A Time of Darkness [Library Binding]

Sherryl Jordan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1990

A teenage boy with unusual powers faces the challenge of his life when he's transported to a primitive society.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up-- Startlingly realistic dreams haunt teenager Rocco Makepeace, becoming stronger until he is swept away into another time and place. Here, in the Valley of Anshur, he lives with a tribe of gentle hunter/gatherer cave-dwellers, certain that he is in his world's past. An aged healer-woman, Ayoshe, helps him fit into his new life so well that the tribe agrees to accept some of the modern improvements he is able to construct for them, and to allow him to be handfast to a young woman whom he loves. It is only when he discovers that Anshur is in his future, and Ayoshe a relation born during his own real life, that he is snapped back into his original time frame. There, he finds he has been ill, in a coma, for a long period. It is only when Rocco realizes that a nuclear holocaust must have been the catastrophe that caused the regression of society and civilization that led to Anshur, and discovers that a long-lost family member has just had a baby daughter, Ayoshe, that he understands. While the ending is contrived (how many family trees have rocketry expert defectors in their branches?), readers do become involved with Rocco and his two worlds. The message that little things (in this case, a letter written and mailed) can have enormous impact is one that may benefit young people. While not a perfect book, A Time of Darkness is readable, thought-provoking, and consciousness-raising. No small achievement. --Patricia Manning, Eastchester Public Library, NY
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Library Binding: 246 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Trade (September 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590433636
• ISBN-13: 978-0590433631
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,077,251 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Book(Farrah Hassan P.1), March 20, 2002

A Kid's Review

This review is from: A Time of Darkness (Paperback)

When I choose to read this book I thought it was going to be boring, because the cover seemed so dull to me. Then has I started reading, I couldn't stop! The book was so touching and sad, which made me even more attched to it. Also I loved how the Sherryl Jordan used her words by being very discriptive.

I've also read one other book of Sherryl Jordan. That book I also judged by the cover. However it turned out to be good. Now if I ever pick up another book by Sherryl Jordan I'll be sure not to judge it by its cover again. Since I found her writting to be very well in both books.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's My Favorite!, August 16, 2000

By 

Shannon Carraway (York, SC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Time of Darkness (Paperback)

I loved this book a great deal! I got it from a school jamboree for free, and I didn't think that it would be all that wonderful, but I was drawn to it. When I read the first page, it was impossible to put it down. It took me only two days to read the whole thing. I would recommend (and have) this book to anyone who enjoys an adventure. I especially love it's twists and turns! Thank you Sherryl Jordan for such a wonderful tale!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful..., July 18, 2000

By 

Marjorie Fortin (GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Time of Darkness (Paperback)

I remember reading this book for a 8th grade book report and then mourning the fact that I couldn't keep it. It's such a beautifully written novel and despite the fact that it has been years since I read it and I have forgotten much the mood has been remembered well...that of simple pleasures and lost happiness...a time that is not so dark as it first seems. The ending for me was bittersweet and I remember crying and wishing there were a sequel!