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Saturday, The Twelfth of October
Mysteriously transported into the distant past and taken in by a community of gentle cave people, young Zan Ford jealously guards her few mementos of home and civilization
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1975
About the author
Norma Fox Mazer
60books106followersNorma Fox Mazer was an American author and teacher, best known for her books for children and young adults.
She was born in New York City but grew up in Glens Falls, New York, with parents Michael and Jean Garlan Fox. Mazer graduated from Glens Falls High School, then went to Antioch College, where she met Harry Mazer, whom she married in 1950; they have four children, one of whom, Anne Mazer, is also a writer. She also studied at Syracuse University.
New York Times Book Reviewcontributor Ruth I. Gordon wrote that Mazer "has the skill to reveal the human qualities in both ordinary and extraordinary situations as young people mature....it would be a shame to limit their reading to young people, since they can show an adult reader much about the sometimes painful rite of adolescent passage into adulthood."
Among the honors Mazer earned for her writing were a National Book Award nomination in 1973, an American Library Association Notable Book citation in 1976, inclusion on the New York Times Outstanding Books of the Year list in 1976, the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award in 1978, an Edgar Award in 1982, German Children's Literature prizes in 1982 and 1989, and a Newbery Medal in 1988.
Mazer taught in the Master of Fine Arts in Writing for Children & Young Adults Program at Vermont College.
For more information, please seehttp://www.answers.com/topic/norma-fo...
She was born in New York City but grew up in Glens Falls, New York, with parents Michael and Jean Garlan Fox. Mazer graduated from Glens Falls High School, then went to Antioch College, where she met Harry Mazer, whom she married in 1950; they have four children, one of whom, Anne Mazer, is also a writer. She also studied at Syracuse University.
New York Times Book Reviewcontributor Ruth I. Gordon wrote that Mazer "has the skill to reveal the human qualities in both ordinary and extraordinary situations as young people mature....it would be a shame to limit their reading to young people, since they can show an adult reader much about the sometimes painful rite of adolescent passage into adulthood."
Among the honors Mazer earned for her writing were a National Book Award nomination in 1973, an American Library Association Notable Book citation in 1976, inclusion on the New York Times Outstanding Books of the Year list in 1976, the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award in 1978, an Edgar Award in 1982, German Children's Literature prizes in 1982 and 1989, and a Newbery Medal in 1988.
Mazer taught in the Master of Fine Arts in Writing for Children & Young Adults Program at Vermont College.
For more information, please seehttp://www.answers.com/topic/norma-fo...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
January 14, 2009
This was one of my favorite books as a kid. Was thrilled to discover it is still a good book when I read it as an adult. Zan, the protagonist, is transported back in time to a (presumed) prehistoric tribe. Zan's time with these people is a well written comming of age story. We never do learn who exactly the tribe is or why Zan was taken to them. All we know is that her transportation takes place in public when she is emotionally distraught ~ she spends quite a few months with this tribe and is magically transported back to her real life in another moment of emotional turmoil. When she returns, she discovers that she has actually only been gone a day. But she still has a token from her tribe as a physical reminder that she was really there and didn't just imagine the whole thing. I love that Mazer doesn't attempt to explain why all of this happens, she just tells the story. It does leave a lot of unanswered questions, especially regarding individual memnbers of the ancient tribe and what their future holds. However, to my knowledge she has never written a sequel.
A quick read and an awesome book. If you come across a copy at a library or yardsale, definately worth it. I'm lucky to own a copy & have read it many, many times:)
A quick read and an awesome book. If you come across a copy at a library or yardsale, definately worth it. I'm lucky to own a copy & have read it many, many times:)
August 28, 2019
Impressive. This would actually be darn good for adult fans of Time Travel SF to read. And fans of Clan of the Cave Bear, for that matter. There is a clue that Mazer, she of the 'issues' novels, wrote it, in that a big concern is how a society responds to women's menstruation, esp. to ritual (or lack thereof) attached to a teen's first blood. But it's about a lot more than that.
