Have you ever wished you could have a do-over? That’s exactly what Sam Miracle in N.D. Wilson’s Outlaws of Time: The Legend of Sam Miracle gets, but with much higher stakes: life or death for himself, his sister, and possibly millions of other people. And every time, so far, he’s died.
Let me start off by saying that I love N.D. Wilson’s writing, but I can’t stand Westerns (yes, I realize that’s a bit ironic since I live in Texas). Outlaws of Time proved to be an exception. The time-travel element may have something to do with that.
Here’s what I think Outlaws of Time can offer your kids.
The right kind of power comes with responsibility and requires sacrifice. The wrong kind is stolen, regardless of the cost to others. That’s the basic distinction Wilson makes between good and evil in Outlaws of Time. N.D. Wilson talked in his interview on the Read-Aloud Revival Podcast about how he doesn’t shy away from evil in his books. After all, the real world contains evil. But he makes sure the good is strong enough to stand up to that evil. When Sam has snakes grafted into his shattered arms (I’m not giving anything away, it’s on the cover), he is told:
“…every hero needs to be part nightmare. Moses turned a river to blood and called down the Angel of Death. Samson tore a Lion open with his bare hands and killed hundres with a donkey bone…. If you are fire, you need not fear the dark.”
All life is precious. As you might expect from a Western, there is a “shoot-em-up” element. Our hero must kill the bad guys. They are unstoppable by any other means. But in our world where violence can be glorified on the big screen or in video games, it is so refreshing to see Wilson’s approach. When Sam shoots his first villain, he weeps. Though he knows the man was evil, he experiences more pain in killing him than in all the previous deaths he has experienced.
A hero cannot stand alone. One of the most beautiful aspects of this story is the way others sacrifice their time, safety, and very lives to help Sam in his quest. As much as Sam would like to protect everyone, he would never survive without their sacrifices. And, in fact, those sacrifices help motivate him to lay down his life and safety for others.
In his article for The Atlantic, “Why I Write Scary Stories for Children,” N.D. Wilson explains his stories this way:
“My characters live in worlds that are fundamentally beautiful and magical, just like ours, in worlds that are broken and brutal, just like ours. And, when characters live courageously and sacrificially, good will ultimately triumph over evil.”
Though this story is a fantasy, it reflects the real world in a way that is important for kids to grasp. The world is flawed. There is real evil and people who will do anything for power. And the world desperately needs heroes who will stand up to that evil, no matter what the cost, and the cost may be the very lives of those heroes. Just like in real life, Wilson leaves us with no assurance that his main character will survive to the end of the series. He may be called upon to give his life to save others. But that will not be a tragedy. It will be a victory.
If you are interested in N.D. Wilson’s other books, here’s my review of his 100 Cupboards series.
I hope I will this!!
Good luck! It’s worth buying, even if you don’t win! 🙂
I thought the podcast with the author was awesome. Even my husband found himself listening in. Because of the role his worldview plays in writing the stories, I am super interested in them as family read alouds. And like everyone else who has entered the giveaway, I really, really hope to win. Thanks for the fun!
My husband listening to his interview on the Eric Metaxas show, and it got him to read 100 Cupboards (on audible). Good luck!
Thanks for doing this!
Sure! I’m excited to be doing my first giveaway! 🙂
My boys are 8. I’m looking forward to them really getting into some exciting chapter books!
Awesome! My 8-yo son just started reading it!
Great giveaway! I keep hearing good things about this book.
I love almost all of N.D. Wilson’s books! 🙂 Worth buying, in my opinion, even if you don’t win!
I would love to win. I’ve only read Wilson’s non-fiction thus far and after listening to him on the Read Aloud Revival would love to try his fiction with my kids.
Danielle, reading his non-fiction really helped me appreciate his fiction more, so you’ve got a head start! Specifically, a lot of the themes in Death by Living are at play in the Ashtown Burials books.
