When You Reach Me ~Rebecca Stead
–published 2009
–Listening Library, unabridged audio (4 hours, 20 minutes)
–book: Wendy Lamb Books (208 pages)
–2010 Newbery Medal Winner
–4.25/5 stars
The year is 1979; Dick Clark’s $20,000 Pyramid is captivating viewers; a sense of innocence is in the air; and 6th grade Manhattan native Miranda, a latch-key child of a single mother, sees her days revolve around a special book and spending time with her friend Sal. A series of seemingly random events, accompanied by enigmatic notes left in peculiar places, seem to indicate that something bad is going to happen and that this unknown scribe may be her only hope.
Rebecca Stead’s novel is a rare exception among the many young adult books I have read lately, in that the protagonist actually feels like the twelve year old girl she is written to be, and yet her story is equally captivating for adults as well as younger children. Miranda tells the story of that fateful 6th grade year from the perspective of having passed through the events, reminiscing to her mysterious note writer about the events that have transpired.
Around the middle of September I was blog hopping and came across this joint review by Jody and Deanna of Rebecca Stead’s Newbery Medal winning novel, When You Reach Me. Intrigued by their thoughts on it I checked my local library system and found that they had it available on audio. I was looking for something short to cleanse my palate after my previous lengthy audio book experience and this sounded like it would be just right.
Cynthia Holloway captures the spirit of Miranda so perfectly, making the unfolding of this tale a delightful experience for the listener. I grew up in the 70’s. I would have been 10 years old at the time this story is set, and I have vivid memories of watching $20,000 Pyramid with my parents, of walking to and from school with friends, and of being passionately devoted to a few very special books. Despite being of a different sex, growing up with both parents, and not living in a bustling city, my pre-adolescent self could easily identify with Miranda as she related the events of that year. Stead captured the voice of this age so perfectly, in my opinion. I alluded to the exceptional quality of this story earlier, and while that experience may be solely my own (I don’t read a lot of young adult books), I did sense a real difference between this story and recent books featuring similarly aged characters that I have read that reside in the adult section of bookstores. One type isn’t better than the other, these stories have all been great, but there was something eye-opening for me as I listened to a story that really felt like it was being told by a twelve year old child.
Although I knew that there were some science fictional elements to the story, and those are hinted strongly at fairly early in the story, I found myself pleasantly surprised by the directions this story took. The book is filled with a handful of interesting characters whose lives intersect brilliantly as the novel comes to its heart-tugging close. Miranda frequently references a novel she refers to as “her book”, and while reviews come out and tell you what book that is, I thankfully had not caught that and despite having read “her book” myself, it wasn’t until much later in the story that it actually dawned on me what book she was talking about. That passion for a specific work of fiction certainly struck a cord with me as I am sure it would with many readers.
Those of us who remember the 1970’s well will find ourselves time-traveling back to those days because of the subtle references Stead weaves into the story. There is an authenticity to this tale both in the setting and the story being told that ultimately ensures that nothing about this story feels implausible. When You Reach Me couldn’t have reached me at a more perfect time. It was a quick “read” that was engaging, heart-warming, and interesting from start to finish. It is well worth adding to your to be read pile.
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This book is a selection for:
The 2010 Support Your Local Library Challenge
and
The 2010 Reading Challenge, Bad Blogger’s Category (blaming Ibeeg and Jody)
and
No grade this time? I read a very strong review of this one a couple of months ago, now yours is the 2nd one. Another one for the “when I’m settled” list. It’s getting long already. Yikes.
Richard: Oops, just an error on my part. I typed the opening stats in a draft right after finishing this mid-September and didn’t even look at that part again when it came time to post. I imagine your “when I’m settled” list is going to be ENORMOUS! 🙂
Fantastic review Carl. You have a great way with words, giving a good understanding as to what intrigued you with this story. For me, the brilliance of this story is how there is a great amount of depth in a seemingly simple story. How things are worked out simply boggles my mind, and had me pondering the complexities of all that occurred.
I appreciate when a character comes off as the age the author states the character to be. Far too often, I feel like the characters are far more mature beyond their chronological years.
By the rating you gave, you did not love this book like we did, but I am glad that you liked it as well as you did. Coming from the perspective of children reading this story, I think this is one fabulous mind-stretching read for them while still keeping it simple. It always amazes me when an author can set a story arc into place, weave in intricacies that make sense and stay on track. Lots of editing, I am sure, but I bet there is a huge potential via editing to loose the overall essence and drive of a story.
Thanks for mentioning Jody and I in your post. 🙂
sounds interesting! ’79…i would have been 16 that summer and was working for the Youth Conservation Corp. in the Arkansas State Parks Service. I remember that summer well.
Richard’s “when i’m settled list” is surely going to be the size of a small town’s entire library! ^_^
sgist: That sounds like a fun and interesting job! And I tend to agree with you about Richard’s list.
Ibeeg: You’re welcome. I’m glad you both reviewed it otherwise I may not have ever had it on my radar.
I’m not sure I would say I did’t “love it”, I found it very touching and it surprised me in a lot of ways. I think I’m probably comparing it to The Weed That Strings the Hangman’s Bag and The Vanishing of Katharina Linden, both of which I like a little better. Still, this is an excellent book. I agree with you, there is a lot of depth here. It isn’t surprising to me at all that it won the Newbery.
I hope the list won’t be THAT big, I’m going to have to buy a few other things, like some furniture, all that book shelf additions, groceries…
Richard: I’ll quote Erasmus here:
“When I get a little money I buy books; and if any is left I buy food and clothes.”
Carl – That is a great quote. I bet many a bibliophile have that exact sentiment.
I have a bookmark with that one on it.
I know so many people love this book but I just couldn’t get into it when I tried it. Instead, I gave it to my boys and they loved it instead…
This one has been on my Wishlist for awhile but recently I have seen great reviews like yours that reminded me why I want to read this. Going back to the 70’s from a book will be a wonderful memory.
Marce: It was, I hope you enjoy it.
Amanda: I’m not sure I would have been as engaged early on if it weren’t on audio. I’ve read other reviews where people thought it was slow going at first, but it really does get better and better and more complex as the story goes on. Glad to hear that the boys enjoyed it.
Richard, Ibeeg: I think it is a saying that is awful close to the truth for many of us.
I listened to this on audio earlier this year. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. It’s one of my favorite reads!
I am definitely intrigued by this book of which I’ve read several reviews. The setting and time frame remind me so much of my own childhood. I wasn’t a latch-key kid but several of my friends were & your opening paragraph reminded me of my grade school days immediately. Your review answers one question I had regarding whether the protaganist seems like the child she is supposed to be because I have read several YA books in which the child protaganist reads much older than her years.
I’m going to try to read this book soon!
Thank you!
~ Amy
Amy: I am pleased that I came across the review and decided to give it a try. It also worked out great that it was at my library on audio as I probably wouldn’t have worked it into my reading rotation so quickly otherwise. This is a good one.
Vasilly: Glad to hear that you enjoyed it as well. It was a really nice audio recording.
my parents bought me a t-shirt at a Salvation Army somewhere in Texas with that quote on it, they said it screamed my name at them. ^_^
sgist: Sounds like a great shirt!
Hi Carl,
I haven’t been by in ages… since completing the Once Upon a Time IV challenge perhaps, but was so delighted when I scrolled down your posts to see that you read and reviewed this book. I read it earlier this year and thoroughly enjoyed it. Actually, my 11 year old daughter also read it and I think I enjoyed it even more than she! I was pleasantly surprised of the very touching … if not sentimental ending.
Great review!