When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
Young Adult
208 pages
Wendy Lamb Books (July 14, 2009)



My rating: 5 of 5 stars

6th grader Miranda lives in New York City in 1978 with her mother, and carries around a battered copy of Madeline L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time, her security blanket and compass. When she receives a  series of cryptic notes about something that will happen in her future, she starts watching the people around her, both her friends, and especially the odd laughing man that sleeps near her building.

Part mystery, part historical fiction (yes, the 70's are historical fiction to twelve year olds), part science fiction, When You Reach Me is a fun romp of enough interesting subplots to keep the reader guessing. My favorite subplot is the preparations that Miranda and her mom's boyfriend make to prepare Miranda's mom for her turn at the $20,000 Pyramid. I forgot how much I loved the game show, and especially Dick Clark's banter with the contestants before the final round. Thank goodness for The Game Show Network.