Reviews

The Lost Track of Time by Paige Britt

booksnorkel's review against another edition

3.0

I didn’t love this book, not like I loved Phantom Tollbooth. I feel like there was a little bit too much set up, coupled with Penelope not being a very dynamic main character made this whole book feel flat and contrived. I really wasn’t a fan of how her ‘magic’ worked, to avoid a dreadful bore you needed to hum, and to get rid of him you just had to yell ‘interesting’ words at him. Also I didn’t like that she didn’t know what certain words meant even though her parents had her on a really tight studying schedule which included pre-pre SAT prep or whatever. It just seems that someone who is being pushed to the limits on school work would know words like –Anomaly… perhaps that is just me? For girls 5th grade on up looking for a fantasy world that is about slowing down, and taking time to be creative.

h4rmony's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

Just a fun silly little book! Love it! (The beginning is kinda boring but once you get to the actually fun silly little part it’s great)

jayoder16's review against another edition

3.0

The book was a pleasant read and I like the illustrations and the value placed on imagination and wondering and wandering (also known as moodling). I got a bit lost in all the time terms and play on worlds felt a bit forced, but over all an ok read.

julesthebookdragon417's review against another edition

3.0

"The only time you can spend is the time you have right now. And the time you have right now is all the time in the world. Time isn't precious, Penelope. You are. As long as you remember that, you're sure to use it wisely."

Reading this book was like revisiting The Phantom Tollbooth, one of my favorite books in elementary and early middle school. It's fanciful, full of wordplay, and a chance to pause and think about our preconceived notions of--and obsession with--time. It may be children's level chapter book, but it holds just as much food for thoughts for adults.

lyneyswife's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

mary_r_m's review against another edition

4.0

Fun! Kinda like a cross between "Alice in Wonderland" and "A Wrinkle in Time." The play on words were very clever.

lovegirl30's review against another edition

4.0

Review to come.

scmiller's review against another edition

4.0

This book reminded me a lot of Salman Rushdie's first children's book, "Haroun and the Sea of Stories." I'd have to revisit Rushdie's book to give a better comparison, but off the top of my head the following is similar: darkness/sadness/shadows being tangible, continuous play on words/idioms/concepts (or the figurative made literal), a big giant magical bird, and the fantastical worlds are quite similar in terms of imagination and stories being suppressed/forbidden by some powerful force and that entire realm's existence depends on an young child who doesn't realize how important they are to that world.

hbouillon's review against another edition

5.0

This book started out really slow, but once I got into it, it really started to pick up. It's like the magic of Alice in Wonderland with the themes and metaphors you see in The Little Prince. Very good book that even as a children's book, has you thinking about life.

aduchene's review against another edition

2.0

Reminded me of Alice and Wonderland in concept. It built up the story for a while which left me bored and uninterested. The play on words once she entered the new world was entertaining and enjoyable, though.