It’s the summer of 1999, and Y2K is looming. Michael Rosario and his babysitter, Gibby, meet a strange boy named Ridge who claims he’s from the future. Michael and Gibby start to believe him, and they help him experience life in 1999. But when Ridge’s plans to return to the future are derailed, Michael and Gibby quickly realize their new friend is in dire trouble.
People had plenty to worry about in 1999. In addition to the usual personal and cultural and political stressors, everyone was looking at the calendar: When it flipped to the year 2000, no one was quite sure how the mostly computerized world would handle it. Would society itself collapse? Some thought that it just might.
Now, with Y2K only a few months away, Michael Rosario is doing everything he can to prepare. However, money has been tight since his mom lost her job. Michael desperately wants to be ready for the uncertain future.
But an answer to his problems might have just arrived at the Fox Run Apartments.
Michael and his babysitter, Gibby, meet a teenager named Ridge wandering around the apartment complex. Ridge is dressed very strangely, and his use of slang is even stranger. Soon he makes a startling claim: He’s from the future.
At first, Michael and Gibby dismiss this outrageous claim. But when Ridge successfully predicts an earthquake on the other side of the world, they realize he must be telling the truth. They help Ridge blend in and experience what it’s like to live in 1999. Michael tries to get Ridge to tell him more about what will happen in the future, but Ridge steadfastly refuses. Instead, he encourages Michael to focus on the first state of being—the present.
Soon, Ridge decides he should return to his own time. But the device that’s supposed to send Ridge back to the future doesn’t work. Michael and Gibby frantically try to help Ridge get home, but then Ridge gets sick—and rapidly gets worse.
Michael and Gibby know time is running out. If nothing changes, Ridge won’t even live to see the year 2000.
None.
Some people in the future believe that “upgrades,” which eliminate human imperfections, are a stage in human evolution.
Michael’s dad isn’t around or involved in his life. Mr. Mosley is Michael’s only real father figure. Michael’s mom, meanwhile, is very engaged: Her son is her top priority, and she’s involved in his life despite working long hours. Gibby is Michael’s babysitter, but she treats him more like a friend. Gibby’s mom left, so her dad makes her do all the housework. Mr. Mosely used to be married.
Michael steals food and other items to create a stash for Y2K. He justifies his actions to himself by thinking about how he and his mom don’t have much money. The book alludes to cursing multiple times, but we don’t read any actual swear words. Gibby says “bad-a.” Michael lies throughout the book, including to his mom, Gibby and Ridge, and he wishes he could punch someone. Mr. Mosely dies of a heart attack.
Michael has a crush on Gibby. A character has posters of women in bikinis on his walls. Kissing is mentioned.
How did Michael handle his anxiety? Are you often anxious or worried?
Read Philippians 4:6-7. What should you do when you’re worried?
Read Matthew 6:25-34. How do you think this relates to Ridge’s advice about focusing on the present?
This book offers an interesting take on time travel and transports readers back to what it was like to be a kid before the internet and social media dominated culture. Kelly infuses many key themes into her book such as choosing to be present, not anxious. However, the absence of any faith elements ultimately makes hope ring hollow.
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Book reviews cover the content, themes and worldviews of fiction books, not necessarily their literary merit, and equip parents to decide whether a book is appropriate for their children. The inclusion of a book’s review does not constitute an endorsement by Focus on the Family.
Review by Rachel Pfeiffer
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