It's even got a philosophical thing going on that has nothing to do with the multiple themes of 'civilized' vs. 'primitive' lifestyles. I particularly liked the 'eye-contact' game Zan played in the beginning in NYC. I was particularly disturbed by her mother's inattentiveness to her questions and concerns. And I think the ending, especially, would be terrific fodder for group discussions.
So, yes, I do recommend it for groups, whether of older 'tweens, of teens, or of adults.
It's even got a philosophical thing going on that has nothing to do with the multiple themes of 'civilized' vs. 'primitive' lifestyles. I particularly liked the 'eye-contact' game Zan played in the beginning in NYC. I was particularly disturbed by her mother's inattentiveness to her questions and concerns. And I think the ending, especially, would be terrific fodder for group discussions.
So, yes, I do recommend it for groups, whether of older 'tweens, of teens, or of adults.
October 17, 2007
Too bad this is out of print. I remember this book vividly, checking it out from the Goleta Valley Library. Zan is somehow taken back in time and taken in by a cavedwelling tribe a la Clan of the Cave Bear but with less sex. There's a bit where Zan watches as the tribal elder cuts off her friend's finger with a rock--I think it was part of the rite of passage thing. Still sticks with me.
August 16, 2012
Read this book years ago and loved it, but forgot the title. Have been trying to find it for ages, the story stayed with me even if the title did not. So happy to have found it again and can't wait to read it again
December 4, 2012
A 14-year-old girl, Zan, struggling with challenges and miseries common to teens of our time, finds herself suddenly transported to a prehistoric era. Frantic and homesick at first, she gradually adapts to life with the local tribe, learning to relish raw eggs and sleep comfortably in the same bed with a whole extended family.
Mazer brings her Stone Age world, a kind of paradise, vividly to life. The characters are appealing and the story engrossing, with a bittersweet but satisfying ending. Although this book was written in the 1970s, its themes are still relevant.
Mazer brings her Stone Age world, a kind of paradise, vividly to life. The characters are appealing and the story engrossing, with a bittersweet but satisfying ending. Although this book was written in the 1970s, its themes are still relevant.
December 6, 2008
I remember a friend up the street lending me this book. It was great. I recall it had a super bright blue sky on the cover and these wild jungle type plants and the girl standing there in the middle.
September 16, 2016
I read this as a kid and LOVED this book. I couldn't remember the title to save my life and would google periodically to see if I could find it... and today I did. YAY!
April 16, 2018
The very best YA books are the ones that, when you reread them as an adult, still engage your imagination while also leading you to insights you missed the first time around. This, then, is one of the very best.
14-year-old Zan starts out feeling disconnected from the world. She is so desperate to be seen that plays "the eye game," in which she tries to compel strangers on the street to make eye contact with her and "[pierce] the numbing anonymity of the street, if only for a moment." One of her teachers talks about a "common heritage of basic human feelings," and the "river of time" that connects the past, present, and future. It's not surprising that Zan, yearning for connection, finds these ideas intriguing.
When she gets pulled thousands of years back in time and finds herself among a peaceful tribe of cave dwellers called "The People", she bears witness to that common heritage of human emotions as she experiences both joy and grief alongside the tribe. Not only is she finally seen, she is welcomed and nurtured. But her presence also introduces the tribe to new emotions --jealousy and greed -- previously unknown in their communal lifestyle. And as you might guess, these feelings lead to strife and discord among The People.
I first read this book as a young child. Too young to appreciate the deeper themes of family, community, and coming of age. Too young to understand the time travel bit; I thought Zan had stumbled upon and been adopted by a cult of hippies, lol. But still it stuck with me as a weird and fascinating story. (And I always loved "Zan" as a nickname for Alexandra.)
