Running Out of Time

Running Out of Time by Margaret Peterson Haddix, 1996 Simon & Schuster

     Jessie Keyser lives in small-town Clifton, Indiana. Her family has settled in a village in the 1840s and they live the pioneering life. When a diphtheria outbreak begins to divide the citizens and there doesn't seem to be anything to help. Jessie's mother reveals they aren't really in 1840 Indiana.
     Mrs. Keyser reveals that Clifton is a settlement that recreates life in mid-nineteenth century America, they live in a tourist attraction. Now the children are ill and the owners refuse to provide adequate modern medical care - to preserve authenticity they claim.
     Jessie's mother, along with several other parents, fear for their families. Mrs. Keyser asks Jessie to leave Clifton and enter the modern world to find a cure. Jessie braves 1996 Indiana in search of Isaac Neeley. Along the way she almost loses the food and money her mother supplied, she is nearly captured by Clifton's armed guards, but Jessie escapes and finds Dr. Neeley.
     Neeley brings the overwhelmed teen to his apartment where he drugs her to kill her. Jessie manages to escape Neeley through a window and holds a press conference to get help from the general public. In the middle of the conference Jessie faints and it is discovered she too has diphtheria.
     Jessie is confused by the fantastic technology she encounters in the modern world, but she doesn't allow her amazement to distract her from her ultimate goal. With more and more of the true purposes behind Clifton Village coming to light the danger Jessie and the other families face becomes more apparent. Will she find help or will the children of Clifton run out of time?
     Older elementary readers and fans of both historical fiction and time travel will enjoy Margaret Peterson Haddix's Running Out of Time.

Among the Hidden

Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix, 1998 Simon & Schuster

     Luke has never had a friend, he's never had the chance. Luke is a third child, one of the illegal Shadow Children born against the Population Police's edicts. When a housing development goes up replacing the woods behind Luke's family farm even Luke's ability to go outside is taken from him.
     Trapped inside Luke spends his time watching the world which has been taken from him. In looking out the window Luke discovers a face in one of the new homes across the way - another third child.
     While the world in their sleepy suburb is away at work Jen and Luke meet and become friends. Jen will do anything to escape the shadows, but is Luke willing to go with her? When the Population Police appear in the neighborhood Jen and Luke are both at risk, as are their families.
     Sheltered by his very existence as a third child in a world which only allows two children in each family Luke is easily excited by someone and something new. Like a small child Luke latches onto his new friend and attempts to adapt to the world her presence creates.
     Among the Hidden is the beginning for Luke; his entire life has been surrounded by family and the open air, with the addition of hundreds of eyes the idea of living in hiding becomes a reality. Luke must grow and learn to become a fugitive in truth and in doing so undertakes a dangerous journey. Readers who enjoy suspense will find Luke's adventure thrilling while still mild enough for younger readers.