Ayoh - Shop now
Add Prime to get Fast, Free delivery
Amazon prime logo
Buy new:
$12.99
FREE delivery Wednesday, June 4 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Ships from: Amazon.com
Sold by: Amazon.com
$12.99
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
FREE delivery Wednesday, June 4 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Or Prime members get FREE delivery Monday, June 2.
In Stock
$$12.99 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$12.99
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Ships from
Amazon.com
Amazon.com
Ships from
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Returns
30-day refund/replacement
30-day refund/replacement
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
$11.69
A copy that has been read, but remains in excellent condition. Pages are intact and are not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. There are no stickers on book or rips in dust cover. A copy that has been read, but remains in excellent condition. Pages are intact and are not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. There are no stickers on book or rips in dust cover. See less
FREE delivery June 5 - 10. Details
In stock
$$12.99 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$12.99
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Ships from and sold by idaho_youth_ranch_books.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Jennifer Ellis
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

A Pair of Docks (Derivatives of Displacement) Paperback – December 8, 2013

by Jennifer Ellis (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars 81 ratings
{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$12.99","priceAmount":12.99,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"12","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"99","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"TugtU8PE7hddSi80%2BSEzC8Bw18srAhz260%2FiNPbMFjdCT761ZmGoOqGhFB%2B7ziJMeQXFommtkkOnUGk4aXnW1OWZI7gr8N0MqncKo6%2B9RI9vs1JYGAB%2F8%2B31k%2BYnQIY4WEoXdlZZkasL50u%2F4QE75g%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"$11.69","priceAmount":11.69,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"11","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"69","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"TugtU8PE7hddSi80%2BSEzC8Bw18srAhz26KR1HvFK0iawBajj8aTkgEv1ZXtjT%2B8usHlqvsvC384DAcWyqALcBPOxjNYiromCCrAqVZiPJi7XotIodtyz%2Bw%2BqOcLatViL03xPwoFt0q6365lWHhJHjKkoz0BO3wNReJMNNW4de1j6hwDUvTJJNA%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

Fourteen-year-old Abbey Sinclair likes to spend her afternoons in the physics lab learning about momentum and gravitational pull. But her practical scientific mind is put to the test when her older brother, Simon, discovers a mysterious path of stones that allows them, along with Abbey’s twin, Caleb, to travel back and forth between their world and what appears to be...the future. Unfortunately, they’re not the only ones who know about the stones, and they soon realize their lives are in danger from a man known only as Mantis. Abbey, Caleb, and Simon must follow a twisting trail of clues that will lead them from their autistic neighbor, Mark, to a strange professor who claims to know the rules of the stones, and to multiple futures—some of whose inhabitants don’t want to stay put. It will take all of Abbey’s analytical skills to unravel the secrets of the stones, uncover the threads that tie the futures together, thwart Mantis’s plan, and, most importantly, keep her family alive—now and in the future. A Pair of Docks explores Einstein’s Theory of Relativity, the meaning of time, the potential for parallel universes, and the boundary between science and witchcraft. It is the first novel in the Derivatives of Displacement series.
Read more
Previous slide of product details
  1. Book 1 of 4
    Derivatives of Displacement
  2. Print length
    308 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    December 8, 2013
  5. Dimensions
    5.25 x 0.7 x 8 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0992153808
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0992153809
Next slide of product details
The%20Amazon%20Book%20Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jennifer Ellis is the author of A Pair of Docks, Book One in the Derivatives of Displacement series. Her second novel, In the Shadows of the Mosquito Constellation, is coming in early 2014. She writes contemporary action-adventure middle grade and adult fiction, sometimes with a dystopic edge. She also joins too many book clubs and skis. She works as an environmental researcher writing about climate change, global food security and alternative energy. She lives in a small ski town in British Columbia with her husband, two sons and a noisy cat. You can find her here: Website: www.jenniferellis.ca Twitter: @jenniferlellis

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Moonbird Press
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 8, 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 308 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0992153808
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0992153809
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.25 x 0.7 x 8 inches
  • Book 1 of 4 ‏ : ‎ Derivatives of Displacement
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 81 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Jennifer Ellis

Jennifer Ellis

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Jennifer lives in the mountains of British Columbia where she can be found writing, hiking, skiing, borrowing dogs, and evading bears. She also works occasionally as an environmental researcher.

Jennifer writes science fiction, romance and dystopian fiction for children and adults, including Apocalypse Weird: Reversal in Wonderment Media’s Apocalypse Weird world and A Pair of Docks, which was a bestseller in children’s time travel fiction. She has also contributed to several anthologies, most notably Synchronic: 13 Tales of Time Travel, which hit #16 in the Kindle Store.

She may or may not have a Ph.D. and dabble in tarot card reading and cat sitting.

