When You Reach Me in Around the World in 80 Books

Oct 18, 2010 SarahC rated it really liked it

Shelves: young-readers

This is a very captivating story of a sixth-grade NYC girl in the 1970s. It is part ordinary kid story and part fantasy element novel, but with just the right blend to make the characters' experiences very identifiable. The time period really spoke to me too because there was still something very clean and simple about growing up in that time period (pre-personal technology I'll call it). The author is able to describe the character Miranda's life perfectly within this setting. I liked the myste ...more

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Jan 17, 2013 alana rated it really liked it

Shelves: childrenslit

I randomly stumbled upon When You Reach Me in a used bookstore in Japan and picked it up for my middle grade students. Having no idea what I was getting myself into, I was very pleasantly surprised by the readability and intrigue of the plot. Part adolescent angst/part time travel mystery, this book presents small pieces of the story in short chapters that leave you wanting more. I think my students will real enjoy it, though the theories of time travel will likely blow their minds.

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Sep 24, 2009 Madeleine rated it it was ok

Shelves: speculative-fiction, books-for-hipsters, kids-ya

If I'd known that A Wrinkle in Time was woven into the storyline of When You Reach Me I probably would've avoided it. I really disliked Wrinkle in Time...creepy, etc...plus people illogically figured I'd like it since the author has (more or less) the same name I do.

When You Reach Me is good, though. There's still time travel, but less creepy things and mind control by giant brains. And youth books are such fast reads...there is something very satisfying in finishing a book in a couple of hours. ...more

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Jan 21, 2010 Erin (NY) rated it really liked it

Shelves: books-i-own, kids-book, read-in-2010

This book was a good quick read. Very deserving of a Newbery. I particularly liked it because it takes place in NYC. If you haven't read A Wrinkle in Time, I would highly recommend reading it before you read this book. ...more

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Feb 10, 2011 mstan rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: for-young-adults-or-children, american, 2na

This story was good but felt a little too complex for the younger crowd (10-13) which it is aimed at (more because of the whole surreal quality-in-NYC vibe than because it is about time travel) and a little too simple for the older crowd (14-16).

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