This fantastic book, When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead, is the winner of the 2010 Newbury Honor Award. I would recommend this fantasy / science fiction novel as an independent or class read aloud for students in 4th - 6th grade.
The book draws the reader in quickly, by providing just enough information to get the reader interested but not enough to reveal how the story is going to play out! The book's narrator, Miranda, is a sixth grade student in New York City who is struggling to understand why her friendship with her childhood friend Sal is falling apart. To make things more difficult, she has begun to receive strange notes that predict the future, and she cannot figure out who is sending them or why- but she is sure that they have something to do with her issues with Sal.
The book's plot becomes more complicated and exciting as Miranda learns more about the notes and about her classmates at her middle school. Very strange things continue to happen around Miranda, but they relate and make sense in a way that helps Miranda and the reader believe that what is happening in the story is real. At the end of the book, all mysteries are revealed- and you will never believe how everything in the book takes on a shocking new meaning! The reader learns and grows with Miranda as she understands the importance of the strange notes, events, and friendships she experiences throughout her 6th grade school year.
I loved this book- I could not put it down! I was completely drawn in to Miranda's New York City world and felt like I knew and understood the characters. I also loved how the book came together at the end. Despite the complexity of the book's plot, the author did not leave any loose ends. Stead incorporates the fantastical, futuristic concept of time travel into the book's plot, and gives clues to the reader about this through frequent references to Madeleine L'Engle's book A Wrinkle in Time, which also explores the concept of time travel. While the reader must stretch her/his imagination to consider the possible reality of time travel, Stead builds the concept so thoroughly into the entire plot that it is hard not believe in its logical role as an explanation of events in the book.
I felt that this book approached a level of plot complexity that I have not seen in many other children's books. However, it was still a very fast-paced, engaging read and contained characters that 4th - 6th graders could relate to, regardless of the reader's connection to the setting and science fiction elements of the book.
This book would be especially fun as a 4th - 6th grade class read aloud or reading group selection, as there are so many interesting twists and turns to discuss and pick apart with a group. If you choose to read this book independently, ask a friend or family member (adults will love it too) to read it along with you so you can discuss it- this will help clear up any confusing points and also provide a chance to share thoughts about what surprised you and what you liked. I found that I was able to clarify a lot of points and take more meaning from the book by discussing it after I finished reading it.
You can learn more about author Rebecca Stead and her book When You Reach Me at her website (http://www.rebeccasteadbooks.com), which is set up to be easy and fun for students to navigate. You can purchase Stead's books through the Independent Online Book Sellers Association (http://www.iobabooks.com/books/294373321.html) or through Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/When-You-Reach-Rebecca-Stead/dp/0385737424). The book is also available through the Minuteman Library Network (search When You Reach Me, http://library.minlib.net/search/).
Thanks for reading; enjoy!
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