The Counterclockwise Heart is not an easy book to summarize; even for the author. "It changes every time someone asks me to make the pitch," says author Brian Farrey. The story has varied storylines, one of which focuses on a young boy with a clock in his chest. One day the clock begins running backwards leading the boy to the assumption that the clock is counting down to his death.
The book was announced as the winner of this year's Minnesota Book Award for Middle Grade Literature. It is Farrey's third time receiving a Minnesota Book Award. It's also a standalone novel; a departure from the author's past work. "I've done trilogies before," says Farrey. "They're a lot of work... I'm kind of in standalone mode right now."
The story utilizes tones from the Germanic realm of fairytales. Names of locations and people have distinct German roots. "I specifically wanted to give it a Germanic feel," says Farrey, "without actually borrowing too much."
Readers can find The Counterclockwise Heart at various locations. "It's just come out in paperback," says Farrey. "Order it from your favorite independent bookstore."
Minnesota Reads is produced at The North 103.3 with funding provided in part by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.