When You Reach Me (Module 6)

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Stead, Rebecca. 2009. When You Reach Me. New York: Wendy Lamb Books. ISBN: 9780385906647.



2. PLOT SUMMARY

Intertwining fantasy and mystery, the plot jumps around a bit in time, appropriate since it also addresses time travel, as we hear the story of twelve-year-old Miranda and the letters she has been receiving that foretell the future and also give seemingly weird instructions. The entire book is addressed to “you,” the person who has been sending the notes, and follows Miranda’s life as she loses her best friend, makes new ones, figures out who has been writing the notes, and learns what’s really important in life.


3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Following typical fantasy protocol, When You Reach Me features both a large task (time travel) and a sacrifice (giving of one’s own life, although I won't tell you whose). The author does a great job of creating a "real" life setting, consistently following its rules, and yet explaining time travel in a way that allows for its possibility. The ending is highly satisfying, pulling all the pieces of the puzzle and the ideas of time travel together. Each seemingly random detail falls into place by the end of the book.

Set in New York, Stead has created a vague contemporary feel, although from the beginning the time frame is clearly delineated as 1979. The setting in a big city is vital to the plot so that there is tension and slight feelings of danger with the existence of bullies and homeless on every corner as everyone is living in apartments and walking to places.

The main theme of really accepting the responsibility to do what is right is not preachy and is woven in with themes of friendship, loyalty, and coming of age. The voices of the characters are consistent with the tween age, and Miranda shows how she is maturing and growing from child to young adult.

Readers who love mysteries or science fiction or both will really get into this book and want to read it again once it’s all over to pick up on what was the subtle clues that were overlooked the first time through. I know I did.


4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

• Newbery Medal Winner
• ALA Notable Book/Best Book for Young Adults
• Booklist starred review: “The ’70s New York setting is an honest reverberation of the era; the mental gymnastics required of readers are invigorating; and the characters, children and adults, are honest bits of humanity no matter in what place or time their souls rest.”
• Kirkus starred review: “Some might guess at the baffling, heart-pounding conclusion, but when all the sidewalk characters from Miranda’s Manhattan world converge amid mind-blowing revelations and cunning details, teen readers will circle back to the beginning and say, ‘Wow...cool.’”
• Library Media Connection review: “This well-written book is planned and executed to keep readers engaged until the very end. The author’s style is appealing because of her character development and clever plot vehicles. The topics are interesting and the short chapters keep the pace flowing quickly.”


5. CONNECTIONS


• Random House’s website page on When You Reach Me has many helps for teaching this book including a video of the author and downloadable teacher’s guide. The teacher’s guide is 16 pages packed with wonderful information and help, including pre-reading activities, vocabulary, curriculum connections, and websites.
  
• Madeleine L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time is featured throughout this book. Students, whether they have read it or not, will want to look over different parts of the book. It would be especially beneficial to read as a group the moment when Meg is returned to the garden along with the passage in When You Reach Me in which they discuss that part. 

• Read alikes: (from Booklist)
  

Almond, David. Skellig. ISBN: 9780385326537

Creech, Sharon. Walk Two Moons. ISBN: 9780060233341.

Fitzhugh, Louise. Harriet the Spy. ISBN: 9780385327831.

Raskin, Ellen. The Westing Game. ISBN: 9780142401200.

Snyder, Zilpha Keatley. The Egypt Game. ISBN: 9781416960652.