I was *really* trying to be good and wait for this book to become available at the library. But then I read about 18 amazing reviews and, when I saw it again at Strand, it was just sitting there waiting for me to buy it and read it. So I did. And my instincts were right – it’s the sort of book I wanted to own anyway, even if I had read a library copy.
To say too much about this little amazing book would be to give away many of the surprises that are so delightful to discover as you’re reading it.
But, if you’re interested, here are a few little facts about it:
-The main character, Miranda, loves the book A Wrinkle in Time. She has read it many times and carries around her well-worn paperback copy everywhere.
-There are plenty of sandwiches in this book.
-The show “The $20,000 Pyramid” is in this book.
One of the things I like best about When You Reach Me is that none of the characters are so quirky that they become unreal and unbelievable. I do like my fair share of quirky characters in literature, but it’s refreshing to read about a group of kids who are all lovable characters and also seem incredibly real – very familiar and reminiscent of people I’ve known.
Here is my absolute favorite passage from the book:
Mom closes her eyes, and I know that she is lifting a corner of her veil. She nods, and we begin.
Mom says each of us has a veil between ourselves and the rest of the world, like a bride wears on her wedding day, except this kind of veil is invisible. We walk around happily with these invisible veils hanging down over our faces. The world is kind of blurry, and we like it that way.
But sometimes our veils are pushed away for a few moments, like there’s a wind blowing it from our faces. And when the veil lifts, we can see the world as it really is, just for those few seconds before it settles down again. We see all the beauty, and cruelty, and sadness, and love. But mostly we are happy not to. Some people learn to lift the veil themselves. Then they don’t have to depend on the wind anymore.”
And here is one of the funniest quotes:
This should be good, I thought. Julia is going to explain the nature of time.”
Anyway – It all comes down to the fact that this book is fabulous. I want to buy a copy for everyone I know. I’m rooting for it to win the Newbery next year.
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