Wolving Time [Library Binding]

Patrick Jennings (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2005

A family of werewolves faces the human evil of persecution in this tense and spellbinding novel from one of Scholastic Press' favorite authors.



Laszlo Emberek is caught between two worlds. He has the peaceful life of a shepherd who tends his family's flock of sheep, yet he is also aware of the secret life of his parents, who can become wolves at will. Laszlo yearns for the day when he, too, will learn to change. But then the family's secret is discovered by a village girl - a girl who is the servant of the town's cruel and corrupt priest. The priest is out to condemn werewolves and burn them at the stake. As the fierce rumors about Laszlo's family begin to spread, he must choose between his worlds - and decide who the true demons are.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8-Near the end of the 16th century, Laszlo Emberek, 13, leads a seemingly idyllic life as a poor shepherd to his family's tiny flock in the French Pyrenees-at least until a wolf appears nearby. He whistles to signal his mother, who comes running, only to throw off her clothes, change into a wolf, and go romping off into the distance. That's right-Jennings spins this interesting historical yarn about a family of werewolves who make their living herding sheep. This tale is no comedy, though, but rather a compelling, thoughtful story. When Laszlo discovers that Muno, an orphaned Basque girl whose parents were executed as witches, has witnessed his mother's change, he worries that she won't keep the family's secret. Cultural, historical, and geographic details make for interesting reading. Also compelling is Laszlo's desire to come of age, to join his parents in making the change. His first journey to the village alone, his first change into a wolf, and his first experience of caring about another young person are all well rendered. Readers are likely to identify with the werewolf metaphor, which evokes the physical and emotional changes that adolescents experience. The exciting climax sees justice served, with Laszlo realizing the preciousness of life and his family secure with hopes for a new and safer life in a new village.
Joel Shoemaker, Southeast Junior High School, Iowa City, IA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

Gr. 6-8. Outside a village in sixteenth-century France, Laszlo tends the sheep for his parents, werewolves Kalman and Rita. Though they have long lived in mortal fear that the cruel local priest will discover their dual nature or simply turn against them, they risk his disapproval and consequently their lives by taking in a young girl who runs away from his service. One of the pleasures of reading this cleanly written fantasy is how natural it seems when Laszlo's parents transform from human to wolf. Another is how gracefully the story folds this element of fantasy into a work of historical fiction. While the werewolf aspect of the story will appeal to many young people, and the scene in which Laszlo comes of age and makes his first transformation is memorable, the shapeshifters and the wolves are the innocents here. The character who represents evil wears the vestments of the established church. Call it irony or revisionist history, Jennings makes his case with dramatic and ethical clarity. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Library Binding
• Publisher: San Val (May 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1417682191
• ISBN-13: 978-1417682195
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,055,957 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

As a kid Patrick Jennings was afraid of African black mambas and tigers. He grew up in Northwestern Indiana.

He got his first pair of glasses when he was eight, and always wished he had a nickname like his friend, Mike. Mike was called "Tiger" by everyone, even the teachers. Wow.

Patrick Jennings may be called "Tiger," if you wish, or "Tigersnack." Both names are hidden inside his name. (As is "Rat" and "Ratpick," but he's not as fond of those and discourages their use. "Jetpack" is fine.)

Before he became a professional writer, in 1995, Tigersnack was a paperboy, a busboy, a fry cook, a hoddy, a record store clerk, a courier, a teacher, and a librarian. He has since published sixteen books for young readers. Can you find them somewhere on this site?

Jetpack's books have featured such creatures as electric dogs, rocket cats, grebes, coots, kangaroo rats, werewolves, scorpions, horses grown from seed, teenagers, gopher snakes, guinea dogs, and a lucky (or perhaps unlucky) sixth grader. Stinking Carp (he doesn't like this one) is currently working on books about a bat, a rat, alien dognappers, an owl in a suit, and, naturally, a tiger.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thought-provoking and beautifully written...., September 25, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Wolving Time (Hardcover)

I don't want to give away too many details of a fantastic story about a boy whose parents are "shape-shifters," otherwise known as werewolves. The book takes place in 16th century France, and is based on historical fact, but so much of the prejudice and persecution that went on has an eerie relevance to our contemporary world. The characters are terrific and the way the adventure unfolds kept me on the edge of my seat. This is one of those great books that stays with you long after you've finished it -- destined to be a classic.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Supernatural Thriller, Coming of Age Story, June 16, 2004

By 

Anne Holcomb "biblio_tech" (Kalamazoo, MI, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Wolving Time (Hardcover)

Preteen Laszlo and his parents are outsiders living on the fringes of a French village in the Middle Ages.They also exist on the borders between the animal world and the human world -- they are a family of werewolves.
In "The Wolving Time," Laszlo discovers first love, fights a corrupt system, and discovers the powers that lie inside himself. This touching story highlights the bonds that keep a family surviving in hard times, with elements of the supernatural and a plot full of suspense.

This book is ideal for fans of historical fiction, fantasy, and vampire/werewolf stories.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Wolving Time, March 19, 2004

By 

J. Son (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Wolving Time (Hardcover)

This book is about Laszlo Emberek, a boy who is in two worlds: one in the world as a human, another one is as a wolf; yes, a wolf. His parents, Kalman and Rita, both husband and wife, are already wolves; so far his parents say that he isn't ready to become a wolf yet. Unfortunately, one day a girl named Muno sees his parents change forms while she plans to run away from the priest, Pre Raoul, for she was his servant after he killed her parents and everythings she had. One day she is kept in jail, forced to say that Laszlo were werewolves, thanks to the priest; but luckily she doesn't. However, the priest and the villagers still find them and traps them. As they escape, Kalman and Rita tell him that he is ready - ready to become a wolf. He accepts, and in the end they were able to free Muno and move to a different, friendlier, place.

I liked this book because it was so intense. One minute you are all safe and happy, the next minute you are under pressure. The author is very descriptive, when he describes Laszlo when he becomes a wolf. As it says it the book, " He ducked his head between his forelegs and saw a furry brisket and silvery hind legs and, swishing back and forth behind them, a bushy tail!" In my opinion, it feels as if you are a wolf yourself, and usually things like that, that you can truly feel, are rare.

The book also talks about some very sad yet wise things. When Muno tells Laszlo that she is kept alive while everyone else she had was dead, it was because the priest knew that he couldn't take anything more from her. The only way was to keep her in torture, but alive. For what she wanted was to escape him, and the priest knew that. It is very descriptive, as I had said before.

Another quote from the book was when the village boys first discovered that he was a werewolf, " His ferocity surprised them - and him - and he worried again that he might change." It shows that he is afraid, which is another why I like this book. Despite all things, even if you became something else or someone else is the fact that you will always have fear follow you. In a way I also disliked the book because the plot was too slow. They didn't tell the part of the boy changing till practically the end of the book. Till then, the person seemed to add things to keep the audience waiting.

My least favorite part of the book was when Muno came to become trapped in the dungeon. It irritates me, not knowing what is going on. All of the excitement seems to be holding in you, yet it won't let go. Plus, the author kept her in the dungeon too long. Till she was freed all they ever talked about was where she was, and suspicious eyes lurking around.