Singularity is an adventure-accomplishment romance, a study of sibling rivalry, and a fantastic story dealing with the altering time, all common topics of other books by young adult writers. It is an adventure-accomplishment romance in which the protagonist learns to overcome his feelings of selfdoubt, Singularity has elements in common with the comic novel One Fat Summer (1977) by Robert Lipsyte, whose protagonist, Bobby Marks, emerges more physically fit at the end of his struggle, adding to his new confidence.

Sleator's Harry Kresner also resembles Brian Robeson of Gary Paulsen's Hatchet (1987), whose fifty-four days alone in the wilderness make him more aware of the world around him. Like that of Miyax of Jean Craighead George's Julie of the Wolves (1972), Harry's time spent in isolation provides him with a new perspective of his life, allowing him to return to civilization with confidence.

A number of novels for young...