tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post7215760672666565119..comments2023-11-03T06:20:06.604-05:00Comments on Lesa's Book Critiques: When You Reach Me by Rebecca SteadLesahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12946133849271512083noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-38267213021117969712010-03-11T16:35:43.152-06:002010-03-11T16:35:43.152-06:00I think you're right, Sheila. As you said, Aa...I think you're right, Sheila. As you said, Aaron's comments seem to indicate I would get much more out of it a second time around.Lesahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12946133849271512083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-34835243547163214192010-03-11T13:52:23.043-06:002010-03-11T13:52:23.043-06:00I'd already heard from several people that thi...I'd already heard from several people that this book improves on rereading, and after reading Aaron's thoughtful insights, I can really see why it would be well worth reading a second time.Sheila Beaumonthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10298066921074730854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-43314669127071265902010-03-11T06:23:19.930-06:002010-03-11T06:23:19.930-06:00Thank you, Adam. Excellent summary of the book. ...Thank you, Adam. Excellent summary of the book. I didn't do as thorough a job reading it as I should have, and I should go back sometime and reread it. For example, I missed the chapter headings until I had almost finished the book, so I missed an important element. And, that's my fault, not the book's. I just missed it.Lesahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12946133849271512083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-31369856665621627662010-03-10T23:48:13.042-06:002010-03-10T23:48:13.042-06:00Here's what I love about this book. First, of...Here's what I love about this book. First, of course, the compelling mystery. Stead gives the mystery depth beyond the mere content of the notes by lacing the book with the science fiction theme of time travel. The most obvious way this theme shows up is in conversations Miranda has with certain friends—in particular Marcus, a math and physics prodigy who thinks time travel is theoretically possible. However, time travel is also woven into the book via Miranda’s attachment to Madeleine L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time (the only book Miranda reads), a book in which the protagonist, Meg, travels through time to save her family members.<br /><br />Second, I love Stead's focus on the theme of friendship. Specifically, the novel addresses the question of how to hold on to old friendships without stifling them, and it insightfully brings out the stabilizing effect that new friendships can have in the effort to preserve or reclaim old ones. I'm holding back here in order not to spoil the plot, but suffice to say that the novel’s narrative reflections on friendship are extremely thoughtful and resonant. This theme of friendship will speak deeply to tweens navigating the frequently tumultuous social world of middle school.<br /><br />Finally, the book is also just very clever. For example, Miranda’s mother wants to win on The $20,000 Pyramid. The final part of the game show is called the “Winner’s Circle”, in which a set of objects is described to the contestant and she is required to say what category the objects belong to. So, if the objects were “a tube of toothpaste, someone’s hand” the contestant would say “things you squeeze”. Stead cleverly titles most of the chapters in the book with categories like that, such as “Things You Keep in a Box,” “Things That Go Missing,” and “Things You Hide.” And sure enough, Stead puts objects in each chapter that fit into these titular categories. After a while, it became a fun extra game to find what the “things that smell” or “things that kick” were in the chapter I was reading!Aaron Meadhttp://www.childrensbooksandreviews.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-83918186194421784492010-02-24T21:42:51.200-06:002010-02-24T21:42:51.200-06:00Thanks, Sheila. So, I'm not the only one. I ...Thanks, Sheila. So, I'm not the only one. I haven't read "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" yet. Had it home, and had to take it back. I'll have to try it.Lesahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12946133849271512083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-89661714400189594042010-02-24T21:42:02.797-06:002010-02-24T21:42:02.797-06:00I'm afraid it is considered historical because...I'm afraid it is considered historical because of that date. Sorry, Kris. (grin) How do you think I feel? I graduated from undergrad in 1978.Lesahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12946133849271512083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-54912381107930267282010-02-24T17:35:27.699-06:002010-02-24T17:35:27.699-06:00"A Wrinkle in Time" is a big favorite of..."A Wrinkle in Time" is a big favorite of mine. As for "When You Reach Me," I enjoyed it, but I thought "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" was even better, and I would have given it the Newbery if it were up to me. I have heard from several people that "When You Reach Me" is better on second reading.Sheila Beaumonthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10298066921074730854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-87232986243626763902010-02-24T14:26:26.637-06:002010-02-24T14:26:26.637-06:00Yikes! Is it considered historical because it'...Yikes! Is it considered historical because it's the year 1978? That's the year I was born..now I feel ancient! <br /><br />Sounds like an interesting read. I haven't heard anything about this one yet, I'll have to check it out next time I'm at the bookstore.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17182023445485838169noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-33790824575206723302010-02-24T13:46:40.035-06:002010-02-24T13:46:40.035-06:00Kathy,
I'll be interested to see what you thi...Kathy,<br /><br />I'll be interested to see what you think.Lesahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12946133849271512083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-81132967413184616702010-02-24T13:45:57.007-06:002010-02-24T13:45:57.007-06:00I liked it, too, Kay. It just didn't grab me ...I liked it, too, Kay. It just didn't grab me as much as I had hoped.Lesahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12946133849271512083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-89360775696588972312010-02-24T11:47:10.210-06:002010-02-24T11:47:10.210-06:00I haven't read this one, but I've heard a ...I haven't read this one, but I've heard a lot about it. I think I need to give it a try.bermudaonionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10726401178972099557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-14875696616609670222010-02-24T08:01:29.332-06:002010-02-24T08:01:29.332-06:00I read this one some months ago and thought it was...I read this one some months ago and thought it was quite clever. I remember telling one of our children's librarians about it. I think I liked the fact that it was about something other than vampires, ghosts or fairies, not that I don't love all of those. Anyway, I won't comment about the Newbery question, but I liked it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-68772256997929416672010-02-24T05:39:56.663-06:002010-02-24T05:39:56.663-06:00I totally agree with you about "A Wrinkle in ...I totally agree with you about "A Wrinkle in Time," Elizabeth. And, I have that treasured autograph by Madeleine L'Engle in my copy of the book!Lesahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12946133849271512083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995206.post-78802944865775100242010-02-24T05:03:29.051-06:002010-02-24T05:03:29.051-06:00It sounds like it has a lot going on in it!
And.....It sounds like it has a lot going on in it!<br /><br />And...nothing is as wonderful as "A Wrinkle in Time!" That was a life-changing, 4th grade read for me.<br /><br />Elizabeth<br /><a href="http://mysterywritingismurder.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow"> Mystery Writing is Murder</a>Elizabeth Spann Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15625595247828274405noreply@blogger.com