Rebecca Stead
2010
Winner of the Newbery Medal (2010), When You Reach Me is the story of 6th grader Miranda and her best friend Sal. The story has three different plot lines. The first is the upcoming appearance of Miranda's mom on the game show The $20,000 Pyramid. This story dominates the focus of most of the adult characters, leaving Miranda focused on the fact that Sal hasn't talked to her since he was punched by a kid in the street for no reason. Oh, and the notes someone keeps leaving for her, telling her about things that happen in her life before they've happened! The first one was the most mysterious; whoever wrote it said they were coming to save her friend's life and their own, and said they needed her to write a letter about events that haven't happened (once they do happen) and also make sure to mention where her spare house key is. Throughout the book, I really liked the detail Stead gave of Miranda's NYC neighborhood (heavily based on her own childhood in NYC), how well all of the young characters played off of each other (they act like real kids!), and of course the time travelling "Notes of Doom" telling Miranda that she can save someone's life just by writing. And who hasn't wanted to be able to write that well?!
Find it at the library with the call number JF Stea.R.
Peter
Librarian
Naylor Memorial Library
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