When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

1. Bibliography
Stead, Rebecca. WHEN YOU REACH ME. New York, NY: Random House, Inc. ISBN 0385737425.

2. Plot Summary
This book is about twelve-year-old Miranda and her group of friends in a New York City neighborhood. However, things begin to change after her best friend, Sal gets punched by a boy named Marcus. Then, he (Sal) shuts Miranda out of his life by not wanting to be around her anymore. After a while, other strange occurrences start happening. For instance, the key that Miranda's mother keeps for emergencies is stolen and Miranda keeps finding strange notes written by an anonymous person who keeps predicting the events that will change Miranda's life forever.

3. Critical Analysis
It is possible for young readers (grades 5-8) to feel a kinship with Miranda, the protagonist and narrator. Miranda is no different from the typical twelve-year-old who is just trying to make sense of the world and the reasons why people choose to do what they do. Perhaps, the most intriguing aspect that this book possesses in regards to its characters is that Miranda mirrors the disbelief of the reader, especially when a tragic event takes place involving Miranda, Sal, Marcus, and the crazy old laughing homeless man under the mailbox.
     One thing that could be said about this book is that it is original and creative enough to hold the typical young reader's interest. The language, style, and tone of the book is easy and relatable to younger readers. Miranda's voice creates a distinctive framework for the story.
     The underlying theme of this book seems to be that any person that you encounter in your life-whether you encounter in your life-whether you encounter that person every day can have a lasting impact on your life that you will never forget.

4. Review Excerpts
Kirkus 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.'"
School Library Journal-"This unusual, thought-provoking mystery will appeal to several types of readers."

5. Connections
Here is a great activity that middle school-aged students can do after reading When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead:

Young readers can write a story in which time travel (a subject brought up pretty often in this book) takes place. First, the young reader will write a profile of three or four characters that he or she will have in his or her story. Then the young reader will consider which puzzle the story will create and how it will end up. This could also be done in groups (activity courtesy of http://textpublishing.com.au/static/files/assets/6ea3b4fa/WhenYouReachMe_TeachersResource.pdf).

Other great books with similar themes may include:

• Gantos, Jack. DEAD END IN NORVELT. ISBN 037379939.
• Lin, Grace. WHERE THE MOUNTAIN MEETS THE MOON. ISBN 0316038636.
• Vanderpool, Clare. MOON OVER MANIFEST. ISBN 0375858296.