Monday, March 16, 2015

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

This book is a narrative told by a girl who is 11. She is writing it to a person that is unnamed and remains a mystery, until the end.  It is the story of a girl and her friendships, life and growing up. While in the midst of the story, you don’t quite understand all the pieces until the end. It is based in the 70’s and many references the author makes will be lost on kids that read it today. It is, in some ways, an homage to A Wrinkle in Time, and, if you have read that, you will understand more of it the book and some of its references.  If, however, you have not read A Wrinkle in Time and know nothing about the 70’s, the book’s true meaning will be lost. It becomes just another book about friendships and happenstance instead of a book probing the meaning of time and thinking deeply about something.
Grades 5-7 (but perhaps better as an adult quick read?)