Title: When You Reach MeAuthor: Rebecca Stead
Published: July 14, 2009
Awards: Newbery Medal (2010)
Genre: Children's Literature
Sticking with finding quality children's and young adult literature for the classroom, I'm reviewing another Newbery Medal winner from author Rebecca Stead.
Since 12-year-old Miranda can remember, it's always been Miranda and Sal. Sal and Miranda. The two best friends help each other navigate the streets of 1970's New York City. They know who to trust, like Belle the grocery store cashier, and who to avoid, like the "laughing man" who lives on their corner. Then one day things change. Sal gets punched for seemingly no reason, and subsequently shuts Miranda out of his life. As if that wasn't strange enough, soon Miranda begins to receive mysterious notes from a stranger who claims to know about a deadly accident that will occur sometime in the future: an accident he can prevent, but only with Miranda's help.
The novel is wonderfully realistic with it's themes of friendship, first crushes, and quirky families. Making the novel even more believable is the rich historical detail from the 1970's. For example, Dick Clark hosting the game show that Miranda's mom is entering and the lingering distrust of African Americans. At the center of it all is a dangerous mystery of fantastic proportions that Miranda needs to solve! Fans of A Wrinkle in Time will love this book (but I won't tell you why)!
When You Reach Me is a great addition to any classroom library. My copy even had 10 pages of discussion suggestions and activities for teachers! But readers young and old will get swept up in the mystery and will root for Miranda as she learns more about her world and herself.
Kaylee says:
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