Guest post by Jennifer @ Kingsgate
When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
This story set in 1978-79 New York City defies easy description. It's not just historical fiction, nor an "I need to find a new friend" tale. The story begins with a 6th grade girl's life changing when her formerly inseparable best friend begins to distance himself from her. She doesn't understand it, yet deals with it without stooping to self-damaging behavior or melodrama. It doesn't bring a lot of turmoil to her life at school either, but a new awareness starts to dawn on her that not all is as she assumes it to be; from noticing the shabbiness of her own apartment, or the crazy antics of the homeless guy on the street, to the treatment of a fellow student for a behavioral quirk or skin color, Miranda opens her eyes to a number of new ideas. Not all of them make sense to her, or the reader, at first...but it all comes together in the end in this powerful novel.Score: 4.75 out of 5
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I have to say, I'm glad someone else wrote the blurb for this, since I thought it was great but had no idea how to sum it up!
I agree that this was a very powerful book, and Stead managed to explore a variety of elements through her likeable protagonist. I was especially impressed with how Stead managed to weave relatable experiences, such as working through friendships, crushes, familial relationships and class issues, fairly seamlessly with the underlying mystery of who is leaving the main character notes throughout the story and how they know things that seem impossible.
I especially appreciated the added detail of the main character's near obesession with L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time. I think it is testament to Stead's storytelling skills that, in a story that deals with alternative concepts of time and space, the main character's focus on the book didn't feel contrived. Instead, it lent insight into her character, and also made the unfolding plot all the more understandable.
Very unique, multifaceted, enjoyable read with clear, believable characters.
Rating: 5.0 out of 5.0
What I found most interesting was Stead's ability to explain very complex ideas in an understandable way. Many a novel has tried to present the time/space continuum and how people can be in multiple times and places simultaneously.
The character development was flawless, and I couldn't really tell who the time traveler was.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
This just jumped to the top my "Best of the Year" list! Amazing! I was so impressed by the way the book defied categorization. I kept thinking, it's historical fiction...no, it's science fiction...no, it's a mystery...no, it's everyday life. Really, it succeeds at blending all these genres into one great story.
Read this book!!! It is such a good story that I never wanted it to end. I liked how the author was so discriptive of the book. I loved it.
This is a very confusing book. But that does not mean it is a bad book. It is a very good book once again one of the best I have ever read. You just have to go over it again to understand it. I found it very very esciting. I would read it again in a heartbeat.