You can subscribe to her blog for the latest book news and industry insights at www.jenniferellis.ca. She tweets about writing, cats, and teenagers at @jenniferlellis.

Author photos by Carmen Adams FRESHphoto and Lesley Chisholm

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
81 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers
Write a customer review

Customers say

Customers find this book to be a great sci-fi YA read with engaging characters and good writing. They recommend it for young readers aged 9-12, and appreciate its well-developed plot and time travel elements, with one customer noting it offers a way to travel through time without war.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more

Story qualityCharacter developmentWriting qualityAges 9-12DevelopmentTime travel
16 customers mention "Story quality"16 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story quality of the book, describing it as a great sci-fi YA read that pulls readers in, with one customer noting it starts with thrilling scenes.

"...But note that this series, while enjoyable for adults, is primarily geared toward young adults...." Read more

"...This is a fun series. I was taken in quickly and totally could not put the first book (A Pair of Docks) down until I finished...." Read more

"...Of course, aside from the aura of geekiness that this book emits, it also doesn't fall short on the action and adventure part...." Read more

"...Again, I loved the plot line. There was so much going on with all the different people involved that I felt the plot was overshadowed...." Read more

7 customers mention "Character development"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the characters engaging.

"...The characters are real, the plot is interesting, and the prose flows well...." Read more

"...The story is focussed on the main characters (the kids), with parents etc secondary to the main plot...." Read more

"...The characters were extremely likable and well developed making you want to know what happens to them now...." Read more

"...The characters and story was very good. I look forward to reading second book to see what happens next." Read more

6 customers mention "Writing quality"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing style of the book, with one describing it as witty and another noting it's a great fast read.

"...Her writing is as good as anything produced for the major publishing houses...." Read more

"...(although Simon and Abbey's twin Caleb are just also remarkably wise, witty and intelligent in their own ways, too)..." Read more

"What a great fast read and a way to travel time without war, blood, aliens or any paranormal type beings...." Read more

"This was actually a pretty good read...." Read more

4 customers mention "Ages 9-12"4 positive0 negative

Customers recommend this book for young readers aged 9-12.

"...that this series, while enjoyable for adults, is primarily geared toward young adults...." Read more

"...Or maybe that was just me. A Pair of Docks is a perfect read for kids (young adults and even adults) who love science...." Read more

"...Recommended for young readers 9-12 who like mystery, magic and time travel. Note: I don't claim to be a pro-reviewer, I am a reader...." Read more

"It is definitely a young teen book, and as a parent of very avid young readers i try and proof what my kids will potentially be reading...." Read more

4 customers mention "Development"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the development of the book, with one noting it feels very real, while another finds it remarkably wise.

"...Fantastic and very "meaty". Lots and lots of crazy going on in all kinds of levels...." Read more

"...(although Simon and Abbey's twin Caleb are just also remarkably wise, witty and intelligent in their own ways, too)..." Read more

"...was a sort of time travel/universe dimensions, witchy book, it was done so well that you could never predict what would happen next let alone the..." Read more

"...I loved the dynamics between the siblings and how real that it seemed. In would recommend this book and anything so far written by this author." Read more

4 customers mention "Time travel"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the time travel elements in the book, with one mentioning it provides a way to travel through time without war.

"...It is about witches, time travel and changing the future. It was slow to get going but by half way through the book you wanted to read it...." Read more

"...Recommended for young readers 9-12 who like mystery, magic and time travel. Note: I don't claim to be a pro-reviewer, I am a reader...." Read more

"What a great fast read and a way to travel time without war, blood, aliens or any paranormal type beings...." Read more

"Interesting ideas in this short story about the possibilities of time travel. The Characters have lots of depth and there's a great ending" Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Chad Cloman
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good story, good writing, intended for young adults
    Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I just finished reading the first four books in this series (the fifth, and final volume is yet to be published), and I thoroughly enjoyed all of them.

    The author, Jennifer Ellis, is an independent author, but not that you'd notice. Her writing is as good as anything produced for the major publishing houses. The characters are real, the plot is interesting, and the prose flows well.

    But note that this series, while enjoyable for adults, is primarily geared toward young adults. The protagonists are the teenage Sinclair children, plus Mark who is a 26 year old man with Asperger's and a love for maps. As such, the kids have conflicts with the adults. At some point, one of the kids complains that the adults refuse to tell them anything, even their future selves (yes, there is time travel involved).

    The basic story line for this first book begins with the Sinclair kids: normal teenagers. There's Simon the oldest, and the twins Caleb and Abbey who are 14 years old. The story is mostly told from Abbey's point of view, although it's in the third person. Some parts are also told from Mark's point of view (more so in the later books). The kids discover a portal to the future, but for some reason there are multiple futures. Each future contains one of the kids as an adult. The rest of the book is a journey of discovery as they fight to learn more about their heritage and abilities, from adults who want to keep the truth from them. They slowly piece together information, never knowing who to trust.

