Sixteen Minutes

Gr 9 Up–A science fiction novel about time travel and the interconnectedness of the universe. Nothing important ever happens in Clawson, NY. At least, that’s what Nell Bannon believes. Until a new girl shows up at school one day and Cole, Nell’s boyfriend, starts acting cagey. Nell and Stevie B, the last third in their trio of friends, slowly piece together the mystery of who this new girl is to Cole, and more importantly, when she came from. Reilly’s prose is contemplative and lyrical. The explanations behind the time travel are standard for the genre, but they contrast beautifully with the poignant dialogue and Nell’s expressive narration. Nell and her friends imagine a life bigger than what they’ve experienced in small-town Clawson, but their responsibilities to their families are keeping them from acting on their dreams. Nell’s journey through the time portal proves how important she is to the future and gives her the courage to make plans for a life beyond Clawson. There are lots of twists in this story, and the pacing is well balanced. Characters are cued white.