An exceptional debut novel, Karen Thompson Walker’s, Age of Miracles will unnerve you by its realistic portrayal of a world literally spinning out of control. Walker presents the common coming of age novel in an uncommon apocalyptic near future setting. The main character, Julia endures sixth grade during the first year of what comes to be called the “slowing.” The earth has slowed its rotation around the sun with devastating consequences. The plausibility of the scenario and the reactions of the characters portrayed make this novel an eerie and irresistible read.

posted Jul 23, 2012 at 2:04PM

Climate change vanishes from the headlines when a new and baffling condition strikes earth. No one knows why but the earth's rate of rotation on its axis is slowing. Days lengthen -- eventually to the length of former weeks. In an effort to retain some normalcy, most people continue to live by "clock time" which causes light and dark to be out of sync with sleeping and waking. Julia, an 11-year-old going through the usual 6th grade problems with bullying, cliques, boys and friends tells the story. To enjoy this book, don't think too hard about the science. The details of that is not the main thrust of the story anyway. The point is how humans deal with this global catastrophe that goes beyond earthquakes, floods, tsunami etc. As humanity's tenure on earth winds down, what do we do? How do we leave a legacy? Who will know that we were here? A very quick read that should be enjoyed by kids and teens as well as adults.

posted Nov 29, 2012 at 3:24PM

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