Common Sense Media Review
Perfectly voiced, mysterious sci-fi coming-of-age tale.
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Why Age 9+?
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Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 17 parent reviews
Parents say this book offers an engaging blend of mystery, character growth, and feel-good moments that resonate well with both children and adults. While it features suspenseful and thought-provoking themes, some content may challenge younger readers, including a few intense scenes and discussions that could be complex for them to follow.
- mystery elements
- character growth
- engaging themes
- adult appeal
- age-appropriate challenges
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 57 kid reviews
Kids say this book is a captivating blend of mystery and time travel, praised for its relatable characters and thought-provoking themes. While many found the plot engaging and beautifully written, some noted it can be confusing for younger readers and recommended prior reading of certain works to enhance understanding.
- time travel elements
- relatable characters
- age-appropriate
- complex plot
- suspenseful twists
- encourages re-reading
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Twelve-year-old Miranda has enough to worry about: her best friend, who suddenly refuses to hang out together; a boy she might kind of like; the homeless guy on the corner near her New York City apartment; and her single mom, an aspiring game show contestant. But now Miranda is getting creepy hidden notes that tell her to write down the story of what happens to her -- but not inform anyone. It will take a tragedy to show Miranda that neither the notes nor her friendships are quite what she imagined.
Is It Any Good?
WHEN YOU REACH ME won the 2010 Newbery Medal, and offers an exciting, twisty plot that plays with the time-space continuum. It's hard to call it sci-fi, however, since the main focus is Miranda's perfectly voiced, first-person account of negotiating friendships and family dynamics on the cusp of adolescence. Young readers will relate to Miranda's gradual, sometimes painful self-awareness, though they might find its 1979 setting quaint as characters actually talk to each other (rather than text or IM).
With its mystery hook, this is one of those well-written books that should appeal to both librarians AND kids.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what role the game show The $20,000 Pyramid plays in the book. Why did the author choose that game show in particular? What does it mean that chapters have such titles as "Things You Keep Secret"?
Miranda says watching after-school TV is "a birthright of every latchkey child." Do you think that is true?
Why is A Wrinkle in Time Miranda's favorite book? If kids have read it already, did they like it or When You Reach Me better?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Mystery
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Wendy Lamb
- Publication date : July 14, 2009
- Number of pages : 200
- Award : Newbery Medal and Honors
- Last updated : February 19, 2026
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