June Book: the age of miracles

For June, I read the age of miracles by Karen Thompson Walker. This was one of the two books that we are reading for the library summer reading program. It is a quick read.

The premise of the story is the Earth's rotation begins to slow. The story takes place in California. The protagonist, Julia is 12 years old. She is recalling the story. Julia, an only child, is a social outcast. The book never really explains why. She loses her best friend when the family moves to Utah after the slowing begins. When they return a few weeks later, Hanna will no longer have anything to do with Julia. This is never explained either.

This book was hard to peg because I think it is adult fiction, but reads more like a Young Adult novel. The protagonist is 12 when the story takes place. It is her coming of age story against the backdrop of the earthly changes. Also, the book is very well written, but the Walker gets away with the Young Adult plot formula. She can make things happen without explaining them.

I was fascinated by the idea of the Earth's rotation slowing down and how it would affect the Earth. I don't know if the bits of science she throws out are accurate. Also, the story takes place exclusively in California. We do not even get news stories about how the rest of the United States or the world are faring.

Also, the government encourages people to stay on "clock" time to keep the economy going. Even though the days lengthen to 50+ hours, people diligently try to stay on clock time. The outcast are the "real timers". Let's see who they are. The old hippy couple that grow pot in their house and the artsy music teacher. Cliche much?

I liked the book. It was an interesting and fast read, but I did not think it was as deserving of the praise it received. Of course, I hated The Kite Runner, another highly praised novel.