Rebecca Stead’s First Light was the second book I reviewed when I started blogging. When her newest novel, When You Reach Me, started getting buzz on various blogs that I read I knew I wanted to read it when it was published in July.
When You Reach Me is historical fiction, though I don’t think a lot of kids will even realize it. Set in 1978, I felt subtly pulled into a different era, yet much of it was familiar. Miranda is in 6th grade, an age I know well. Anyone who has ever been on the cusp of middle school knows what a strange world it is- one where friendships change overnight, crushes are born, and parents seem to aim only to embarrass you. Miranda already has enough to deal with as a 6th grader so when a mystery falls into her lap she does her best to ignore it. After all, she has a lot on her mind! Her best friend, Sal, stopped hanging out with her. Her mom is about to be a contestant on the $20,000 Pyramid, and she might be developing a crush on a boy in her class.
But when Miranda receives a series of strangely prophetic letters over the course of a few months, she doesn’t know what to do. It all begins when she finds a small, stiff piece of paper bearing the following message:
M,
This is hard. Harder than I expected, even with your help. But I have been practicing, and my preparations go well. I am coming to save your friend’s life, and my own. I ask two favors. First, that you write me a letter. Second, that you remember to mention the location of your house key in the letter. The trip is a difficult one. I will not be myself when I reach you.
Each letter is odd and they seem to get stranger as the book goes on. But when Miranda reaches the conclusion of the notes as a tragedy is sort-of-averted, you will be astonished. I certainly was!
This is a book that is different from any other book I have read. As a huge fan of Madeline L’Engle’s books, especially A Wrinkle in Time, Miranda’s love of the same book was a familiar one for me. I have a feeling Rebecca Stead was also a huge fan of A Wrinkle in Time. But this is a hard book to describe without giving away spoilers. All I can say is go out and pre-order this one! It ships in just a couple of weeks.
I can’t wait to read this to my class next fall. Each chapter is short and ends on a paragraph that will have kids begging you to read more. It’s also a fairly quick read, which I will need with my new schedule. And I think it will garner quite a few shiny stickers come award season!
I can also imagine booktalking this one. In 6th grade I have a lot students who enjoy the tv show LOST (as do I). I would call When You Reach Me LOST for the middle school set. The strands of the story all start weaving themselves together, leaving you breathless at the end, much as I imagine I will be at the end of the final season of LOST. There’s mystery woven throughout the book yet it also feels entirely realistic. All in all, a perfect read.
Filed under: newbery, reviews Tagged: | 2010 Newbery predictions, books like LOST
“breathless at the end” — what an apt description of my feelings. LOVE this book!
Gosh, I really want to read this one along with First Light. I recently got First Light but have not had the chance to read it. Can’t wait to read both!
You make it sound so great it’s making me even more anxious about reading it 
[...] Comment! It has been said this book “has a darkness and a depth that pulls you in” (Fuse #8), a subtly ominous mood and perfect pacing (100 Scope Notes). It has been called LOST for the middle grade set (The Reading Zone). [...]
[...] into Miranda’s story from the first page with the exciting air of mystery Stead creates.” The Reading Zone: “In 6th grade I have a lot students who enjoy the tv show LOST (as do I). I would call When [...]
[...] Book Reviews | The Reading Zone | The Book Muncher | Save Ophelia | and lots [...]
Pretty amazing book. Lots of mystery. I really enjoyed reading When You Reach Me.