Countdown to Yesterday (Shirley Marr, Puffin)

Shirley Marr’s latest novel, Countdown to Yesterday, takes young readers on a heartwarming journey through time, memories, and the complexities of family and friendship. This enchanting tale is a delightful blend of nostalgia, science fiction, and the enduring power of love. The story revolves around James, a young boy who longs to return to a simpler period when his parents were still together. This becomes possible when he encounters Yan, a girl with a unique perspective on the world; suddenly, James’s entire world changes: he can time travel. Now he must decide if he would live forever in one of his six most cherished memories. As in another of her middle-grade novels, A Glasshouse of Stars (2021), Marr’s storytelling here is nothing short of remarkable as she weaves a narrative that effortlessly highlights elements of retro Australian culture, including iconic references such as The Australian Women’s Weekly Children’s Birthday Cake Book. Marr’s ability to capture the essence of her characters and the complexities of their experiences shines, and with a twist that delivers an emotional impact that lingers long after the final page, this novel explores the depths of human emotions in a touching and thought-provoking way. Countdown to Yesterday is a timeless addition to the world of middle-grade fiction and is bound to leave a lasting impression on readers aged 9 and older, and those who enjoyed Kelly Barnhill’s The Girl Who Drank the Moon.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Nominated for Bookseller of the Year (2023), Emma Pei Yin is also a freelance writer and reviewer. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

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