Chapters 1 and 2 Summary

The novel "The Age of Miracles," by Karen Thompson Walker tells the story of an adolescent girl struggling with coming of age at the same time that the world around her seems to be coming apart. Julia's world changes dramatically when scientists announce that the rotation of the Earth has begun slowing. This slowing results in solar storms, power outages and daylight days that stretch beyond the normal 24-hours. Themes in the story include the effect uncertainty has on those around Julia and they way they cope with their personal fears as well as the special challenges these changes have on those who are still trying to determine what life is all about.

In Chapter 1, officials go public with their discovery of the phenomena they refer to as "the slowing," which is causing the Earth's rotation to slow. This has caused...