Time Stoppers (Time Stoppers Series #1)

by Carrie Jones

Overview

Annie Nobody thought she was, well, nobody, living in a nowhere town where nothing goes her way. Day 1 at her newest foster home proves to be dreadful, too . . . and things get even worse when she's chased by something big and scary that definitely wants to eat her.

Luckily for Annie, not everything is what it seems, and she gets swept up--literally--by a sassy dwarf on a hovercraft snowmobile and taken to Aurora, a hidden, magical town on the coast of Maine. There, she finds a new best friend in Jamie Hephastion Alexander--who thought he was a normal kid (but just might be a troll)--and Annie discovers that she's not exactly who she thought she was, either. She's a Time Stopper, meant to protect the enchanted.

Together, Annie and Jamie discover a whole new world of magic, power, and an incredible cast of creatures and characters. But where there's great power, there are also those who want to misuse it, and Aurora is under siege. It's up to the kids to protect their new home, even if it means diving headfirst into magical danger.

Awards for Need
An Indiebound Next Pick
A YALSA BBYA Nominee

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781619638624
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	05/03/2016
Series:	Time Stoppers Series , #1
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	304
Lexile:	650L (what's this?)
File size:	955 KB
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Carrie Jones is the New York Times and internationally bestselling author of the Need series, as well as After Obsession, co-written with Steven E. Wedel. She also co-edited the anthology Dear Bully, about YA authors' experiences with bullying. She is a distinguished alum of Vermont College's MFA program and a part-time police dispatcher in Maine because she likes cop stories. Really.

www.carriejonesbooks.com
Carrie Jones is the New York Times and internationally bestselling author of the Need series, as well as Time Stoppers and After Obsession, co-written with Steven E. Wedel. She also co-edited the anthology Dear Bully, about YA authors' experiences with bullying. She is a distinguished alum of Vermont College's MFA program and a part-time police dispatcher in Maine because she likes cop stories. Really.

www.carriejonesbooks.com

Editorial Reviews

02/29/2016
Jamie Alexander knows that his grandmother is cruel, but he has only recently learned that she’s also a troll. To avoid being eaten on his 13th birthday, Jamie is rescued and whisked to the magical safe haven of Aurora, along with newfound friend Annie Nobody, a foster care reject with hidden powers. A magical gnome that protected Aurora has gone missing, and it’s up to the two newcomers, a dwarf, and an elf to set things right. The scenes in Aurora are enchanting and whimsical, with talking books that literally beg to be read, flying desserts, and fairy tale creatures around every corner. Though plenty of magic is afoot, the children draw their real power from kindness, empathy, and friendship, exchanging witty banter along the way. With a wink and a nod, Jones (the Need series) also suggests that books themselves are a source of much power. Starkly scary scenes are countered by the enduring message that actions determine character, not genetics or upbringing, and a chilling ending sets the stage for the series’ next installment. Ages 8–12. Agent: Edward Necarsulmer IV, Dunow, Carlson & Lerner. (May)

Publishers Weekly

"A wild and fresh take on fantasy with an intriguing cast of characters. Dangerous and scary and fun all rolled into one. In the words of Eva the dwarf, I freaking loved it!" - Lisa McMann, NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author of The Unwanteds series

"An imaginative blend of fantasy, whimsy, and suspense, with a charming cast of underdog characters . . . This new fantasy series will entice younger fans of Harry Potter and Percy Jackson." - School Library Journal

"The plot thickens with every twist and turn. The mix of fantastical creatures along with the suspenseful ride will surely attract many school-aged students." - School Library Connection

"Effervescent, funny, and genuine." - Kirkus Reviews

"Sticks the landing . . . The world building is engaging." - BCCB

"Amid the magic, spells, adventure, and weirdness of this fantasy are embedded not-so-subtle life lessons about kindness, friendship, and cooperation." - Booklist

"A plot that grabs readers and refuses to let go." - VOYA on NEED

"An exciting venture filled with nasty evil creatures, nail-biting action and heart-pounding romance." - Teenreads.com on NEED

From the Publisher

12/01/2017
Gr 4–6—Annie Nobody and Jamie Alexander are two miserable preteens. Annie is an orphan, and Jamie's grandma is a troll—and not the kind that leaves mean comments on the Internet. Jamie's grandma is a real, honest-to-goodness chicken-eating troll, and as Jamie nears his 13th birthday, she has been eyeing him hungrily. If he doesn't turn into a troll himself, he can look forward to becoming the next meal. The lives of this downtrodden duo take a sudden turn for the better when they are whisked off to a tiny, magical village that had been previously cloaked but became vulnerable when the enchanted garden gnome was kidnapped by Jamie's grandmother. Within the welcoming borders of Aurora, Annie discovers that she is a Time Stopper. In Aurora, she is wanted and valued. Meanwhile, Jamie discovers love, friendship, and the courage to face his evil grandmother and father. This delightful story is the foundation of what is likely to be a series featuring these two likable characters. The narrator, Casey Turner, delivers a pitch-perfect performance alternating seamlessly among multiple adult and child characters. VERDICT Listeners who enjoy "The Chronicles of Narnia" or The Hobbit will warm to these unlikely heroes.—Jodeana Kruse, R.A. Long High School, Longview, WA

School Library Journal

2016-02-17
Two neglected kids find a sparkly, magical community and great evil in small-town Maine. Annie's in her 12th foster home, having infuriated previous families with her pallor and her tendency to attract animals. This current family locks her in a frozen backyard with bloodthirsty wolf/dog hybrids. Jamie's always lived in the same home, but after seeing his grandmother summon green-skinned monsters from the woods—and become one—he realizes his family's lifelong threats to eat him weren't jokes. Just as the supposedly-his-family trolls are about to chomp him, Jamie's rescued by a dwarf on a snowmobile. Annie's on the snowmobile too. Jones employs a Roald Dahl-esque sensibility, with evil-adult caricatures, abused yet gentle-hearted kids, and such snacks as "opposite gum" (tastes the opposite of how you feel). Annie goes from "not special"—her name is literally Annie Nobody—to the person whose magic "is our future, our promise, and our salvation." The glittering elements here are kindness, animals, and the invisible magical town right next to Mount Desert, Maine. Exposition about the bad guy drags. Still to come in future volumes: a battle against evil; Jamie waiting out the year in which he might become a troll; and probably, eventually, parents for Annie and Jamie. Given that Jamie's almost the only brown-skinned character, more would be welcome. Longer than necessary but effervescent, funny, and genuine. (Fantasy. 8-12)

Kirkus Reviews