When You Reach Me
Written by: Rebecca Stead
Published by: Wendy Lamb Books, July 14, 2009
Paperback: 208 pages
Oh, When You Reach Me, how do I love you? Let me count the ways…
1) It pays homage to one of my favorite books EVAH; Madeleine L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time.
2) It involves TIME TRAVEL.
3) The characters are just darling.
Miranda is a sixth-grader living in New York with her mother in 1978 (the year I was born!!!!). Her most favorite book in the WHOLE WIDE WORLD is A Wrinkle in Time. She reads it ALL. THE. TIME. It is the only book she WILL READ. So when she starts getting a bunch of mysterious notes from someone who hints of future events, she comes to believe that they are, in fact, from the future. She tries to find the connection to the notes and her life by observing everything around her from her friends, her family and event he raving lunatic homeless man that lives on her street.
I read this during the recent readathon and it was absolutely perfect for that event, as so many of you told me. Thank you! I loved this lovely little book. I appreciated the references to A Wrinkle in Time, the characters and their beautifully written voices, and the plot…the plot! As it unfolded I got so excited because it just seemed so perfectly done. Do you ever feel that way? When you’re reading, and everything is unfolding so beautifully, so EXACTLY what you wanted? Don’t you just want to cry?
Well, I didn’t cry, but I do think I sniffled a little bit.
If you enjoy mid-grades and YA fiction, I definitely recommend you give this little gem a read. Or, if you liked A Wrinkle in Time, because I felt the some of the same magic from that book in this one. You can really tell the author must love that book as much as you did. Stead writes with a sure, knowing hand and her words just glow. This is an unusual and thought-provoking little mystery that will definitely speak to the child in you.
Author also wrote:
Also Reviewed by:
Becky’s Book Reviews | The Reading Zone | The Book Muncher | Save Ophelia
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I received this book from the publisher, to whom I say THANK YOU!!!
This title (and author, for that matter!) is new to me. Looks charming!
.-= Stephanie´s last blog ..Showin’ Off My Shelves =-.
I loved loved loved this book too!
.-= nomadreader´s last blog ..book review: Empowered by Sheryl Ellinwood =-.
I got all excited as you read your review. The cover looks so familiar, I was just sure I have the book, but I'm sad to say I don't. I guess I've seen other great reviews. *sigh*
.-= Kathy´s last blog ..Angels: Interview with Bruce Foster, paper engineer plus giveaway =-.
I know exactly what you mean by the plot perfectly unfolding. I could not get over how well everything was thought out.
I'm super glad you enjoyed it.
.-= lena´s last blog ..The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins =-.
Oh, you had me right from #2!! I LOVE time travel books and I just listed A Wrinkle in Time on my list of Top Ten Books from my childhood at my blog this week! That series was my absolute favorite when I was a kid.
I will definitely read this one – thanks so much for the review!
Sue
.-= Sue Jackson´s last blog ..Teen/YAReview: Hush, Hush =-.
Oh, I'm so excited I didn't just add it to my TBR list – I went right to the library's site and requested it – can't wait to read it!
Sue
.-= Sue Jackson´s last blog ..Fiction review: Heretic’s Daughter =-.
i agree, this is a great book–I absolutely loved it!
Sounds darling! I have never read and Madeleine L'Engle though. I don't know why I was never able to get into her books when I was younger.
.-= Nicole´s last blog ..This Just In! A Lot Of Books! =-.
Wow, that sounds great! I've added it to my list. I love Madeleine L'Engle!
.-= Laura @ ImBookingIt´s last blog ..Review: Now & Then by Jacqueline Sheehan =-.
Totally love the cover — adorable! (I'm a total cover art junkie; I just can't help it!) I remember reading A Wrinkle In Time when I was 12 or 13 and not really "getting" it… that was way before my days as an obsessive reader and future English major, haha. Definitely need to re-read it — and grab this one, too!
.-= Meg´s last blog ..Book wishlists: A real fine place to start? =-.
I've never been a bit Wrinkle in Time fan, but this book sounds ADORABLE!
.-= Andi´s last blog ..Birthday Bliss! =-.
This sounds good! Off to add it to my wish list.
.-= Kailana´s last blog ..Tatiana & Alexander by Paullina Simons =-.
Oh man, this sounds good! We generally share the same taste so I'll have to pick it up if you're raving so about it!
.-= Pam´s last blog ..BTT: Good Until the Bitter End? =-.
I don't really like MG fiction, but I've heard such great things about this book that I want to read it. Thanks for the review.
.-= S. Krishna´s last blog ..The Magicians – Lev Grossman =-.