Wee, the last book came out in '03 and now its '05 sothe perfect solution would be suspended animation of some sort, then Dan, Emma, and Rup would look the same age regardless. Potterdog has a good point about Smallville though. I don't find it that difficult to suspend my disbelief about Clark. I couldn't believe they were still in school last season, but I got over it. People will just have to get over the age difference with Dan, Em, and Rupe too. It would be disasterous to introduce new actors in these parts.