by Rebecca SteadStead, Rebecca. 2009. When you reach me. New York: Wendy Lamb Books. ISBN 0-385-73742-4.
SUMMARY
The year is 1979, Miranda, who is a 6th grader, lives with her mother in an apartment in Upper West Side New York City. Although there is a homeless man living on the corner of Miranda’s street, who rants the words “book bag pocket shoe” and her mother has been chosen to appear on the game show, $20,000 Pyramid, life for Miranda is quite normal. That is however, until her best friend Sal is punched in the stomach and Miranda begins receiving odd notes. As if things could not get any weirder, Miranda not only learns the identity of the boy, who punched Sal, she also learns that he is not the bad person; she had perceived him to initially be. Throughout the story, Miranda learns the meaning of friendship and becomes a witness to the one of life’s many mysteries.
The author’s skills and ingenuity are definitely reflected throughout this literary award winner. Incorporating features from various genres, When You Reach Me, is not only your science fiction/mystery story; it is also a work of historical fiction. The child’s place in New York City during 1979 is clearly depicted by the exposure of how children during this time were more independent. There are multiple age appropriate and significant themes, which are subtly incorporated into the story to include independence and friendship. All the characters, especially Miranda’s, are characters we can all identify with in one form or another. Miranda’s thoughts and perspective demonstrate her strengths and weaknesses, which in turn, engages and moves the reader through the story’s events.
The author magnificently creates a story, which can stand the test of time. The dialogue is not specific to the slang or colloquialisms of the time however; it is as realistic as it is age-appropriate. Although the story’s plot does contain references specific to the time and place identified and also contains the element of imagination; it still holds true to the genre of contemporary realism. The author’s style creates the tone and mood of the book through the story’s events such as the mysterious appearances of the notes, the disappearance of Jimmy’s $2 bills, and the rose left on Annemarie’s doormat. The best part of the plot is that although I would surely agree that it is unmistakably imaginative, including many unexpected twists and turns, the author superbly prepares the reader for the cause and effect of the story’s events. The reader is not left at the conclusion of the story unsure as to what just happened but rather, exhaling with a satisfied feeling of delight.
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
Winner of the 2010 Newbery Medal
Winner of the 2010 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Fiction & Poetry
2009 Parents’ Choice Gold Award Winner
EDITORIAL REVIEWS
"[W]hen 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.'" --Starred Review, Kirkus
"[T]he 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." --Starred Review, Booklist
"Closing revelations are startling and satisfying but quietly made, their reverberations giving plenty of impetus for the reader to go back to the beginning and catch what was missed." --Starred Review, The Horn Book Magazine
"This unusual, thought-provoking mystery will appeal to several types of readers." --Starred Review, School Library Journal
CONNECTIONS-Activities
SUMMARY
The year is 1979, Miranda, who is a 6th grader, lives with her mother in an apartment in Upper West Side New York City. Although there is a homeless man living on the corner of Miranda’s street, who rants the words “book bag pocket shoe” and her mother has been chosen to appear on the game show, $20,000 Pyramid, life for Miranda is quite normal. That is however, until her best friend Sal is punched in the stomach and Miranda begins receiving odd notes. As if things could not get any weirder, Miranda not only learns the identity of the boy, who punched Sal, she also learns that he is not the bad person; she had perceived him to initially be. Throughout the story, Miranda learns the meaning of friendship and becomes a witness to the one of life’s many mysteries.
The author’s skills and ingenuity are definitely reflected throughout this literary award winner. Incorporating features from various genres, When You Reach Me, is not only your science fiction/mystery story; it is also a work of historical fiction. The child’s place in New York City during 1979 is clearly depicted by the exposure of how children during this time were more independent. There are multiple age appropriate and significant themes, which are subtly incorporated into the story to include independence and friendship. All the characters, especially Miranda’s, are characters we can all identify with in one form or another. Miranda’s thoughts and perspective demonstrate her strengths and weaknesses, which in turn, engages and moves the reader through the story’s events.
The author magnificently creates a story, which can stand the test of time. The dialogue is not specific to the slang or colloquialisms of the time however; it is as realistic as it is age-appropriate. Although the story’s plot does contain references specific to the time and place identified and also contains the element of imagination; it still holds true to the genre of contemporary realism. The author’s style creates the tone and mood of the book through the story’s events such as the mysterious appearances of the notes, the disappearance of Jimmy’s $2 bills, and the rose left on Annemarie’s doormat. The best part of the plot is that although I would surely agree that it is unmistakably imaginative, including many unexpected twists and turns, the author superbly prepares the reader for the cause and effect of the story’s events. The reader is not left at the conclusion of the story unsure as to what just happened but rather, exhaling with a satisfied feeling of delight.
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
Winner of the 2010 Newbery Medal
Winner of the 2010 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Fiction & Poetry
2009 Parents’ Choice Gold Award Winner
EDITORIAL REVIEWS
"[W]hen 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.'" --Starred Review, Kirkus
"[T]he 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." --Starred Review, Booklist
"Closing revelations are startling and satisfying but quietly made, their reverberations giving plenty of impetus for the reader to go back to the beginning and catch what was missed." --Starred Review, The Horn Book Magazine
"This unusual, thought-provoking mystery will appeal to several types of readers." --Starred Review, School Library Journal
CONNECTIONS-Activities
1. Have a discussion focused on friendship:
a. Why does Sal stop talking to Miranda?
b. Why does Miranda stop disliking Julia?
c. Why does Miranda become Alice’s bathroom partner?
2. Have a discussion focused on stealing:
a. Collin takes bread from Jimmy’s restaurant.
b. The laughing man steals Jimmy’s bank full of $2 bills.
c. Miranda’s mom takes office supplies from work.
a. Why does Sal stop talking to Miranda?
b. Why does Miranda stop disliking Julia?
c. Why does Miranda become Alice’s bathroom partner?
2. Have a discussion focused on stealing:
a. Collin takes bread from Jimmy’s restaurant.
b. The laughing man steals Jimmy’s bank full of $2 bills.
c. Miranda’s mom takes office supplies from work.
CONNECTIONS-Reading
1. L'Engle, Madeleine. 1962. A wrinkle in time. New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux.
1. L'Engle, Madeleine. 1962. A wrinkle in time. New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux.
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