When You Reach Me

When You Reach Me
By Rebecca Stead
Call Number J STE

Miranda is a twelve-year-old girl who lives with her single mom in a New York City apartment. When the story opens in early 1979, Miranda relates to a mysterious person how her mother had just been invited to be a contestant on Dick Clark’s game show The $20,000 Pyramid in April, an event the mysterious person had predicted. This mysterious person wants Miranda to write a letter retelling the events of the autumn and winter of 1978.
Miranda writes:

“Sometimes I work on it in my head, trying to map out the story you asked me to tell, about everything that happened this past fall and winter. It’s all still there, like a movie I can watch when I want to. Which is never.”

Fortunately for both the reader and the mysterious person, Miranda does consider writing the letter and in the process tells an amazing and tragic story.

As Miranda recalls recent events, we meet her friends and are introduced to the crazy man who has taken residence under the mailbox on the corner by Miranda’s apartment. Miranda’s favorite book is A Wrinkle In Time, which won the Newberry in 1963. Familiarity with A Wrinkle In Time is not necessary, but would enrich the overall story. Miranda makes multiple references to events in her favorite book and her mysterious schoolmate Marcus uses scenes from the book to explain the concept of time travel.

This 2010 winner of the Newberry Medal is an intriguing and quick read. Stead’s narrative is tighter than it seems at first glance, so don’t skim. Part of the suspense is derived from slowly realizing what is going on. When You Reach Me touches on the themes of growing up, friendship, sacrifice, redemption, and even time-travel. The story is powerful and makes the reader think while reading and reflect on the story long after closing the book. After finishing, you might want to turn back to the beginning and re-read to appreciate how all the little details come together and savor the spectacular storytelling.

Reviewed by Margaret Ballard