A Year Without Autumn

I've been partially interested in checking out the Emily Windsnap series of books, but I looked into other things the author wrote first; figuring just one book would be good to start, to gauge whether a whole series would be worth it. After finishing this story, I can safely say I like Liz Kessler's writing, and can't wait to check out her other works.Jenni is a shy, quiet, introverted girl who's family owns a time share. Every summer, they go to spend a week at a hotel/campsite, where she gets to see her best friend-energetic and outgoing Autumn. One day, while exploring the hotel, Jenni discovers an old fashioned elevator that, along with taking her up a floor, also takes her a full year into the future. There, she discovers a great tragedy has struck Autumn and her family, and has caused a rift between the two friends. With the help of an elderly lady also caught in the time trap, will Jenni be able to return to her own time and avert a disaster?Like I said in the title, this reads like an episode of the Twilight Zone, only for a younger audience. Both Jenni and Autumn are amazingly well written; each with their own strengths and flaws, and they sound like actual kids (and not mini adults). While Autumn can be unintentionally bossy and controlling at times, she's none the less a very outspoken and supportive friend, and to see her dramatic change in the future is utterly heartbreaking. (What the tragedy is, I won't spoil here.) And Jenni goes through a massive character arc-beginning as an introvert who just follows the crowd, to learning how to be more confident and speak up for herself-a change that ultimately saves the future for both her and her friends. (Again, I won't spoil how.)As for the time travel, I'd go easy on the specifics, because with any story involving time travel, you're bound to run into paradoxes. They explain the mechanics of the magic elevator pretty clearly and easily enough to follow, and there weren't any big holes in logic that I could find. And in any case, the "magic" isn't really the most important thing-the whole point is just to teach how our attitudes and actions can shape our future, in more ways than one.For any fans of the Twilight Zone, time travel, and/or friendships and drama, this is the book for you. And to Liz Kessler, I'm definately checking out your other books now!

I ordered this book to read so that a favorite grandniece out-of-state and I could discuss this for her book report. Quite enjoyable and engaging story for our "book club".

My 9 year old could not put this book down. She really loved it but parts of it made her really sad and even a few weeks later she is worried about slipping into a coma as apparently one of the characters does. I feel like that's a sign of a good book in that it has stuck with her like that. So, great book but beware of the medical drama. This was her first experience with a book with a darker side to it.

…but I prefer "North of Nowhere" by the same author, written about a year later, it's a more pleasant story to read. Interesting concept, sort of like an old "Twilight Zone" TV episode but this one is slower going and has more unpleasant detail than "Nowhere". It might be written for a 12 year old but many adults will like it.

Great story for tweens and teens. Will definitely capture their interest. Highly recommended.

I love the author liz Kessler and all of her books. They always keep you reading and wondering what will happen next. This was probably my favorite book so book. There is nothing bad about this book that I can think of but I liked everything.

It's a really good book along with all Liz Kessler's books. Liz Kessler is by far one of my favorite authors, I read almost all of her books and all them are great!

Good story for a young girl. Reinforces the principle of never giving up on your goals. Unlike the Emily Windsnap series it deals in reality and real life issues.

I love this book. I almost felt as if I was actually there. Everyone should read this book. I might read more of her books I guess. It makes changing the future more possible and more t err he. This book changes unrealistic ideas more of the opposite. I read this book in a day. I like it how everything changes. From beginning to finish this book felt like I was transformed to another world. This happens when I read an extremely good book.

A year without autumn is one of those books that you can't put down. It's an amazing read and truly inspiring. This story represents an inseparable friendship. I really really enjoyed this book and I have to say, it's going onto my favourites list. In this book, jenni, the main character learns that her best friend is more important than anything else in the world to her. She will do anything for autumn, so she decides to save her and her family's life from going into a trauma. Because she knows the future.

Liz Kessler's books are my 11 year old daughter's favourite books by far. She is a prolific reader of everything and anything but she talks about these books endlessly and she has read them all over and over during the last two years. I have not read them myself but she has read me many highly descriptive passages that particularly fascinate her and she is very animated when she talks about the characters and plot in detail. I truly believe these books have also helped her own creative writing as the descriptive style is very similar to what is encouraged by teaching in KS2 and KS3. A teachers dream series of books I would expect.

I bought this book as a Christmas gift for my granddaughter who loves this author, so was very disappointed to see that the front cover was bent. It arrived in a parcel with other items which were all fine.

Really lovely book that my 11 year old daughter is really enjoying. Arrived quickly and well packaged.