Running out of Time

Running out of Time by Margaret Peterson Haddix follows Jessie who lives in a frontier village in the year 1840.  At least that's what she's grown up believing.  When a massive Diphtheria outbreak hits her village she learns the truth from her mother.  She has been living in a tourist attraction and the year is actually 1996.  She must escape from the village and expose the problems so that she can get help for the sick in her village.

This is a terrific story of a girl leaving everything she's known to get help.  Modern life is a mystery to Jessie and everything is new and scary.  The book is an adventure from beginning to end and I couldn't put it down.

Appropriateness:  There is no adult content in this book.  There are a few scary moments but nothing that would terrify older elementary students.  Jessie is a strong girl and a good role model and there is enough action in the story to keep boys engaged.  There is no romantic subplot.  I would recommend this book to readers 10-14.