14-year-old Zan starts out feeling disconnected from the world. She is so desperate to be seen that plays "the eye game," in which she tries to compel strangers on the street to make eye contact with her and "[pierce] the numbing anonymity of the street, if only for a moment." One of her teachers talks about a "common heritage of basic human feelings," and the "river of time" that connects the past, present, and future. It's not surprising that Zan, yearning for connection, finds these ideas intriguing.
When she gets pulled thousands of years back in time and finds herself among a peaceful tribe of cave dwellers called "The People", she bears witness to that common heritage of human emotions as she experiences both joy and grief alongside the tribe. Not only is she finally seen, she is welcomed and nurtured. But her presence also introduces the tribe to new emotions --jealousy and greed -- previously unknown in their communal lifestyle. And as you might guess, these feelings lead to strife and discord among The People.
I first read this book as a young child. Too young to appreciate the deeper themes of family, community, and coming of age. Too young to understand the time travel bit; I thought Zan had stumbled upon and been adopted by a cult of hippies, lol. But still it stuck with me as a weird and fascinating story. (And I always loved "Zan" as a nickname for Alexandra.)
January 25, 2016
I would really give this a 2.5, because even though I loved Norma Fox Mazer as a teen, I just really couldn't get into this one. Perhaps because I couldn't understand the main character's reaction to being thrown back in time and her resistance to interacting with the people-- but also because the gentle culture felt a little too simplistic, and what happened later on a little too forced.
At least I'm not alone in thinking that the books of our teenage years set out psychologists as all trying to make us conform, rather than trying to help us, and that the idea that many human interactions are just 'games' was also in there.
Compare toA Bone From a Dry Sea.
At least I'm not alone in thinking that the books of our teenage years set out psychologists as all trying to make us conform, rather than trying to help us, and that the idea that many human interactions are just 'games' was also in there.
Compare toA Bone From a Dry Sea.
June 29, 2015
I wanted to read this since it is a time-travel story, but in reality, it is less about time travel and more historical fiction. It reminded me of "Clan of the Cave Bear".
Zan (Alexandria) travels to a pre-historic era via a mysterious stone (think "Outlander" ). Norma Fox Mazer must have done a great deal of research into prehistoric peoples. The details of their diet, customs, animals and habitat are conveyed in a realistic and entertaining way. The story alternates views from Zan as well as several characters from The People.
Outstanding story - very well told!
Zan (Alexandria) travels to a pre-historic era via a mysterious stone (think "Outlander" ). Norma Fox Mazer must have done a great deal of research into prehistoric peoples. The details of their diet, customs, animals and habitat are conveyed in a realistic and entertaining way. The story alternates views from Zan as well as several characters from The People.
Outstanding story - very well told!
August 16, 2017
One of the first time-travel books I read (as I plowed voraciously through literally every book in my middle-school library tagged Science Fiction or Fantasy) in which the protagonist didnotadjust immediately to her new time period and become a functioning member of primitive society, but instead cries, whines, cowers, and is useless for a good long while before at least partially getting her act together. I was both shocked, and somehow comforted.
February 26, 2008
one of my favorite fantasy books growing up. I think I read this, like 20 times
October 13, 2009
I read this book many years ago and it has stuck with me. It's out of print but is worth hunting down for someone in middle school or early high school who likes fantasy.
May 1, 2010
One of my favorites from my teen years
Read
September 3, 2010Read as a kid and was ENTHRALLED. Need to read again
July 15, 2011
I read this in middle school and I remember strongly identifying with Zan, who was a girl my age that didn't seem to fit in anywhere. The worldbuilding and character development was fantastic.
October 16, 2011
One of my favorite books as a kid. Actually found a copy and reread as an adult, and enjoyed it almost as much as the first time I read it!
July 8, 2012
I read this book when I was 15, and have never forgotten it. Years later I found it again. Great story, one of a kind.
