Odessa Again

March 18, 2013
Any child who has wished to fix a mistake by going back in time will appreciate the elation of fourth-grader Odessa Green-Light, when she discovers that she can step backward one day by stomping in exactly the right spot on her bedroom floor. At once, Odessa recognizes the advantages of this phenomenon, and when she attempts to make small alterations to the past, like improving her score on a spelling test and delivering just the right birthday gift to a lonely neighbor, all goes well. But when Odessa tries to solve bigger problems, such as her brother’s lack of popularity or her parents’ divorce, things quickly turn sour, causing Odessa to realize there is a down side to messing with fate. Deftly incorporating magic realism into her plot, Reinhardt (The Summer I Learned to Fly) introduces a smart, big-hearted heroine who isn’t afraid to go after what she wants. Odessa’s triumphs and mishaps will bring laughs and pangs of sympathy, and set imaginations spinning. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 8–12. Agent: Douglas Stewart, Sterling Lord Literistic. Illustrator’s agent: Lori Nowicki, Painted Words.

March 15, 2013
Odessa Green-Light discovers a loophole in time. Now she can fix all kinds of things, especially the de-hyphenation of her family. In her first book of middle-level fiction, young-adult author Reinhardt (The Summer I Learned to Fly, 2011, etc.) offers the wistful tale of fourth-grader Odessa Green-Light, who, stomping in anger on the floor of her attic bedroom, discovers a loophole that allows her to travel back in time one day. What Odessa most wants is to re-hyphenate her family, getting Dad to remarry Mom. She soon finds that each time she jumps, she loses one hour of the previous day. So she has 24 chances to fix things, like the bangs haircut that was a big mistake, farting in front of the boy she like-likes or beating her brother to a $100 bill he finds first. The power Odessa initially feels at having a second chance soon diminishes; she realizes she cannot change what really matters. Realistically drawn, Odessa is a believable, likable kid on the brink of growing up, struggling with family changes. Regan's black-and-white spot illustrations are unexceptional. With humor as well as depth, this is an endearing story of a spunky girl who realizes that life gets more, not less, confusing as she grows up. (Fiction. 8-12)

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June 1, 2013

Gr 3-5-When fourth-grader Odessa Green-Light gets mad at her toady little brother, Oliver, and stomps on the floor of her attic bedroom, she is shocked to find herself in the same spot exactly 24 hours earlier. The next time she stomps on the floor she finds herself exactly 23 hours back in time. Once she realizes she has unique time-travel capabilities, she employs her powers to go back and right the supposed wrongs in her life, such as when she forgot to study for a quiz, or when she had unexpected flatulence in front of the boy she liked. As the hours tick downward, however, Odessa wonders if she is wasting her powers on selfish changes. Perhaps she can find a way to rehyphenate her divorced parents, or help her brother or mother in ways that really count. Odessa's relationships with friends, family, and her elderly landlord are built upon nicely as she matures with this realization. Though no explanation is given for the inexplicable time travel, the story flows well and will be relished by readers who have ever wished they could go back and fix events that have just occurred.-Michele Shaw, Quail Run Elementary School, San Ramon, CA

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2013
Grades 4-6 Odessa Green-Light's life has been tougher since her parents' divorce. Her dad is remarrying, and Odessa, her mom, and little brother, Oliver, have to move to a new house. At least Odessa gets to bunk in the attic, but once there, she has a surprising experience. She falls through the attic floor and goes back a day in time. At first, this just seems weird. Then Odessa begins to see the possibilities that come with reliving a dayif you can change things for the better. Of course, Odessaand readerssoon sees that changing the past comes with consequences for the future. And not always good ones. The story runs on familiar themes: the desire to have parents reunite; an annoying sibling; the possibility of a first boyfriend. While the time-travel aspect adds another dimension (pun intended), it is laboriously explained, and even then doesn't always add up. Still, this Groundhog Day redo for the younger set does pose some intriguing questions about what's important in life and whether you want the power to make other people's decisions for them.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)