From School Library Journal
Grade 5-7?This British import combines time travel and contemporary concerns to create an unusual novel. Tam, a 12-year-old boy struggling with his parents' divorce, finds refuge at an old burned-out farmhouse. After meeting a homeless old woman and her loyal dog, Winnie, he suddenly and briefly gets a glimpse of the past. Fearful but intrigued, the boy returns to the old house and travels 50 years into the past. Despite hostility from the villagers and concerns about his situation, Tam spends two happy weeks with a friendly farmer, Mr. Nutter, and young May, a traumatized child of uncertain origins and abilities. Back in the present, Tam is unable to explain his absence to his parents or to forget the friends he left behind. By time-traveling once more, he discovers that while he is unable to prevent a past tragedy, he can make a positive impact in the present. Although the plot is well paced, the period detail convincing, and the "past" cast of characters vivid and engaging, Burgess's characterizations of Tam and his family are somewhat sketchy. This may make it difficult for readers to care deeply about his adventures or to believe in the novel's hopeful, if somewhat abrupt, resolution. Despite lingering questions and quibbles, however, Burgess's novel may find an appreciative audience among those who enjoy a thought-provoking read.?Lisa Dennis, The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Gr. 5^-8. Twelve-year-old Tam lives in a small town in England. Troubled by his parents' divorce and having problems at home and at school, he wanders to the ruins of a deserted farm. There he encounters the homeless Rosey and her dog and travels with them 50 years into the past, where he meets Farmer Nutter and his disturbed ward, May. Tam's 1990s clothing and behavior are suspicious to the villagers, and he and May, both outsiders, become friends. As he becomes more aware of time traveling, Tam learns that Nutter is later killed in a fire and that May, further traumatized by this tragedy, grows up to be Rosey. Tam's own problems, his compassion for May/Rosey, and his struggle against significant odds to help her are at the heart of Burgess' beautiful novel. And, Tam's growth--from the novel's beginning, when he throws a rock at Rosey, to its end, when he stretches across her life of pain to reach her--is a story of courage, moral development, friendship, and love.
Merri Monks