June 26, 2019
I really like several other Norma Fox Mazer books. I've avoided this one because time travel/cave people is not at all my thing. It still isn't. I had to force myself through this, and it was rough. I mean, it was boring! I felt nothing for any of the characters or their lives. I didn't enjoy any of the world building around the People and their social structure or belief systems.
It might have helped if this novel were in first person, instead of Zan did this, Zan did that, Zan wanted to go home.
Thank goodness it's over.
Awesome cover though.
It might have helped if this novel were in first person, instead of Zan did this, Zan did that, Zan wanted to go home.
Thank goodness it's over.
Awesome cover though.
August 8, 2022
Mais uma leitura boba e fácil,não é interessante como Ayla,filha das cavernas...
October 15, 2019
I read this for the first time in 1977, at age 12, and loved it. Since I’ve been wanting to track down a copy for years, I decided to re-read it this month: when October 12th does fall on a Saturday.: )
I loved it just as much... partially due to nostalgia, in all honesty, but also because it’s a very original book. A bit like urban fantasy, before there *was* much urban fantasy. The author was a very popular middle-grades writer in that era (1970s), and I plan to re-read more of her work.
Full review to come...
I loved it just as much... partially due to nostalgia, in all honesty, but also because it’s a very original book. A bit like urban fantasy, before there *was* much urban fantasy. The author was a very popular middle-grades writer in that era (1970s), and I plan to re-read more of her work.
Full review to come...
July 4, 2016
This was fantastic - Mazer is an incredibly talented writer. I was completely immersed in this world. But I can't believe the synopsis on the back cover gives away the ending (and the one in Goodreads is even more explicit than that)! Fortunately I didn't read it too closely, so it wasn't spoiled for me.
September 21, 2007
I remember, very clearly, reading this on a family vacation. This was my first book by Mazer, and she became one of my favorite authors at the time.
August 3, 2009
i love the whole go back in time deal. i wished there was more.
also didn't like the roughness of swearing & pushing her during the mugging, my kids don't either.
also didn't like the roughness of swearing & pushing her during the mugging, my kids don't either.
Currently reading
October 13, 2019read as a kid and now rereading again many many yrs later
June 21, 2019
Somewhat flawed in its presentation of the prehistoric, yet poignant and haunting. One of the best books I’ve read so far this year.
May 23, 2020
This is an odd time travel or timeslip story for young adults, and along with Cat in the Mirror, are some of the first time travel stories I remember reading.
That said, this is a particularly odd timeslip story, both because of the title of the novel and the topic of the teenage protagonist Zan living with a prehistoric tribe of people after falling asleep in the park by a boulder. Zan is not perfect by any means, but teens today will probably find it relatable. I know I did. For me, this is a bit of a nostalgia read and revisit to some of the wonderful fantasy and science fiction of the 70's that I still remember. Glad to see some of these are on Kindle for other generations to enjoy as libraries are getting few and far between where I live!
That said, this is a particularly odd timeslip story, both because of the title of the novel and the topic of the teenage protagonist Zan living with a prehistoric tribe of people after falling asleep in the park by a boulder. Zan is not perfect by any means, but teens today will probably find it relatable. I know I did. For me, this is a bit of a nostalgia read and revisit to some of the wonderful fantasy and science fiction of the 70's that I still remember. Glad to see some of these are on Kindle for other generations to enjoy as libraries are getting few and far between where I live!
May 18, 2024
I first read this book back in middle school and have been looking for it for years. I finally found it and got to relive the nostalgia that I remember having when reading this book the first time. It follows the story of an adolescent girl who was waiting for her period to start and become a woman. She goes back in time and lives with primitive people for almost a year and gets transported back to her own time where she was only gone for about a day. If you plan to read, just know that it is written in an old way where some words have different meanings than they do today (ie. queer = weird).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 5, 2024
Couldn't remember the title for many, many years. The internet finally came through for me. Still remember finding this on the shelf of my middle school library, reading it at a table there, and seeing myself in the book. It's out of print but the kindle edition is acceptable.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews