2¢ Worth: When You Reach Me (by Rebecca Stead) is an engrossing Middle-Grade mystery about a twelve-year-old girl (in 1978) who begins to receive cryptic notes from the future. As the mystery subtly unravels the girl learns about friendship, kindness, and the possibility that the time travel mentioned in her favorite book may be more than just science fiction. The ending is excellent and I consider it an instant classic I would recommend to any girl. When You Reach Me is a 5-star fresh take on time travel that pays homage to a Wrinkle in Time, makes you think, and feels incredibly contemporary.
Whisper: I believe the message is in the homeless man. He holds a secret and seems to remind children to have compassion and remember ever homeless person has a past and a story.
Whippersnappers: Minor mentions to nudity and the word "hell" is used once.
Review Copyright © of Tales of Whimsy.com
This looks like an awesome book for my niece! Thanks! I'll check it out... Christmas is coming!!
ReplyDeleteI loved A Wrinkle in Time! Now you've made me want to check this out.
ReplyDeleteGreat review! This one was popular last year when I taught 6th grade. The students loved it. It was always flying off the shelves.
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely right! Every homeless person has a story!! But sometimes in our busy lives, we tend to forget that...
ReplyDeleteThis definitely just moved up on my to-read list. And it's a Newbery award winner too! :)
ReplyDeleteBeing a fan of time travel stories (reading and writing them) I absolutely loved this book! So clever and engaging.
ReplyDeleteI like the sound of this book. Thanks for the review - I'll have to give this book a try. :)
ReplyDeleteThis looks so fun! I didn't know it was a time travel story--I'm definitely going to have to find this one!
ReplyDeleteThis was one of the first few books I reviewed on my site and actually one of the first emails I ever received from an author. I. Loved. This. Book! And I'm so so so happy you loved it! I absolutely agree on your point about the homeless man, especially when you add in her friend who got punched in the stomach at one point by "another" person. It's such a beautiful story. Love the review! :o)
ReplyDeleteSounds fantastic. I really enjoyed a Wrinkle in Time so I think I would really enjoy this one.
ReplyDeleteFab-tastic review :)
This sounds good! What fun would it be to receive cryptic letters about the future? I'm adding this one to my list!
ReplyDeleteLove time travel... will have to read this!
ReplyDeleteWrinkle in Time is one of my favorites. Now, I definitely need to check this book out! Thanks! :)
ReplyDeleteI've had my eye on this book but its always been in the middle of my reading pile. I will have to consider bumping it up.
ReplyDeleteOh I have this book on my digital library wish list. You have me excited to read this now. I'm sort of on a middle grade kick right now. :-) Great Wee-view.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting. This sounds like a really good read! Will check it out from the library :)
ReplyDeleteoh this sounds ever-so-lovely and surprising.
ReplyDeleteWANT <3
I love that it pays homage to A Wrinkle In Time - I used to adore that book when I was younger :)
ReplyDeleteGreat review, Juju! I'll have to check this out,
Great review, I remember really enjoying this when i read it, even though I'm one of the few who didn't like A Wrinkle in Time :P
ReplyDeleteSomehow this always slipped under my radar, but your review just piqued my interest in it for the first time. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI'll have to check this one out for the Retro Roadkids - I always like to give 'em books!
ReplyDeleteI need to read this. I've heard nothing but great things and one of my friends recommended it very strongly to me personally, but I just haven't picked it up.
ReplyDeleteMisty: You so should :)
ReplyDeleteModBetty: Yes totally! It's easy to get sucked into.
Heather, Jillian, Jenny N., Julie Swell, Meredith & Renee Ann: Yay!
Audrey: I'm one of those too! I think it's because I read it as an adult. Had I read it first as a child, I think I would have loved it.
Gina Precious: O yes than you must :) One of the best middle-grade books I've ever read.
Midnight: Me too and this one is done well :)
1stdaughter: Really? Too cool! This book make such an impression on me. Isn't it funny how after all the books we've read and reviewed we always remember our firsts?
Elle Strauss: Yes. definitely! Do you have a time traveling favorite?
Jenn: Wahoo! I'm so glad to hear that!
Cherry: Amen to that :)
Christina BookAddict: I can see why :) What grade do you teach now?
YA Book Queen, Nomes, Jenna, Alexis, & JessicaBookLover: Thanks ladies :) And thank you for coming by.
Gina Hott: She will love it. How old is your niece?
I loved this book. I read it for the Classic Double challenge (paired with Wrinkle in Time). I would recommend it to my students for sure!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sara. I totally agree.
Delete:)