Time for Andrew summary

A Haunting Reunion

In the book Time for Andrew by Mary Downing Hahn, we meet twelve-year-old Drew, who is spending the summer with his aunt in a small town in Vermont. Aunt Blythe's house is old and eerie, and Drew is not thrilled about being there. One day, while exploring the attic, he finds a photograph of his own face, but the boy in the picture is wearing old-fashioned clothes and looks exactly like him. The boy is Andrew, his great-great-uncle, who died in the Civil War at the age of fourteen.

Andrew's ghost appears to Drew and asks him to help him. He wants Drew to go back in time to the year 1864 to prevent a tragic accident that led to his death. Drew is initially skeptical but soon finds himself transported to the past, where he meets Andrew and his family. He is taken aback by the stark difference between their lives and his modern comforts.

Parallel Lives and Time Travel

As Drew spends more time with Andrew and his family, he begins to understand the harsh realities of their lives. He learns about the sacrifices they made during the Civil War and the challenges they faced. Drew also realizes that he and Andrew share many similarities, despite the century that separates them. Both boys are the same age, have similar interests, and are dealing with their respective family problems.

Despite his growing attachment to Andrew and his family, Drew remains determined to fulfill his mission. He tries to prevent the accident that led to Andrew's death, but his efforts are in vain. The accident occurs, and Drew is devastated. He feels guilty for failing to save Andrew's life and is unsure of how to return to his own time.

Accepting the Inevitable

While Drew grapples with his sense of failure, he realizes that his time in the past has brought him closer to his own family. He appreciates his life and the opportunities he has in a way he never did before. He also understands that certain events are inevitable, no matter how much we want to change them. He finds solace in the fact that he was able to spend time with Andrew and help him understand his own fate.

Eventually, Drew is able to return to his own time. He brings back with him a newfound appreciation for life and a deeper understanding of his family's history. The experience has changed him, and he is determined to honor Andrew's memory and the sacrifices of his family. As the summer ends, Drew leaves Aunt Blythe's house with a sense of closure and a renewed perspective on life and death.

Concluding Thoughts

In Time for Andrew, Mary Downing Hahn weaves a poignant tale of time travel, family, and acceptance. Drew's journey not only helps him understand his family's past but also enables him to come to terms with his own present. The novel ends with Drew leaving the past behind but carrying with him the lessons he learned from his haunting summer in Vermont.