The Navigator by Eoin McNamee.

Looking for a great read for boys from about 5th grade through 8th?  Well, this is the book for you!

Owen finds himself adrift as time starts to run backwards.  He is saved by the Resisters who live on an island outside of time, fighting their enemies the Harsh.  The Harsh want to turn back time to before humans existed so that the land is barren and frozen.  The Resisters are the only ones who stand in their way.  Owen makes friends with Cati, the daughter of the Watcher, who stays awake while all of the other Resisters sleep until they are needed again to fight the Harsh.  He finds himself fighting for his father’s integrity as well as his own as the Resisters suspect that he is working for the Harsh. 

The book is a phenomenal read filled with action galore, great characters, amazing technology, and lots of tension.  It reads like a movie, the writing allowing visualization of all of the action.  The setting and situation are unique to this novel, making it a great gateway book into science fiction. 

Recommend this to boys who enjoy Artemis Fowl.  Yes, it doesn’t have fairies and it is more sci fi than fantasy, but the action is similar and the same kids should enjoy the novel.