THE TIMEKEEPER
by Emily Rodda & illustrated by Noela Young
What happens when a discrepancy in time upsets parallel worlds? Here, it's akin to the shifting of tectonic plates, coupled with the dumping of a bottomless junk drawer. In a sequel to Finders Keepers (1991), Patrick Minter is summoned to cross the Barrier once again, in order to prevent the destruction of the worlds on both sides. To avert this rapidly approaching annihilation, Patrick must get the Chestnut Tree Village clock mended before the stroke of noon, despite numerous obstacles: a rapidly deteriorating Barrier wall through which drop increasing numbers of objects from the other side; greedy Barrier combers; a desperately ill timekeeper; a missing brother and sister. Readers unfamiliar with Finders Keepers may occasionally feel confused (especially by the computer elements), but fans of the first novel will enjoy this engaging light fantasy. Illustrations not seen. (Fiction. 9-12)