When You Reach Me

Miranda is a 12-year-old girl, growing up in New York City in 1979. She is a latchkey kid living with her single mother and she adores the newly published book A Wrinkle in Time. Her best friend is a boy named Sal, fellow latchkey kid who lives in her building. But everything changes when one day, as they are walking home from school, Sal is punched in a seemingly random act of violence. After that, Sal stops talking to Miranda. Then a series of strange events begins that will change Miranda's life forever. First, the hidden spare key to her apartment is stolen. They she recieves a mysterious letter. Whoever sent her this letter seems to know things that will happen in the future, and forbodingly promises to save her friend's life. Miranda is understandibly skeptical at first, but as these things slowly begin to happen, she begins to realize that the letter-writer's knowlege is too great to be a coincidence. The stakes are high - but Miranda isn't really sure just how high until it is almost too late.

This is a brilliantly executed book, proving that there is no sophomore slump for author Rebecca Stead. The writing is efficient - every single word accomplishes something, and there's no fluffy filler. This keeps the pages turning quickly. It's very hard to place this book into any sort of genre - it's part historical fiction, part mystery, part science fiction, so there's something in here for everyone. The book is very character-driven rather than plot-driven, which will force readers to be somewhat patient as the story unfolds. However, those readers who are patient will definitely be rewarded in the end. This book's finale is phenominal, bringing together all of the pieces of the story and making everything clear in a brilliant moment of clarity.

Lots of references are made in this book to Madeline L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time. You don't have to have read A Wrinkle in Time to enjoy this book, but I do imagine that those who read When You Reach Me might be interested in checking out this classic tale again or for the first time.

Overall Grade: A

Edit 1/20/2010: Congratulations to author Recebba Stead for winning the 2010 Newbery Medal for this wondeful book!