Book Description
January 1, 2001, will mark the beginning of a new thousand-year period on earth. But our earth is more than four billion years old, and humans have lived on our planet for perhaps two hundred thousand years. So how can it be the year 2000? The answer is that it is the year 2000 only on the Gregorian calendar. On the Hebrew calendar, the year will be 5760. On the Muslim calendar, the year will be 1420. And on the Chinese calendar, it will be 4698. So what year is it really? It all depends on what calendar you use and when you started counting the years.

Here is the fascinating story of timekeeping: how, over thousands of years, calendars and clocks came to be.

00-01 Young Reader's Choice Award Program Masterlist

Notable Children's Trade Books in the Field of Social Studies 2000, National Council for SS & Child. Book Council

Product Description
Volume 1: Geophysical Measurements: techniques, observational schedules and treatment of data. Volume 2: Solar and Geophysical Events 1960-1965 (Calendar Record). Volume 3: the proton flare project (the July 1966 event) ... Read more

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"Branley successfully blends science, folklore, poetry, and activities to create a fine introduction to time . . . Solid information presented with clarity and wit make this a winner for general audiences as well as for report writers." -- School Library Journal ... Read more

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One of the areas of study students find most difficult to master--and are most fearful of--is math. Yet the core math skills acquired in the first four years of school form the basis of all future academic success. Get Ready for Standardized Tests, the first and only grade-specific test prep series, now features hands-on guidance on helping kids master the all-important basic math skills while arming parents with the tools they need to help their children succeed.

Book Description
By exploring some of the more important senses of time which were in circulation in the medieval world, scholars from a wide range of disciplines trace competing definitions and modes of temporality in the middle ages, explaining their influence upon life and culture. The issues explored include anachronism as a feature in earlier senses of time, perceptions of death and of the Last Judgement, time in literary narratives and in music, constructions of time as used in the professions, and original work on the particular systems and technologies which were used for the keeping of time, such as clocks and calendars. Contributors: PAUL BRAND, PETER BURKE, MARY J. CARRUTHERS, DEBORAH DELIYANNIS, CHRISTOPHER HUMPHREY, ROBERT MARKUS, AD PUTTER, HOWARD WILLIAMS. ... Read more

Book Description
How old is the oldest tree? Who made the first calendar? What causes the seasons? Is time travel possible? Will the world come to an end? Read this book to answer all your questions about time plus learn interesting facts that will amaze your friends. All About Time uses the wisdom of Scripture and science to provide a comprehensive view of learning from our past, managing the present, and looking toward the future. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (4)

Outstanding!
It is refreshing to experience a novel designed for a young (and not so young!) intelligent reader.This book should be required reading at a middle school or grade school level.It provokes original thought, and takes the reader through a process of deduction.The cerebral nature of the book is such a refreshing change from the current mind numbing era of comic books and video games.This is a book that I would one day like to read along with my children.I look forward to the the author's next challenge:Book Two.

Great book for a young reading who likes science
The really fascinating thing about this book is that the hero Cristo does not discover a new magic item or go on a quest to kill a dragon, but instead learns new scientific principles and uses them to discover previously unknown things about the world.The main adversary wants the knowledge that Cristo possesses and that is where the adventure begins.

This book is great because it incorporates a clever new concept and does not use the same old formula.The author has obviously thought a lot about what it is like to live in the bronze age without written words or even knowing how to count.Imagine trying to tell a story when you can't even tell the reader how old the characters are, or how many sheep are in the flock.This book is a clever combination of adventure and learning which should stimulate many young readers and get them interested in science.

The King's Challenge
THE KING'S CHALLENGE is a story of teamwork and courage that enlightens readers to the merits of determination and loyalty. A fine message in any day or age!

It was refreshing to see the adults in the story giving Cristo's ideas and opinions their full consideration. Readers should be able to connect with how Cristo feels throughout the challenges he faces.

At first, I was a little concerned with the time setting but found I enjoyed the story immensely. I think a blend of the near fantasy with the reality of the Bronze Age would appeal to every young reader. The two were interwoven with great craftsmanship and in a manner I believe readers will find very interesting.

Courtesy of Teens Read Too
Before the reign of King Adolphus, the Island of Adolphia was a bunch of disconnected, warring kingdoms.King Adolphus brought everyone together, renamed the island, and since then it has been a (mostly) peaceful place.Without constant wars and death the people, with the King's encouragement, are free to pursue knowledge.

At this time in history, there is no written language, no numbering system, no system of measurement, and no currency.Information has been passed down through family members by word of mouth.And jealously guarded.King Adololphus hopes to change that.He holds a council with all of the neighboring Dukes and Lords.He challenges them to learn, and to share their information with each other.Their first task is to find a way to account for the amount of daylight and the passing of the seasons.You see, there is no hour, day, month, or year.There is no way of knowing how much time remains before the sun sets, or how long before the cold season comes.Time merely passes.

Cristo, a young ward of the king, is very excited by the ideas he has heard, and wishes to begin immediately.He pesters Lord Allard, the King's most trusted wise man, to allow him to help with this project, while devising his own, as well.If the theories Lord Allard and Cristo have are correct, then their separate experiments should confirm each other.

Duke Nextor was forced into the truce that exists on the island.He is eager to be the first to find the information, and use it against Adolphus.He puts his wise man, Boltair, to the task.Boltair has no interest in the ideas, and no clue where to start.He sends Grigor to spy on Allard and Cristo, and report back to him.

Lord Allard and Cristo face a daunting task on many levels.A spy in their midst just may mean the failure of both experiments.

This book was fascinating!We take counting and money and time a bit for granted.It's always been there, so we don't question where the concepts came from.This is a great look at how some parts might have come about. The more I think about how strange it would be to not to be able to account for time, and how hard it would be to figure out how to start, the more impressed I am by this book!Additionally, it's a good story, with interesting characters.It's definitely worth the read!

Reviewed by:Carrie Spellman ... Read more