Just a Minute (Why Humans Tell Time)

There are so many ways humans think of time every day! There’s lunchtime, snack time, bedtime, and we talk about saving time, killing time, keeping time, buying time and racing against time.

Our early ancestors measured time by observing the sun and moon, and today, thanks to technology, we can know the exact time every second of the day. But time is about more than numbers. It’s connected to feelings and memories, and our experiences can make time feel like it's moving too quickly or passing very, very slowly.

Just a Minute delves into the past, present and future of humans’ experience of time and how we track, use and try to manipulate it. Learn how the master timekeepers in our brains work, explore how animals and plants tell time and discover how our perception of time changes with what we’re doing and as we age. We can’t control time, but we can make every second count!

The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

Praise for Kirstie Hudson and Monique Polak

★ “A chronicle that will galvanize many young artists with their own history to honor, and Americans will see parallels with our country’s history of assimilationist schooling.” —The Bulletin for the Center for Children's Books, starred review for Picking Up the Pieces

★ “A powerful testimony to the strength and resiliency of survivors and their families as well as the lasting impact that these institutions and policies have had within Indigenous communities. Highly recommended for school and public libraries." —Canadian Children's Book News, starred review for Picking Up the Pieces

★“The writing is fluid and easy to read, perfect for the middle school set…Polak’s text explores memory from numerous angles and adapts its tone accordingly, from humorous to respectful and solemn when needed. The real-life examples are fascinating, and readers will come away with in-depth knowledge on the mind…A must-have title for libraries.” —School Library Journal starred review for Remember This