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Martha-A-Cheves
Posted September 29, 2011
Every Child needs a Hero
Nick, of Time - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat and Think With Your Taste Buds
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".please, won't somebody help me?" his voice barely touched the darkened space while he did his very best to hold back the fear that always came when he was alone. Frank Emerson didn't want to cry, he didn't like to cry; and even if Nick said it was okay sometimes, he never cried without good reason - and there was nothing more that Frankie wanted than to be like his big brother. But Nick never got thrown into a smelly, old dumpster either. It wouldn't have been so
bad if it'd been the one by the main doors of the Robert Townsend Elementary School. That was where they threw out the papers and dittos and stuff, so it wasn't so bad in there. But for some reason, Tommy Haywood and Bruce Evans always made sure to toss him into the one behind the lunch room, into stinky old piles of half-rotted food and gross stuff from snotty pasta to curdled milk. And sometimes there was stuff he really didn't want to think about, stuff that was mixed in with the saw dust Harry used to clean up when someone got sick.'
Nick, of Time introduces the reader to two young brothers who, when we first meet them, are deep into the task of navigating life with an absentee parent while surrounded by playground bullies and their mom's creepy boyfriend. There's nothing Nick wouldn't do to care for and protect his little brother, including running interference to keep that creepy boyfriend away from Frank.
As if tending their daily trials and needs weren't enough, one day a friend, in the guise of the school janitor threatens to expose the shame Nick keeps buried from his brother all while revealing a destiny that any adult would find more than a little daunting. Nick and Frank were born from an ancient line of heroes who once saved the world of light and all its inhabitants from the clutches of the malevolent Living Dark and its sinister minions, the Schades. Once again,
the world of light is in danger, and these two young boys must embrace their destinies as one, to save it and all they hold dear.
Throughout the series the recurring theme is family, friendship, and the power of love to heal and overcome any hurt. There are also occasional glimpses into how even a small window of abusive behavior can leave scars and pains that echo forward in unfathomable ways. I also want to make you aware that 30% of all the author'sroyalties from Nick, of Time go to the prevention of child abuse through the "Heroes of the Line" campaign. -
Riveting and Touching Tale
Nick of Time; Heroes of the Line, Book 1 by J. A. Carlton, author of Wednesday's Child, Broken, and Into the Fire, is the riveting tale of two young boys whose ordinary lives quickly become anything but. Ten-year-old Nick is a protective and loving older brother, given responsibility for taking care of his younger, "scary smart" five-year-old brother, Frankie; they have seemingly ordinary lives filled with the usual childhood problems: bullies, a widowed mother who is constantly working, and hand-me-down clothes.
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When the janitor, Harry, gives Nick a mysterious watch, he discovers that he has the ability to freeze-control time, in marginal increments, and only when the purpose is right, the need is right, and the moment is right. Gone are the days when his perpetual tardiness leaves his younger brother as the target for bullies, and no more are the boys powerless over the malicious influences in their lives.
Frankie is in awe of his brother's newfound talents, and believes that he is going to be a "superhero," the preternaturally smart five year old suggests that he call himself "Nick of Time," a play on words using his name and the fact that he saved Frankie in "the nick of time." Frankie hopefully suggests that he could be Nick's sidekick, "Second Hand," since all of their clothing is second-hand and there is a second-hand on the clock. Frankie begins to develop some special powers of his own, gifted with the ability, albeit limited, to read minds. With the boys' new powers comes great responsibility, and they must protect themselves from the schades, evil forces who do not want them to learn to increase their powers.
Superficially, Carlton provides readers with a compelling plot; beneath the surface, the thematic elements of good v. evil, destiny v. choice, overcoming adversity, courage, honor, family, love, and duty give the story deeper meaning. The two brothers' love for each other is truly touching, and Carlton addresses far deeper themes and topics than other gifted children type stories, making for an intense and meaningful plot. Indeed, Carlton's page-turning story leaves readers anxious for the next installment of the Heroes of the Line series.