Twelve-year-old Ben Turner’s mother has just died unexpectedly, sending him from his known life in Nashville, Tennessee to a small town in South Carolina, under the care of a grandmother he’s never met. His stern grandmother has some odd rules for life in her creepy mansion full of clocks, each displaying different times: never reset the clocks, and never go up to the third floor.
Readers will immediately surmise that this is exactly what Ben will do. Together with two new friends, he begins to uncover the secrets of the house—secrets that are bound closely to his own family history. It’s not too much of a spoiler to say that this involves time travel (the book blurb refers to “something to do with the very fabric of time itself”), but I’ll avoid revealing further details.
Ben is also gay, and confidently so. He develops a crush that isn’t a major part of the plot but forms a steady undercurrent. Additionally, he says he’s “big for my age,” and while some might call him “fat,” he’s confident in his size and undeterred by people who disparage it.
Author Greg Howard also weaves in observations about race and socioeconomic class that serve to deepen our understanding of the characters and their setting. Ben’s life with his mother was one of financial insecurity. Ben, who is White, also lived for a time with a Black family before going to his grandmother’s, and sees the racism they experience when they bring him to South Carolina. One new friend is also Black, while the other is White and Jewish.
The story blends an atmospheric mystery and adventure with a thoughtful exploration of intergenerational hurt, grief, healing, and family both chosen and (re)found. Twists and options at the end should make this recommended book even more engaging and thought-provoking for young readers.
Content warning: Ben’s mother died from a drug overdose related to painkiller addiction.
