Time and Again

Having a voracious appetite for learning herself, it was hard to understand how a person could be as resistant to learning as Merrideth was. She remembered her professor’s opinion on the subject, that a desire to learn is one of the things that distinguishes man from the animals and when that desire is completely gone, the person has become something less than human. According to his theory, Abby thought, Merrideth has passed the couch potato stage and is well on the way to becoming a real slug.

 Book: Time and Again : Charlotte of Miles Station by Deborah Heal, Tate Publishing, 2011

 

Genre: Realistic Fiction and Historical Fiction

Target Audience: Girls 16-20

Subjects: Laziness, Family Relationships, Trust in God

Summary: It’s just a computer program… right? It can’t actually be real… can it? Abby’s not sure what to think about this program that allows the user to see and hear and experience everything the character does, to truly know what the character is thinking. All she knows is that it’s able to do something nothing else has done yet this summer: get the young girl she is tutoring to be interested in something besides junk food and tv. All of a sudden Merrideth is taking an interest in learning and exploring the world around her. And even more amazing she seems to be caring for someone other than herself. It’s not until the character in the program reaches a danger point though, that Abby realizes just how much hurt and pain is stored up in this young girl at her parents’ divorce. She’s angry at her parents, the world, and especially at God.

Notes: This is a book set in modern times that makes use of characters exploring a very realistic computer program to learn the history of a small town that was once a railroad station. It’s the story of a college student tutoring a teenage girl who has no motivation to learn or apply herself to anything. Abby starts to make a difference in Merrideth but realizes that what Merrideth needs more than a desire to learn, an interest in her world, or even hygiene lessons, is a faith in God. She sees the hurt she’s experienced as evidence that God doesn’t care about her. Through the computer program and seeing someone else’s whole life, Abby shows Merrideth how God’s plans are bigger than ours and even when we’re hurting, He is working out His will in the midst of it and will cause good to come of it.

Recommendation Scale: 4/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Romans 8:28 – And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.