Odessa Again by Dana Reinhardt (for ages 8 to 12, May 2013, Wendy Lamb Books/Random House)
Synopsis (from Indiebound): Fourth grader Odessa Green-Light lives with her mom and her toad of a little brother, Oliver. Her dad is getting remarried, which makes no sense according to Odessa. If the prefix "re" means "to do all over again," shouldn't he be remarrying Mom? Meanwhile, Odessa moves into the attic room of their new house. One day she gets mad and stomps across the attic floor. Then she feels as if she is falling and lands . . . on the attic floor. Turns out that Odessa has gone back in time a whole day! With this new power she can fix all sorts of things--embarrassing moments, big mistakes, and even help Oliver be less of a toad. Her biggest goal: reunite Mom and Dad.
Why I liked it: This is exactly the kind of book I would have adored as a ten-year-old. It's fun, escapist reading, with time travel! But at the same time it delves into contemporary issues real kids face. I loved Reinhardt's unique treatment of time travel. This isn't like 11 Birthdays or Groundhog Day. The first time Odessa falls back in time, she goes back exactly 24 hours. The next time, it's 23 hours, then 22, and so on. You can see where this is heading. Reinhardt mines the comic possibilities to the fullest, but you also might find your heart pounding when time begins to run out.
Here's Susan Olson's take on it (interestingly, I had planned to feature this book on Sept 30, but got waylaid by a bad cold, and Susan reviewed it instead!)
What's your favorite time travel novel?
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Ohhhh! That is an interesting twist on time travel! Love the descending hours concept and what it entails.
ReplyDeleteExactly, Barbara! There's only a hint in the flap copy of what might happen, so I was surprised that time grew shorter. But I loved that it was so different from other time travel books and movies in which the character gets to relive one day over and over.
DeleteI think I would like this one; I shall look for it.
ReplyDeleteHope you get a chance to read it, Kim.
DeleteThis sounds fun. My favorite time travel book is All Our Yesterdays.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of that one, Natalie. I'll have to check it out.
DeleteI just read about it on Amazon and it sounds like an exciting book, Natalie. I had never heard of it either.
DeleteWhat a fun concept. This one is going right onto my TBR list. Thanks for the review. My favorite time travel books -- I have two -- are both adult books -- The Time Traveler's Wife and Bid Time Return. I do love Dan Gutman's series The Baseball Card Adventures. Great stuff. Thanks for telling me about this book.
ReplyDeleteOoo, that reminds me I still haven't read The Time Traveler's Wife! Thanks, Rosi.
DeleteI can't remember the last time I read a time travel book. :(
ReplyDeleteOn the bright side I really want to read this so I'm putting it on my list and checking the local library.
Thanks Joanne! :)
~Akoss
You're welcome, Akoss. I admit time travel's not for everyone, but I hope you get a chance to read this.
DeleteNice to see a different twist on time travel!
ReplyDeleteI found it refreshing, Andrea!
DeleteWow, very interesting. I think I'm going to check this out and read it. Thanks for the review. Janet
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Janet.
DeleteExceptionally difficult to pick my very favorite time travel book, but I think I would have to go with Charlotte Sometimes.
ReplyDeleteYou certainly read more time travel than anyone I've ever known, Susan. And I haven't read Charlotte Sometimes. I'll add it to my list. Thanks!
DeleteHi Joanne! Two things:
ReplyDeleteFirst: Sounds like a fun book. My favorite time-travel piece is probably Ray Bradbury's "A Sound of Thunder" from back in the 1950's. It was an early short story on the 'Butterfly Effect,' written by one of the all-time masters. Vonnegut's "Slaughterhouse Five" is also a favorite -- a weird and wonderful time-travel novel.
And second: I've started a new blog and retired my old one, and as part of the house-cleaning discovered that I wasn't getting the e-mails from my "Contact Me" page. I just want to apologize for the delay in getting back to you and also say 'you're welcome!" I thought it was an awesome story -- I loved the dreaminess of the girl walking down the aisle towards the stage. It was unique and interesting and written very well. :)
Hi Chris! Kind of you to stop by. I read Slaughterhouse Five in high school and was blown away by it. Yes, one of my favorites too. I'll have to look for that Ray Bradbury short story.
DeleteI found your new blog. Thanks. No need to apologize. Just glad you saw my thank-you note. And I really appreciated you taking the time to single out my writing on DL's blog. I'm determined to get that story published someday.
I read Dana R's The Things a Brother Knows-this sounds really different (and way more fun). Thanks for your kind comments, and no, I didn't know you knew someone repped by BJ. How cool--who is it?
ReplyDeleteI answered your agent question via email, but here I'll just say, wow! What a coincidence. I just finished reading The Things a Brother Knows. Yes, her YA stuff is very different (I've also read How to Build a House and there were some, er, mature situations in that book!)
DeleteThis sounds like a fun book! When I'm done with Cybils reading I will have to read it. Or, you could nominate it if you think it is worthy! :)
ReplyDeleteThere's a thought. But I've already nominated a spec fiction for MG.
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