Prisoner Of Time - Book Review

by Hannah

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I. TITLE: Prisoner of time
AUTHOR: Cooney, Caroline B.
PUBLISHER: Delacorte Press, 1998, 200 pp.

II. SUBJECT HEADINGS: Time travel; Romance; Women’s rights
MOOD/TONE: Suspenseful

III. MAJOR CHARACTERS
Devonny Stratton: a young, upper-class woman who is a feminist ahead of her time
Tod Lockwood: boy from the 1990s, Annie’s younger brother
Mr. Stratton: Devonny’s father
Flossie: Devonny’s best friend
Gianni: Flossie’s Italian fiancé
Lord Hugh-David Winden: English nobleman who is engaged to Devonny


IV. PLOT
The story begins in the late 19th century, once more with the Stratton family. This time, the story is focused on Devonny Stratton. Her father has arranged her to marry Lord Hugh-David Winden. Meanwhile, Devonny’s best friend, Flossie, is planning to elope with Gianni, because Flossie’s parents do not approve of her marrying an Italian immigrant.
Annie Lockwood’s brother, Tod, travels back in time while drawing water from the pump near the site of the old Stratton Mansion. Devonny immediately recognizes that Tod has come from the future, and pleads for his help. But Tod returns to his own time before he can help her. Then, Mr. Stratton receives a blackmail letter, threatening to reveal that this only son was committed to an insane asylum, which would prevent Devonny from marrying. On the wedding day, Devonny is rescued by Tod, who takes her into the 1990s. Tod passes her off as an exchange student from England, and she is allowed to stay with his family.
Back in the 1800s, Mr. Stratton has discovered that it was his ex-wife, Aurelia, who threatened to blackmail him. Mr. Stratton locks her up in the attic. Lord Winden believes that Flossie and Gianni are involved in Devonny’s disappearance. He finds Gianni and keeps him captive. Then, Lord Winden realizes his mistake, releases Gianni, and Flossie and Gianni are able to marry.
Finally, after spending a few days in the 1990s, Devonny realizes she must return to her own time. When she does, she and Lord Winden agree to marry. They have both matured over the course of their engagement because of their adventures. Mr. Stratton releases Aurelia and forgives her. Lord Winden, in his turn, agrees that he will not gamble, nor will he have mistresses. Devonny is allowed to choose a new wedding dress.

V. COMMENTS
This book has a clear social message unlike the others in the series. The books in this series are more like companion books rather than sequels—you never find out what happened to Annie and Strat, the main characters in the first book. Prisoner of time, like all the books in the series, has excellent characterizations and is well written. The series would be especially appealing to junior high girls who are fans of the fantasy genre.

Hannah
http://www.world-of-childrens-books.com/

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Edited Copy


I. TITLE: Prisoner Of Time
AUTHOR: Cooney, Caroline B.
PUBLISHER: Delacorte Press, 1998, 200 pp.

II. SUBJECT HEADINGS:
Time travel; Romance; Women’s rights
MOOD/TONE: Suspenseful

III. MAJOR CHARACTERS:
Devonny Stratton: a young, upper-class woman who is a feminist ahead of her time.
Tod Lockwood: a boy from the 1990s, Annie’s younger brother.
Mr. Stratton: Devonny’s father.
Flossie: Devonny’s best friend.
Gianni: Flossie’s Italian fiancé.
Lord Hugh-David Winden: an English nobleman who is engaged to Devonny.


IV. PLOT:

The story begins in the late 19th century, once again with the Stratton family. This time, the story is focused on Devonny Stratton. Her father has arranged for her to marry Lord Hugh-David Winden. Meanwhile, Devonny’s best friend, Flossie, is planning to elope with Gianni, because Flossie’s parents do not approve of her marrying an Italian immigrant.

Annie Lockwood’s brother, Tod, travels back in time while drawing water from the pump near the site of the old Stratton Mansion. Devonny immediately recognizes that Tod has come from the future, and pleads for his help but Tod returns to his own time before he can help her.

Then, Mr. Stratton receives a blackmail letter, threatening to reveal that this only son was committed to an insane asylum, which would prevent Devonny from marrying. On the wedding day, Devonny is rescued by Tod, who takes her to the 1990s. Tod passes her off as an exchange student from England, and she is allowed to stay with his family.

Back in the 1800s, Mr. Stratton has discovered that it was his ex-wife, Aurelia, who threatened to blackmail him and Mr. Stratton locks her up in the attic. Lord Winden believes that Flossie and Gianni are involved in Devonny’s disappearance. He finds Gianni and keeps him captive.

Lord Winden then realizes his mistake, releases Gianni, and Flossie and Gianni are able to marry.

Finally, after spending a few days in the 1990s, Devonny realizes she must return to her own time. When she does, she and Lord Winden agree to marry.

They have both matured over the course of their engagement because of their adventures. Mr. Stratton releases Aurelia and forgives her. Lord Winden, in turn, agrees that he will not gamble, nor will he have mistresses. Devonny is allowed to choose a new wedding dress.

V. COMMENTS:

This book has a clear social message, unlike the others in the series. The books in this series are more like companion books than sequels—you never find out what happened to Annie and Strat, the main characters in the first book. "Prisoner Of Time", like all the books in the series, has excellent characterizations and is well written.

The series would be especially appealing to junior high girls who are fans of the fantasy genre.

Hannah
http://www.world-of-childrens-books.com/