Margaret Peterson Haddix’s Shadow
Children series is extremely popular in my classes this year. I try to pick
up
all the Haddix books that I can, as they seem to hook many reluctant
readers. When I saw that Scholastic was offering “Running Out of Time”
last month, I picked it up without knowing much about it. While
getting my car’s oil changed yesterday I had about an hour to read and
managed to finish the book. It is definitely a quick read, but an
exciting book! Jessie’s family lives like most typical families- in
1840. She’s a tomboy, usually the one in the group doing the dares,
rather than the daring. In many ways, she reminded me of Anne of Green
Gables. Her mother is the local midwife and Jessie enjoys tagging
along with her on jobs. Lately, however, more and more
children have
been becoming sick.
When the book opens, Jessie accompanies her mother to an
appointment, but her mother will not let her enter the home where two
children are very ill. On the way home, her mother is acting very
strange, and she sees signs on certain houses that signify the
occupants are quarantined. Her mother won’t answer her questions, but
tells her she needs to meet her in the woods the next day, after
school, but to tell no one. That morning, Jessie’s younger sister
becomes ill in school. Jessie brings her home and then heads deep into
the woods to meet her mother. What she learns in those woods will
change her life, and the lives of those around her. Her mother tells
her that she fears diptheria is the disease they are fighting. She
needs Jessie to leave their
village, Clifton, and find medicine in
another village. However, all is not as it seems.
Haddix’s book takes a sharp turn about a quarter of the way through-
a twist that I never saw coming! I hesitate to say more, because I
don’t want to ruin the experience for anyone else. I really enjoyed
this book and I know a few reluctant readers in my classes who will be
hooked by this book. If you enjoy fast-paced adventures, plot twists,
mysteries, or Haddix’s other works, I highly recommend this novel!