Stead, Rebecca. (2009). When You Reach Me. New York, Random House, Inc. ISBN 9780385737425
Summary
When You Reach Me
is the tale of Miranda, a twelve year old in New York who receives mysterious
letters from an unknown person from the future. As time passes and more letters
arrive, Miranda loses touch with her friend Sal, harvests new friendships with
Annemarie and Colin, and helps her mom practice for her appearance on “The $20,000
Pyramid”.
Analysis
When You Reach Me is
set in New York City in the 1970’s. The apartment in which Miranda and her
mother lived is often described as dilapidated, something that a poor, single
mother and child would often experience. Miranda and her friends are very aware
of their surroundings. References to the dangerous nature of the New York
streets help the reader visualize the locations described. Many things take
place on the corner of Amsterdam Avenue, a significant location in the story. Jimmy’s
sandwich shop also plays an important role in the story.
Each character plays a very special role in the story.
Our protagonist, Miranda, is an optimistic child who gives anyone a chance. She’s
heartbroken when her best friend, Sal, stops speaking to her, only to learn
later that he just wanted time to make more friends. In their time apart,
Miranda herself makes new friends, Annemarie and Colin. Her dislike for Julia, a
somewhat dislikeable character in the story, changes when she sees the longing
for an old friend in Julia’s eyes, something Miranda understands. Proof that
she will befriend anyone, Miranda spends some time with Marcus, a boy who
unexpectedly punches Sal. She also gives the crazy “laughing man” on the corner
a chance. Miranda also has endearing relationships with her mother’s boyfriend,
Richard, and a girl at school named Alice who has peculiar bathroom needs.
The plot follows an interesting path. Through most of the
story, the events are realistic, making it hard to grasp the idea of it being a
science fiction novel. Once the letters begin to appear as if from the future, the
sci-fi notion is easier for the reader to understand. The climax blows the
reader away, making odd connections to events that happened throughout the
entire story and tying unexpected characters together.
Miranda never gives up on her feelings about time travel,
even when challenged by other characters. Their beliefs help the reader feel as
if this truly could happen. Stead’s quirky writing makes the reader feel as if
time travel is truly possible. Her words also make us cheer for Miranda during
her triumphs and tribulations.
Miranda’s perseverance is eminent in many aspects of her
life…through maintaining friendships, supporting family, and searching to find the
truth to the mysterious letters. Themes of friendship and independence are also
present.
Personal Response
Because of the mostly realistic nature of the story, I
had difficulties following. When the story reached the climax, I found myself
looking back toward the beginning of the story, piecing together every bit of
the puzzle. Although it is sometimes confusing, the endearing story would be a
great read for students who are into mysterious, eventful novels.
Reviews and Awards
2010
Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Excellence in Children's Literature Winner
2010 John Newbery Medal Winner
2010 John Newbery Medal Winner
“Charmingly eccentric and impossible to categorize, this
middle grade novel pays homage to Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time while
employing many of that book's elements as it crisscrosses the boundaries
between reality and fantasy, time travel and mystery.” –Uma Krishnaswami, Children's Literature
“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." – Kirkus Reviews
“The story's
revelations are startling and satisfying but quietly made. Their reverberations
give plenty of impetus for readers to go back and catch what was missed.”
–Horn Book Starred
Connections
The science fiction nature of When You Reach Me stems from the time travel involved in the story.
Students can be inspired to write their own tale of time travel, only they need
to travel not for the benefit of themselves, but for someone else’s well being.
It can be totally fictional or based on one of their own life events.
Rebecca Stead’s writing in When You Reach Me is very endearing. Students can fall in love with
more of her characters by reading another one of her books:
First Light
Liar and Spy
