The Golden Hour (novel) facts for kids
.jpg) |
|
| Author | Maiya Williams |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Golden Hour |
| Genre | Young adult; Adventure |
| Publisher | Amulet Books |
|
Publication date
|
2004 |
| ISBN | 0-8109-4823-0 |
| OCLC | 53331592 |
| [Fic] 22 | |
| LC Class | PZ7.W66687 Go 2004 |
| Followed by | The Hour of the Cobra |
The Golden Hour is an exciting children's novel written by Maiya Williams. It came out in 2004. This book is the first in a cool time travel series called "The Golden Hour." It follows the adventures of Rowan Popplewell and his sister, Nina. They are going through a tough time after their mom passes away. Then, they accidentally travel back in time to the French Revolution!
Contents
An Amazing Time Travel Adventure
The Golden Hour shares the adventures of Rowan and Nina. These happen during the summer after their mother's death. Thirteen-year-old Rowan is having a very difficult time. His dad is struggling, and their family business is not doing well. They even had to move from their house to a small apartment. His ten-year-old sister, Nina, who loves music, has become very quiet.
A Summer in Maine
Rowan and Nina's two great aunts invite them to spend the summer. They live in Owatannauk, Maine. This is a small, made-up town at the very tip of the state. Rowan thinks the summer will be super boring. He expects to spend it with two older women. But when he gets there, strange things start to happen. The aunts run a unique shop called a curio shop. It sells many unusual items. Some of these items are so interesting that Nina even starts talking again!
Discovering the Time Machine
Rowan and Nina soon meet twins named Xanthe and Xavier Alexander. The twins tell them about an old, empty resort. It seems like it might be haunted. But the resort is not haunted at all. Instead, it turns out to be a secret and complex time machine. Nina seems very interested in using this machine. She wants to escape her difficult life.
Rowan tells her about a time called the Enlightenment. This was a period in European history. During this time, people started to use logic and reason. They moved away from old superstitions. Art and science grew a lot, and people celebrated truth and beauty.
Journey to the French Revolution
The next morning, Nina disappears. The older kids quickly rush to the resort. They suspect she has used the time machine. But Rowan realizes he told his sister the wrong dates for the Enlightenment. Instead of sending her to Enlightenment France, he sent her right into the middle of the very violent French Revolution.
Rowan, Xanthe, and Xavier must now travel through time. They go to the French Revolution to save Nina. Along the way, they meet many interesting people from history. In the end, Nina finds herself in New York. She is visiting their mom at their bakery.
Meet the Characters
Rowan Popplewell
Rowan is a young boy facing a lot of stress. After his mother's death, he moved with his dad and sister. They now live in a small apartment. He does not have his own room. Before his mom passed, Rowan had many friends. He had a good social life. Now, he plays video games to forget his problems. He describes himself as strong but not someone girls usually notice.
Nina Popplewell
Nina is Rowan's younger sister. Rowan says she "was a firecracker." She was always full of new ideas. She has wild, dark hair that falls over her shoulders and face. Nina is also a musical genius. Since she was three, she could play songs she heard on the radio on the piano. After her mother died, Nina became very quiet. She stopped speaking. Rowan even felt like he "had no sister." The book also shows that she is very smart.
Xanthe Alexander
Xanthe has many shoulder-length braids. She also has almond-shaped eyes. She is described as very attractive. She loves learning about native cultures. She is interested in living close to nature. She also likes things that are mystical and mysterious. Xanthe is homeschooled. This is because she and her brother are very smart. They are too gifted for regular public school. She is also described as very logical.
Xavier Alexander
Xavier is also described as attractive. He is very good at telling stories that are not quite true. He changes himself to fit any situation. He loves to make stories more exciting. He has a very big ego. Xavier also wants freedom, independence, and adventure. These ideas fit the exciting spirit of the Gold Rush. Like his sister, he is homeschooled because he is very intelligent. He and Xanthe are fraternal twins. He is the funny one of the two.
Agatha Drake
Agatha is a very short and round woman. Rowan thinks she looks like a pumpkin. She has light brown hair that is always messy. She likes to wear bright colors. The book hints that she can read minds. Agatha lives with her friend Gertrude Pembroke. They live in Owatannauk, Maine. She uses the Owatannauk's special "alleviators" (time machines). She travels through time to collect items. These items are for her and Gertrude's curio shop. The book mentions she enjoys word games like Scrabble. She is also a nun.
Gertrude Pembroke
Gertrude is a tall and thin woman. She has a deep, musical voice. She lives with her friend Agatha Drake in Owatannauk, Maine. She is not as outgoing as Agatha. She is often described as serious. She wears more serious colors than Agatha. It is noted that she enjoys playing chess.
