Running Out of Time

Haddix, Margaret Peterson. Running Out of Time. Simon & Schuster, 1995. ISBN-10:  0689800843


Plot Summary
Jessie is stunned to learn that it isn't 1840. The pioneer town of Clifton is really a re-creation village in 1996. But the town is too authentic. The owners of the village are refusing to treat a diptheria epidemic so Jessie, who has never even heard of cars or phones, is sent for help. Alone and in an unfamiliar world, Jessie makes her way to a pay phone. When Mr. Neely is not the the help Jessie expected, Jessie decides to call the board of public health herself. It seems that the owners of Clifton village have their reasons for keeping Jessie quiet about the diphtheria epidemic. They might even kill her to keep her quiet. So she calls a press conference too! The only problem is Jessie is only 13 and she's never seen  a press conference.

Critical evaluation
Running Out of Time is a thrilling mix of historical fiction, mystery, adventure and science fiction. Reviewer Richard Peck called it a mix between The Giver and Ray Bradbury. Although a little slow to start, the story picks up quickly. In the end the story is about authority, bravery and responsibility. Tween will love this story of individual action in the face of institutional misdeeds.

Readers Annotations
On the same night that Jessie learns that she has been living in an experiment, she is sent out into the real world where it is 1996, not 1840 and medicine exists to cure diphtheria. Outside the small town of Clifton, many people are working to make sure Jessie doesn't get the medicine her friends need and to make sure that their twisted science experiment stays a secret. Jessie is determined to get the help her town needs, but she'll have to outwit quite a few people first.

Information About the Author
While this was her first book, Margaret Peterson Haddix has since written over 20 books for children and young adults. Before writing fiction, she worked as a newspaper reporter. She and her family live in Columbus, Ohio.

Genre
Science fiction

Curriculum Ties


Booktalking Ideas
 Being on the run

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grade 6-9

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas
Some readers may disagree that vaccines are necessary.

Defense
The real issue is choice- the children in the story didn't have the choice to vaccinate or not. Nor did they get the medical care that they wanted. The book makes no commentary on those who willingly forgo modern medicine.


Why Book Included
Margaret Peterson Haddix appeared on several lists of recommended authors