# Unknown children's book - Need title **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 13, 2004, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unknown-childrens-book-need-title/254862 "2004-07-13T06:44:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![QuarkChild](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/c5a1d2/32.png) [@QuarkChild](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuarkChild)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2004, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unknown-childrens-book-need-title/254862/1 "2004-07-13T06:44:19Z")
There is something that has been bothering me for a really long time. When I was in 3rd grade, I read a book about a boy who went to live at a male relative’s house. There was a clock buried inside the walls of the house, but no one knew where it was. The male relative was actually a sorceror (or similar), and the clock was magic. The sorceror was obsessed with trying to find the location of the clock, because when it finally ran down, something magical and very bad would happen. I could have sworn the title was _A Clock in the Wall_, but it must not be because I’ve searched with that title several times and never found a reference to it. If anyone has ever read this obscure children’s book, please let me know! Otherwise, it will just have to remain a mystery. ---
**Author:** ![QuarkChild](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/c5a1d2/32.png) [@QuarkChild](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuarkChild)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2004, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unknown-childrens-book-need-title/254862/2 "2004-07-13T06:50:53Z")
While I’m at it, here’s another one that’s been bothering me: It’s a futuristic science fiction story for children. A lack of ozone layer, and possibly other ecological catastrophes, has forced the world’s population underground. There is a giant underground city, with 80 levels. The people on the lowest level are the poorest, and don’t even realize that they are underground. They have no knowledge of the above world. The main character is named Amy (I think) and she meets a boy named Adam who is from one of the higher levels. Together, they escape the lower levels and reach the outside. One detail I remember from the book is that the UV radiation burns their eyes and they have to mount claw-like structures on their eyelids to keep them from swelling shut. (I always thought that was stupid–why not wear some kind of UV protection?) I finally started writing down all the names and authors of all the books I read–I wish I had thought of that two decades ago. ---
**Author:** ![Catsmeow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Catsmeow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catsmeow)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2004, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unknown-childrens-book-need-title/254862/3 "2004-07-13T07:13:26Z")
the first one could be The House with a clock in its walls by John Bellairs summary: A ten-year-old orphan searches for a clock that is programmed to end the world Hope that helps! ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2004, 10:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unknown-childrens-book-need-title/254862/4 "2004-07-13T10:09:42Z")
I never miss a chance to plug this site: [http://www.logan.com/loganberry/stump.html](http://www.logan.com/loganberry/stump.html) when I see a children’s book thread. My sister and I have used it several times and have always got an answer. It costs $2 per title, but when one is stumped and going nuts at not remembering, it’s worth it. I even solved one for somebody else. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2004, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unknown-childrens-book-need-title/254862/5 "2004-07-13T12:18:04Z")
Dammit!!! Finally one I know the answer to, and I’m too late! **Baker** , that’s a great site! You must be the person who steered me there. Thanks again. ---
**Author:** ![QuarkChild](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/c5a1d2/32.png) [@QuarkChild](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuarkChild)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2004, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unknown-childrens-book-need-title/254862/6 "2004-07-14T02:26:06Z")
Yes, that was the book. Thanks so much! ---
**Author:** ![Catsmeow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Catsmeow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catsmeow)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2004, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unknown-childrens-book-need-title/254862/7 "2004-07-14T05:16:32Z")
Yay! Glad I could help! I love talking books! 🙂