A Swiftly Tilting Planet
In A Swiftly Tilting Planet by Madeleine L’Engle, a companion to the Newbery Award winner A Wrinkle in Time and A Wind in the Door, fifteen-year-old Charles Wallace and the unicorn Gaudior undertake a perilous journey through time in a desperate attempt to stop the destruction of the world by the mad dictator Madog Branzillo. They are not alone in their quest. Charles Wallace’s sister, Meg — grown and expecting her first child, but still able to enter her brother’s thoughts and emotions by “kything” — goes with him in spirit. Charles Wallace must face the ultimate test of his faith and his will as he is sent within four people from another time, there to search for a way to avert the tragedy threatening them all.
Originally published in 1978.
Genre: Middle grade
Science fiction/fantasy
Other Books in the Series
‘A Swiftly Tilting Planet’ is the thrid book in L’Engle’s The Time Quintet, which also includes:
Audio Excerpt
Archival Audio Edition
Reviews
“Charles Wallace (A Wrinkle in Time), now 15, Meg, and the Murrys reappear in an intricately woven fantasy in which the boy time-spins through a tangle of history to find and mend the broken link that threatens to disturb the harmony of today.”
―Starred, Booklist
“Charles Wallace, unicorns, telepathy and time travel. For me, there is very little not to like in this book. L’Engle again explores connections through space and time, and how the actions of just one person can alter history as we know it.”
―Kerri, Goodreads, 2008
“I first read this series when I was a child. It captivated me then, and I still enjoy it now. The characters are interesting, the stories are imaginative, and the message is there, but not too preachy. If it’s been a long time since you’ve read these, give them a chance. If you have never read them at all, go for it! I promise you won’t be bored.”
―Heather A. Clark, Amazon, 2017
“Great-to-stick-your-eyes-to Book. If you want to try out this book, this is the best book you will ever read ( For me ) But it’s a great book to read when you have some free time. But I give you a warning, if you don’t have enough free time, definitely do NOT read it or you will want to read all of The Time Quintet books. So it a great book to read when you have free time, LOTS of free time.”
―Teen review (age 16), Common Sense Media, 2016
Articles
“Unicorns Against Nuclear War: A Swiftly Tilting Planet”
Mari Ness, 2012 / TOR
“Poem: Patrick’s Rune”
Joe / HolyJoe.org.
“Jesus Always Had the Latest Lisa Frank TrapperKeeper”
Erin Callahan, 2012 / Forever Young Adult