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A Wind in the Door
- By Madeleine L'Engle
- Genre: Science Fiction
Common Sense Media says
Classic science fiction with timeless appeal.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that the highly original plot and memorable characters appeal to a wide group of readers. The vocabulary and ideas are inventive, and the story promotes the importance of loving relationships. While some of the science is made up, the trip inside Charles Wallace's body is a mini-lesson in cell biology.
What's the story?
Unusual things happen in high school freshman Meg Murry's family. Her parents are famous scientists, and her six-year-old brother, Charles Wallace, is a genius. But Charles Wallace has been mysteriously ill, and when he tells Meg there are dragons in the garden, she worries that he is fantasizing.
Then she sees the fantastic creature, actually a "singular cherubim." It has been sent by a wise, humanlike Teacher to help Meg in a quest to heal Charles Wallace. Also accompanying her will be her friend, Calvin O'Keefe, and her archenemy, Mr. Jenkins, the dour principal of Charles Wallace's school.
The travelers journey from a faraway galaxy to inside Charles Wallace's body, where a cosmic battle is taking place. By kything--communicating without words--and learning the importance of Naming (loving) her enemies, Meg saves her brother with the help of both Calvin and the surprisingly lovable Mr. Jenkins.
Is it any good?
This is the second of Madeleine L'Engle's Chronos Quartet novels featuring the Murry family and their journeys through time and space. With believable characters and a suspenseful plot, it is arguably the best of the sequels to the classic A Wrinkle in Time. In some books in the Quartet, the hypersensitive, loving, and gifted Murry children speak and act like people much older or younger than their given years. Here they face enough real-kid problems, such as Charles Wallace's torment at the hands of school bullies, to seem real.
The three trials Meg must pass are interpersonal; her ability to communicate love is tested. Some scenes are long on dialogue and short on action; "too many talky scenes" was one 12-year-old's only negative comment. Yet there are enough surprises to sustain the suspense, and the ideas that drive the scenes are interesting. This is a rewarding book with generous helpings of the L'Engle magic.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the complexity of relationships. How do you think you would fare with the tests Meg faces?
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AGE
Amazing!
This book is an awesome book for anyone who likes science fiction or fantasy books, or anyone who is willing to read something. just make sure you read a Wrinkle in Time first! Or else it will be really confusing.
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AGE
A great follow up to A Wrinkle in Time
If you liked a wrinkle in time, there is no doubt in my mind that you should read this book. Full of adventure and excitement, you should continue to just read the whole series!
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AGE
my review
It is a really good book for anybody including adults
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AGE
Meh...okay.
I kind of enjoyed this book, but A Wrinkle In Time is much, much better! A Wind In The Door had left me guessing till the end as a positive side, but I decided not to continue the series as a downer.
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Kid, 12 years old
July 25, 2010
AGE
Amazing Book!
Madeleine L'Engle has done it again. This is simply amazing. You will only put the book down after you've finished it. There's some violence (Battles and everything) but there isn't anything that an eight year old can't handle. (Except some complicated wording.) But please,read A Wrinkle in Time first.
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AGE
No Bad language but bad book HATED IT!
I hated this book it was very confusing and I wish I would have choosen a different book to read but I had already started a book report on it.
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| Author: | Madeleine L'Engle |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Science Fiction |
| Publisher: | Yearling Books |
| Publication date: | January 1, 1976 |
| Number of pages: | 240 |
| Paperback price: | $6.50 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 9 - 12 |
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