I just picked up 100 Cupboards because of the Read Aloud Revival Podcast and am looking forward to delving into N.D. Wilson’s books 🙂
Yay! I hope you enjoy them! 🙂
I loved his interview on the Read Aloud Revival podcast so much that I had my kids listen to it the next day. I have plans for our next couple of read alouds, but I’m going to need to do some rearranging to make room for Outlaws of Time!
Ooh, I wonder if my oldest would enjoy listening to the podcast! What a great idea! 🙂
I loved his interview, too. I bought the Ashtown Burials series to read aloud this summer. My kids have read and really enjoyed the 100 Cupboards series and are looking forward to the Outlaws of Time.
I keep hearing good things about this one! Thanks for doing the giveaway!
Sure! Good luck!
I just heard ND Wilson on Sarah Mackenzie’s podcast and although I haven’t read (nor have any of my kids) his books, I would certainly love to try one out!
It was such a good podcast! This one or 100 Cupboards would be my first N.D. Wilson suggestions. 🙂
Can’t wait to read it!! Thank you!!
I’d love to read this to my kids!
I can’t wait to read this book! thanks for your thoughtful review and blog. You are also a gifted writer.
Thanks so much, Gail. That really means a lot! 🙂
I have worried about his books being too scary for my kids thus far, but I think my 6,9, and 10 year old boys may be ready now and this one looks great! The themes in it sound so good! I feel the same way about westerns, but we have loved time travel stories so I think we will love it!
I think the 9 and 10-year-olds should definitely be ok with it (6-yo would depend so much on the kid, it’s hard to say, but if you are reading it to them, I think they feel a certain safety in that). I think this book is less scary than most of his others. Hope that helps!
We plan on reading this book this summer! We just enjoyed the audio book of 100 Cupboards. Thanks for the fun giveaway. 🙂
My kids and hubby are listening to 100 Cupboards right now too! 🙂
I’d really love to win this. I read his article on the Atlantic and though it was fantastic. My 10 year old son has read his other books and says they’re creepy but good 🙂
It was such a great article! This book is a little less creepy than some of the others, in my opinion.
We’d love to have this book in my house!
Your blog has been so amazingly helpful to me in finding books to read as a family!! Thank you
Thanks so much! Glad to hear it’s making a difference 🙂
I listened to N.D. Wilson on the Read Aloud Revival podcast. He has such a great perspective on fantasy books for kids!
It was such a great podcast! I’ve got to relisten to it!! If you can’t get enough, he also had an interview on the Eric Metaxas podcast. 🙂
This is great!
We just finished 100 cupboards on audio and are looking forward to reading this book! Thanks for the fun giveaway!
100 Cupboards audiobook is so good! My hubby and kids are listening to it right now!
Just checked out 100 Cupboards today from the library because of N.D. Wilson’s recent interview on the Read-Aloud Revival. Would love to read this one, too! Thank you for doing the giveaway!
Awesome! I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
I read Wilson’s article about why he writes scary stories, and it really resonated with me. My son is just not scared of stuff. He and Daddy play a game of ‘eating monsters’ where they wait under the bed covers really quite until the monsters come out, then they jump out and eat them. For a while this was done most every afternoon, so that come bedtime, all the monsters were eaten. And we love stories of heros that stand up, do good and value life. This sounds like our kind of book.
What a great idea! I find myself using a similar strategy when my own kids have nightmares. I ask them to tell me, and then I tell them a continuation where they conquer the situation so it is no longer scary. Seems to work really well for us.
I just bought my copy yesterday, but would love to win one for our school library! So excited to read this one 🙂
Hey, Thea! It’s nice to “see” you. 🙂 Have you read his other books? I hope you and baby are doing well!
I just fished listening to the N.D. Wilson on the Read Aloud Revival Podcast. Now I want to buy and read all his books! Thanks for the giveaway!
It was a great interview, and he’s an excellent writer. 100 Cupboards is my favorite.
I just finished listening to N.D. Wilson on the Read Aloud Revivla podcast. Now I want to buy and read all his books! Thanks for the giveaway!
Yes! They are great ones to own! My daughter is already rereading 100 Cupboards. 🙂
Wow, Outlaws of Time sounds like a really cool, unique read! Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
Yes, it’s very unique! (in a good way) 🙂
I’ve never read any of his books but loved his interview on Read Aloud Revival! I would love to win this!
