2024 NAIWE Young Adult Winner
Author: Gary Natoli
Elizabeth “Lizard” Larson is a 14-year-old girl who discovers she has power, which could be connected to her parents’ development of a time machine. From normal teenager to time manipulator, Lizard finds herself the target of those who want to use her time-stopping ability for sinister purposes. Lizard is forced to learn about her new power, but also about her new enemy and about how to be a more independent leader on an unexpected adventure.
Author Gary Natoli writes with time manipulation from the very beginning. Rather than beginning the novel with chapter 1, or even with a preface, he begins with chapter 0—the time before time. “I led myself to believe I had all the time in the world. Ironic…time is actually catching up with me. . . . Please don’t let history bury me.”
Natoli writes in a manner that young adults can relate to. School. Dreaded subjects. Science experiments not working. The visuals he creates with words are exquisite! Natoli uses his storytelling skills to provide enough detail for the reader to visualize the scenes, but to leave enough out so that the reader’s mind can fill in the rest. A stimulating combination!
Congratulations, Gary Natoli’s Lizard Larson and the Time Keeper for being a NAIWE 2024 Book Award winner!
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