From the Bookshelf of Mock Printz 2026…

The Door That Lead to Where

Sally Gardner

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

No group discussions for this book yet.

What Members Thought

Nov 26, 2016 Barbara rated it liked it

Shelves: cultural-identity, education, grief, loss, bullies, community, travel, death, crime, facing-fears

This oddly-titled book will have readers turning its pages compulsively to get to the ending so they can figure out what its protagonist decides to do: Should he go back in time or should he stay where he was born? The book starts off in a fairly typical fashion. Sixteen-year-old AJ Flynn has messed up once again, only passing one of his major exams, and his mother has set up an interview for him at a London law firm. His home life is less than pleasant as his mother, someone he regards as "the This oddly-titled book will have readers turning its pages compulsively to get to the ending so they can figure out what its protagonist decides to do: Should he go back in time or should he stay where he was born? The book starts off in a fairly typical fashion. Sixteen-year-old AJ Flynn has messed up once again, only passing one of his major exams, and his mother has set up an interview for him at a London law firm. His home life is less than pleasant as his mother, someone he regards as "the enraged red reptile" (p. 3), is often embroiled in conflicts with the neighbors or her latest abusive boyfriend. If it weren't for AJ's two friends, Leon and Slim, who have their own life challenges, and an elderly neighbor who provides sanctuary and love, life would be extremely bleak for the young man. But AJ is a reader, and during the job interview, he charms his future employer with his knowledge of the classics, including the complete works of Charles Dickens. Readers will be pleased that AJ's lot is starting to change, but before he or they have much time to bask in that hope for a brighter future, a brief encounter with an elderly professor and his work in the back room lead to his discovery of a key that opens a door to the past. What he learns there goes a long way toward explaining his mother's behavior, his missing father, and offers a second chance for his friends who, against all odds, find themselves at home in a very different place and time. Since there are some mysteries regarding death and possible poisonings as well as the possibility of romance, readers will read quickly to show how things turn out. It bears considering to contemplate what each of us might have done if faced with the choice of staying in our present time or moving back in time to live in a very different century. For many women, these modern times would be much more palatable, but not necessarily for everyone. This is the type of book that is even more enjoyable on a second read since readers can consider how the author ties all the parts together so neatly. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Dec 30, 2014 Julie marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Jul 21, 2016 Alexa L marked it as to-read

Shelves: mock-printz-2017

Feb 22, 2024 J Fleck marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Group Home Bookshelf Discussions

Photos Videos

Send invite Members Polls