With the bustling celebrations of Hanukkah and Christmas now behind us and school still on pause, Canadian children find themselves with a precious commodity: free time. This quiet period between holidays presents a perfect opportunity for young readers to dive into leisure reading. To match the season's reflective mood, here are three engaging books that all creatively grapple with the theme of time.
Time Surfers: A Sci-Fi Salvage Adventure
Author-illustrator Kevin Sylvester takes readers aged 8 to 12 on a thrilling journey through history in Time Surfers, published by HarperCollins. The story follows young Caleb and his inventor father, John Fisher, who are part of a unique salvage crew. Their mission? To travel back in time and rescue priceless artifacts moments before they are lost to famous disasters.
Their daring exploits include saving paintings from the RMS Lusitania in 1915 and ancient scrolls from the burning Great Library of Alexandria in 48 BC. However, strict rules govern their work: they must not alter history and are absolutely forbidden from bringing anyone from the past to the present. The plot thickens when a young girl named Sara is discovered hiding on their ship, The Fish, after the Alexandria mission, putting John in serious jeopardy with the authorities. This fast-paced novel is ideal for children with an interest in science, technology, and the endless possibilities of time travel.
Tuck Everlasting: A 50-Year Legacy of Life's Big Questions
Celebrating a significant milestone, Natalie Babbitt's groundbreaking novel Tuck Everlasting marks its 50th anniversary with a special new edition from Farrar Straus Giroux. Aimed at readers 10 to 14, this timeless story explores a different kind of time travel: the permanent stasis of immortality.
The narrative centers on the Tuck family, who have accidentally discovered a spring that grants eternal life, forcing them to live outside the natural flow of time. The book poses a profound and enduring question to its audience: If you could live forever, would you choose to? This anniversary edition retains Babbitt's original, evocative cover painting of the Tucks' cabin but is enhanced with eight new interior illustrations by Bagram Ibatoulline. It also features a reflective foreword by author Gabrielle Zevin and a personal afterword from Babbitt's daughter, Lucy. A thought-provoking classic, it continues to resonate with generations of readers.
A Graphic Novel Adaptation for a New Generation
For those who enjoy visual storytelling, Tuck Everlasting: The Graphic Novel, adapted and illustrated by K. Woodman-Maynard, offers a fresh way to experience the classic tale. Also published by Farrar Straus Giroux for ages 10 to 14, this adaptation stays meticulously true to Babbitt's original prose, beginning with the novel's iconic first sentence.
In an insightful exchange included at the back of the book, Lucy Babbitt and adapter K. Woodman-Maynard discuss the unique challenges of transforming a beloved novel into the graphic novel format. This version provides a compelling gateway into the story for reluctant readers or those who appreciate visual narrative, ensuring the Tuck family's poignant meditation on life, death, and time reaches an even wider audience.
These three distinct books demonstrate how the concept of time can fuel everything from edge-of-your-seat adventures to deep philosophical inquiry. As the holiday break continues, they offer Canadian kids and teens not just a way to pass the time, but a chance to think about its very nature.
