BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Stead, Rebecca. 2009. WHEN YOU REACH ME. New York: Random House. ISBN: 978-0-385-73742-5
PLOT SUMMARIZATION:
Miranda is a typical 12 year old latch-key kid. She has friends (sort of), she loves her mom (most of the time), she wonders if she is normal (of course what does that mean), and she is receiving strange letters (from the future). Stead leads the reader on a realistic journey through the life of a 6th grader who is readying her mother for a trip to compete on the “$20,000 Pyramid”. We see her make friends, wonder about old friends, deal with the reality of walking alone on the streets of New York, and try to do things right.
Miranda is a likable and very relatable heroine. Normal in every way until the fantastic element of the story comes in with the mysterious letters Miranda has received. These notes provide proof that they are written by someone who knows the future. The author of the notes says he (or she) is there to save her best friend and that Miranda’s help is needed if the mission is to be successful. While trying to deal with this mystery, Miranda learns about her friend’s epilepsy, she discusses the possibility of time travel with a kid fairly new to her school, and she tries to find out why her life-long friend Sal has abandoned her.
Miranda’s ultimate acceptance that she really is receiving letters which tell the future coincides with a heart-wrenching yet fulfilling end.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
The story of Miranda is current (although it is set in the late 1970s) and so realistic that readers in middle grades will connect immediately. The fantasy of a time traveling, mysterious helper will draw the reader in and keep them guessing until the conclusion. Snead’s work is low fantasy, as the only item that pulls it from the genre of contemporary fiction into the realm of fantasy is the inclusion of time travel.
Snead deals with many issues in this work. Readers will see an honest look at epilepsy, the issue of prejudice, the plight of the homeless (and the apparently mentally ill), the fear evoked by bullying, the struggles of single parenthood, and the often lonely reality of latch-key children. She deals with each of these topics with compassion and frankness although none of them is not explored in extreme depth. Stead also handles them is such a way as to not make the reader feel inundated with topics. The issues are realistic and important to young people but are included with a soft touch.
When You Reach Me is a great read and one that encourages readers to think about the interlinking of our lives and that of the lives of those around us.
AWARDS/REVIEWS:
*Amazon.com: "Rebecca Stead's poignant novel, When You Reach Me, captures the interior monologue and observations of kids who are starting to recognize and negotiate the complexities of friendship and family, class and identity." Lauren Nemroff
*School Library Journal: "This unusual, thought-provoking mystery will appeal to several types of readers." Caitlin Augusta
* 2010 Newberry winner
*Starred review from Kirkus Reviews, Horn Book, Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal and Booklist
CONNECTIONS:
*read aloud or have students read a Wrinkle In Time by L’Engle, Miranda’s favorite book
*have students work in small groups to research one of the topics presented in the book and then have them present to class as a whole
*have the school counselor come in and lead discussions with the students about one of the issues presented like being a latch-key kid or bullying or friendship
*have students select two of the issues brought out in the book to write a journal about not to be shared with the class
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