WHEN YOU REACH ME by Rebecca Stead

Bibliography: 

Stead, Rebecca.  2009. WHEN YOU REACH ME. New York, NY: Yearling Publishing.  ISBN 9780375850868

Plot Summary: 

Miranda is a sixth grader in New York City during the late 1970’s.  Her best friend, Sal, is growing distant from her.  Mystery surrounds this young girl as she begins receiving strange notes.  The notes are coming from someone who seems to know about things that have not happened yet.  Miranda, as she is reading A Wrinkle in Time, becomes obsessed with time travel.  Where will this fantasy novel take Miranda, and all those that dare to go on this mysterious journey through the pages of When You Reach Me?

Critical Analysis: 

Readers will enjoy this wonderful story that is an engaging coming-of-age tale with its realistic characters.  Miranda is easy to connect with as the author describes her.  Her once normal sixth grade life begins to change suddenly as her best friend begins to distance himself from her.  Through the book, Miranda matures and gains independence.  The setting is easy to connect with as well, as most readers will have some knowledge about New York City.   The plot centers on the mystery of the notes that seem to tell about events that have not happened yet. This fantasy fiction novel will take readers on an adventure with each turning of the page.   

Reviews: 

·        2010 Newbery Award winner

·        2012 Massachusetts Children’s Book Award winner

·        New York Times:  “In this taut novel, every word, every sentence, has meaning and substance … it is a complex mystery … most of the novel is a thrilling puzzle.”

Connections: 

Age Level:  8 and up

·        Read A Wrinkle in Time before this novel so that as it is mentioned often, great discussion and comparisons can be made with each book.

·        Character analysis

·        Discuss author’s purpose throughout the story as the mystery unfolds.  Look back and analyze how she pieced the story together, discussing foreshadowing.

·        Research this time period – late 1970’s – Discuss the importance of the year to the book’s setting/time period.

·        Compare this book to past realistic fiction books

o   Pick out the specific characteristics that make this book a fantasy fiction book.