Countdown to Yesterday

James’ life is in turmoil; his parents have just decided to divorce. He now finds himself having to adjust to two homes – and to a mum and dad who are behaving very differently in many ways. James does not like change. His present is not what he wants – he wants to go back to the past and his life as he remembers it. But you cannot travel back in time. Or can you?

This is an enjoyable read drawing on many familiar tropes – family relationships, separation, friendship – and above all memory.  Memories always seem so clear; even young people will claim that ‘this is how it was – I remember it well’. But as James finds out memory can be very selective and the past may not be quite as remembered. Shirley Marr writes with confidence, her narrative style immediate and accessible as James tells his story himself. There is humour as we see his parents through his eyes – not perfect but human. The two main protagonists – James and his friend, Yan are drawn deftly and the reader can easily engage with them and understand where each come from. The central motive is clear and the concept of measuring the time as a supposed countdown to the past interesting but a distraction. However, this is unlikely to deter young readers who will enjoy meeting James and Yan (and Tiger the cat – cameo presence) on their particular quest. This is a well-crafted story in which reality and the imagination are cleverly intertwined to result in a clear message – enjoy and appreciate the present.