From Publishers Weekly
Fans of Sleator's creature features (The Boxes; The Beasties) will find this tale of redemption less grotesque, but satisfying nonetheless. Eleven-year-old Peter finds out he is adopted, strives to gain glimmers of affection from his stoic, insensitive parents and gets killed by a car when he runs out of their home in a tearful rage. "Peter always acted without thinking," says his mother at his funeral. But life is not over yet; Peter is granted three chances to get it right before he is permanently dead. And in the process he learns to make friends, communicate clearly with his parents about his anxieties and follow his dream of being an artist even though his mother finds it a "waste of time" and his father thinks he should do something more manly. Peter is likable, creative and admirable in his ability to change his behavior. Sleator playfully examines the idea of time travel and of consciously tampering with the future. When a silly conflict arises because Peter thoughtlessly predicts the future (having lived through the same days several times), its resolution is simple and emotionally truthful. Adoptees and time- travel fans alike will find fun and fulfillment in this fantasy of second, third and fourth chances. Ages 10-14. (July)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From School Library Journal
Grade 5-8-After Peter is killed in a car accident, he is told that he can go back to try and avoid his death, but he has to do more than simply not run out in front of the car that struck him. The events leading up to and causing him to run are what need to be changed. The first two times, he fails and again dies. He ultimately finds out that how he deals with his family and schoolmates has more to do with his life than just staying out of the way of a speeding vehicle. He becomes more aware of his parents and their feelings and in return they begin to accept him for who he is and not reject him for what he isn't. Peter's character is well-rounded; he thinks in many different directions before figuring out what to change in his life. The secondary characters are more one-dimensional, particularly Peter's parents, who are viewed only from his perspective and often come across as uncaring. A story that shows readers how their behavior affects the people and events around them.
Kendra Nan Skellen, Gwinnett County Public Library, Lawrenceville, GA Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