Good luck!
Thank you for your review. I respect your well processed opinions.
Thanks, Heather!
Thanks for the opportunity.
My daughter really enjoyed 100 Cupboards so we would love to read Mr. Wilson’s new book! Thanks so much for the giveaway!
Good luck!
So. Do you think this book is less scary than the 100 cupboards? I noticed you said your 8 year old was reading, but you recommended 10 years for 100 cupboards. I too heard Mr. Wilson on the RAR and was so impressed with him. I have a 9 year old boy who has read Percy Jaxkson, but I would like to encourage reading similar genre, but with better values. Thank you for all your book recommendations. I love them.
I definitely feel like Outlaws of Time is less scary than 100 Cupboards (though it is more violent). I said 10 and up for 100 Cupboards because it is scary, but some kids would be fine with it younger. I know N.D. Wilson mentioned in one interview that his wife is reading 100 Cupboards to his 6-year-old, so much of it depends on the temperament of the child (and if they are reading it alone or with the comfort of a parent).
Thank you! It is so hard to know without reading everything first (not possible!)
I know what you mean! I can’t read everything first either! (wish I could!)
So excited! We’ve never read any of his books, I would love to try one!
Good luck! I hope you check out his books even if you don’t win 🙂
Fun giveaway!
I’ve got my son reading N.D. Wilson now too! We LOVE his books!
Thank you for the chance to win. We are new to N. D. Wilson — I just heard him on the Read Aloud Revival podcast and immediately ordered 100 Cupboards (it hasn’t arrived yet, but I’m so excited to read it!).
Oh, yay! I hope you love 100 Cupboards! It’s one of my favorites. 🙂
Thanks, Carolyn! We are new to your blog and ND Wilson, but heard your podcast with Sarah on RAR. My kids are just loving the 100 Cupboards series and hope to win this!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the podcast! 🙂 Good luck!
I’ve really enjoyed his books! Looking forward to reading this one too!
I listened to his podcast interview on the Read Aloud Revival and he is articulate and interesting. Can’t wait to read this book!
Awesome! I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
Really enjoyed his interview on Read Aloud Revival! Really got me thinking about the biblical examples of “magic”. So interesting for me to ponder as a parent of a fantasy lover 🙂
Yes! It’s definitely an episode I’ll be re-listening to!
Excited for you and your first giveaway!!! 🙂
Thanks, Sarah! 🙂
What a great giveaway. Thanks
Marilyn
My kids would LOVE these books!
Just listened to you on the read aloud revival and I’m so inspired!
Yay! I hope you enjoy some of the recommendations! 🙂
I’ve never read any of his books, but after hearing him on the last RAR podcast I want to try them out as soon as possible!
He’s an excellent writer! The 100 Cupboards series is my favorite.
I have had 100 cupboards on my list forever, time to get them read!
I love to hear of people starting one of my favorites for the first time! I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
This book sounds like it would be a fun addition to our library.
This book sounds like it would make a great addition to our library.
I’m getting curious about this author. My daughter is 6. Is that too young for his books?
To me, 6 is too young, but N.D. Wilson mentioned on an interview that his wife is reading 100 Cupboards to their six-year-old, so I think it really depends on the kids. I think 8 or even 10 is a better age to start his books at.
Yeah, A new author and a new book give away.
I would love to win! I really liked hearing what he jad to say about fantasy on RAR!
He was great on RAR! Good luck!
Giveaways are my favorite. 🙂
This looks like a great story! Thanks for the chance.
Good luck!
Your book sounds amazing! I love the fire and darkness contrast.
I’ve had my eye on this book for awhile now. Hoping to check it out soon!
Good luck!
I keep hearing great things about this series! I would love to win this book!
Good luck!
My son and I just started 100 Cupboards, we old love to win this!
Good luck!
Looks like a book my kids would love.
Hi, this sounds like a thoughtful book. Thanks for sharing on Literacy Musing Mondays. Sorry it took me so long to stop by. 😉