paperback

A fun and thoughtful concept for a story. I would recommend this book to anyone with an active imagination who likes to ask the "what if ?" questions. The author's extensive research into 1875 Vermont is clear throughout the story, which helps us to imagine how we might react if we were in John's place, and suddenly transported into the year 2007.