    I've enjoyed this series, especially with how the author represents the thought processes of Mark who has Asperger's. Recommended
    2 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Morri
    4.0 out of 5 stars Twisted Science
    Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I am a grandmother who loves YA, fantasy and science fiction, but the stories have to have a lot of flavor and character to get my attention and hold it.
    This is a fun series. I was taken in quickly and totally could not put the first book (A Pair of Docks) down until I finished. Then immediately ordered the next and so on.

    A different twist for sure, as our young science minded lady has a brain who automatically computes difficult scientific and chemical formulas. When she is exposed to a little magic, she is understandably confused. When she is exposed to a lot of magic, well. You will have to read to find out. I especially loved what Mark, the neighbor with Asperger's brought to the story. Fantastic and very "meaty". Lots and lots of crazy going on in all kinds of levels. I don't especially like or understand science but that did not hinder me in any way. The book moves quickly and is very exciting.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Kids' Edition
    Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Actual Rating: 4.5 stars

    I was amazed at how complicated this book was. Or maybe that was just me.

    A Pair of Docks is a perfect read for kids (young adults and even adults) who love science. There are a lot of references to scientific terms here that I have already forgotten after getting my college diploma. Of course, aside from the aura of geekiness that this book emits, it also doesn't fall short on the action and adventure part. In fact, the book starts out with some thrilling scenes and definitely a lot of running around. I especially like Abbey here, who is the genius of the siblings (although Simon and Abbey's twin Caleb are just also remarkably wise, witty and intelligent in their own ways, too) and I do wish my daughter grows up to be as passionate with science (or any other subject matter) as she is.

    I will admit to being intimidated to so many big science jargons in here that I felt like my head was spinning around. Hmm it did feel like I was reading The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy all over again!

    Disclosure: I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • L.S. Murphy
    3.0 out of 5 stars This book has time travel, witches and changing the future. Good premise but feels a little rushed
    Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

    I loved the premise of the book and most of the plot lines. It is about witches, time travel and changing the future. It was slow to get going but by half way through the book you wanted to read it. Again, I loved the plot line. There was so much going on with all the different people involved that I felt the plot was overshadowed. I would have like to see more explanation on the characters and how they came about and what was going on. To me if felt a little rushed. It has so much promise I think maybe two books instead of one with more descriptions would have kept it from feeling so rushed. I am banking on book two giving me more answers and hopefully not making me feel so rushed.
    4 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • sjhigbee
    5.0 out of 5 stars Well written time travel adventure too good to be left to the children
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 21, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    This book is categorised as a Children’s book, but please don’t let that put you off. Given the complexity of the story, the layering of the characters and the pacing, it feels far more like a YA offering to me. I thoroughly enjoyed this one. The time travel element has been done very well, with the initial hook pulling the reader into the story and then learning the very rich backstory as the adventure continues. The story progression and overall pacing are deftly handled.

    Abbey is one of twins, and I enjoyed the fact that the siblings – along with their older brother – get together to try and sort out what is happening. Given they have very busy parents, they are quite a tight-knit unit, although that doesn’t prevent there being strains in their relationship. Ellis has provided a strong protagonist. Nerdy and very clever, Abbey is also observant and people-smart. I did enjoy her awareness, as I have become just a little tired of young protagonists who seem to do nothing but lurch from one major mistake to another.

    There is an atmosphere of quiet menace pervading this book, which works very well and had me turning the pages long after I should have put the light out and gone to sleep. As for the antagonists, it was also refreshing to have nuanced, clever villains who are convinced they are doing nothing terribly wrong. In fact, it seemed to me that this book could quite as easily have been written from the viewpoint of at least one of them, desperately trying to search for a lost relative, and have us all terribly sympathetic with him.

    The ending was suitably climactic, but left some important questions unanswered, and I am delighted that I have the sequel also on my Kindle as this is a world that won’t leave me alone. Highly recommended for fans of time travel adventures.
    9/10
    Report
  • Reid755
    4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable Read
    Reviewed in Canada on January 9, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I bought this book primarily for my nine and eleven year old kids. They have read other series such as "Percy Jackson and the Olympians", "The Heroes of Olympus", "The Chronicles of Narnia" and "The Mortal Instruments" (to name but a few). I liked the elements of parallel universes, time travel and changing the future and so I thought they might enjoy this book as well. It was a big hit with both of them and they were quick to pick it up and continue reading it whenever they had some free time. The questions raised in it about predicting or changing the future proved to be fodder for some interesting conversations with my kids as well. We're all looking forward to the next installment in this series.
    Report