When You Reach Me

When You Reach Me. Rebecca Stead. New York: Listening Library, 2009. 4.5 hours Running Time. (PLAYAWAY) ISBN 978-161657904-3. Grades 5-8.

My Thougts/Reminds Me Of…

Before I start talking about When You Reach Me I have to make a couple of confessions. First, although I have learned about and talked about Playaways in classes for almost a year, I had never actually seen or used one. This makes me kind of lame, but on the upside, I now have. I really enjoyed it. My second confession is that I disregarded the note on my reading list to read When You Reach Me directly after reading A Wrinkle in Time. I actually started listening to When You Reach Me an hour or so before I started A Wrinkle in Time, so when I read the first line of the latter book I slapped my head and said D’oh no wonder I should read it first. Fortunately I managed to get to all the parts of A Wrinkle in Time before they were revealed or explained to me in When You Reach Me. I think kind of reading them at the same time worked out because I was able to make other connections and understand the concept of time travelling more easily.

That being said anyone who loved A Wrinkle in Time would also enjoy When You Reach Me, because after all, they are almost related and of course they reminded me of each other. I was also reminded of Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly, since there is an aspect of time travelling and science fiction here as well. Unlike the other two books, however, Revolution is more appropriate for an older audience. I do think that if readers of these books have seen the Back to the Future films they would enjoy them. Of course, this would only be because they really like time travel, even if it is hokier and less scientific in these films. I have heard (from my cousin who loves this kind of thing) that there are tons of time travel themed books out there, but since I haven’t read any more I cannot list any more. I have no doubt, however, that there is a wealth of reading for those who enjoyed this title.

I do want to talk briefly about what I really enjoyed about this book. I loved that it can appeal to both boys and girls. Like L’engle, Stead made sure that there was enough mystery, action, and varying plot to keep anyone interested. I also loved how the chapters were short and themed like the 20,000 Pyramid. I think this not only kept my attention, but it also had me thinking like I was playing the game. Another great thing about this book is that it takes place in 1978 but doesn’t seem dated at all. I forgot that it wasn’t taking place today. I think it was super relatable, which will make readers enjoy it all the more. I think this book gives the reader a chance to think and learn and understand what is going on with Miranda, unlike in A Wrinkle in Time where there isn’t a whole lot of explanation going on. Although I listened to this book, I have a feeling I would enjoy reading it just as much. I think I would have read it more quickly than I listened to it, but the playaway was the only copy I could find. Anyway, it was a great book!