Dickens & Rumi

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Locked in time

Lois Duncan · 1985

Explore the age guidance, content cautions, positive qualities, and supporting notes for Locked in time by Lois Duncan. This book is content notes include Death of a character, Frightening scenes, Violence; positive qualities include Courage & resilience, Creativity & curiosity.

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At a glance

Recommended ageNot listed

Strongest cautions

  • Death of a character4/5
  • Frightening scenes4/5
  • Violence4/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience4/5
  • Creativity & curiosity3/5
  • Good role models3/5

What’s in it?

Death of a character4/5
Why this rating?

Nore’s mother has died, Lisette has killed previous husbands, and Gabe and Lisette die in a crash; grief and loss affect the story.

Graphic injury1/5
Why this rating?

Deaths and danger are significant, but the supplied plot describes little or no graphic blood, wounds, or bodily detail.

Romance2/5
Why this rating?

Marriage, affairs, and family relationships are important to the backstory, but teen romance is not central in the supplied plot.

Frightening scenes4/5
Why this rating?

Sustained suspense involves an apparently immortal family, confinement, threats, a gun, and two protagonists trapped in a burning cabin.

Sexual content & nudity1/5
Why this rating?

An adult affair is mentioned, but the supplied material indicates no sexual activity, nudity, or explicit sexual detail.

Violence4/5
Why this rating?

Repeated life-threatening actions include deliberate boat sabotage, attempted murder, gun threat, arson, and a fatal car crash.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5
Why this rating?

Nore investigates despite disbelief and danger, while Dave helps confront the threat and Josie risks herself to enable their escape.

Creativity & curiosity3/5
Why this rating?

The mystery encourages imaginative thinking about immortality, hidden histories, clues, and inventive escape plans.

Diverse representation1/5
Why this rating?

The supplied plot identifies a varied family structure and Louisiana setting but provides little evidence of broad human or cultural representation.

Educational value1/5
Why this rating?

The story offers incidental historical and cultural context, including Louisiana plantation history and past events, but education is not its main purpose.

Kindness & empathy3/5
Why this rating?

Dave helps Nore, Josie rescues Nore and Dave, and family members offer support after the ordeal; harmful adults contrast with this care.

Positive messages3/5
Why this rating?

The story supports investigating danger, seeking help, protecting others, and resisting manipulation, while showing serious consequences for violence.

Good role models3/5
Why this rating?

Nore and Dave show persistence and courage, though Nore’s investigations and trespassing place her in substantial danger.

Family discussion

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Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
  2. How did the story approach death or loss? What helped the characters cope?
  3. Which choice in Locked in time would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in Locked in time, and what caused that change?
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