Running Out of Time Summary & Key Insights

Margaret Peterson Haddix's "Running Out of Time" follows the story of 14-year-old Jessie Burkhart, who discovers a hidden compartment in her recently inherited grandmother's house containing a diary and other artifacts detailing a clandestine operation involving a mysterious organization known as "The Children." Jessie quickly realizes the diary chronicles events from 1943, mirroring her present-day life and town of Oklahoma City with uncanny accuracy.

The diary belongs to a girl named Josie, who is Jessie's counterpart in the past. Josie's entries detail her involvement with the Children, a group of kids who are unknowingly part of a larger plan to prevent a catastrophic event. The entries hint at the potential destruction of their town and possibly the world. Jessie, driven by the eerie parallels and the increasing urgency of the diary's entries, begins to investigate. She finds herself unconsciously mirroring Josie's actions, from secret meetings to near-death experiences. Jessie discovers clues hidden throughout the town, reflecting locations and events documented in Josie's diary.

As Jessie delves deeper, she uncovers the truth about the Children: they are actually a group of kids who unknowingly prevented a nuclear attack during World War II. They were manipulated by a mysterious organization to carry out actions, their memories subsequently erased. The parallels between Josie's and Jessie's lives become alarming as Jessie faces similar threats and choices. She, too, is being subtly manipulated, unknowingly following a pre-determined path.

The key characters are Jessie, who is intelligent, curious, and determined; Josie, her past counterpart, whose diary guides Jessie's investigation; and various other characters in both time periods who play roles in the larger plan, often without fully comprehending it. The villainous figures remain largely in the shadows, controlling the Children from a distance.

The overarching themes explore the power of fate versus free will. The novel questions whether Jessie has genuine agency or is merely replaying a predetermined script, echoing Josie's past actions. It examines the ethical implications of manipulating children for grand schemes and the long-lasting consequences of such actions. The story also highlights the importance of historical memory and understanding how past events shape the present. The mystery element keeps the reader engaged, while the underlying themes about fate, control, and the responsibility of historical awareness provide a deeper layer of meaning. Ultimately, Jessie must decide whether to follow the path laid out for her or forge her own destiny, a decision that will determine not just her life, but potentially the fate of her community.