Parents' Guide to

When You Reach Me

By Stephanie Dunnewind, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 9+

Perfectly voiced, mysterious sci-fi coming-of-age tale.

Book Rebecca Stead Mystery 2009
When You Reach Me Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 10+

Based on 17 parent reviews

Tdekk0811
Tdekk0811 Parent of 9 and 13-year-old
June 10, 2021
age 9+

This was a GREAT STORY!

Most of the time I don't read this genre of books, but "When you Reach me" was recommended by a friend and it did not disappoint. It had a lot of feel-good moments and a mystery that has clues thrown in EVERYWHERE, while still having an unexpected twist. I also loved the character growth that Miranda goes through. I say ages 9+ because there is a few conversations that could be potentially hard to follow, and there is a death at the end that me seem disturbing. 4.5 stars!!
Rochya H.
Rochya H. Adult
January 1, 2021
age 8+

Best. Kid's book. Ever

This book is amazing! I'm a teacher and I reccomend it to soooo many students. It can be a bit scary... but you aren't going to learn to be brave if your parents are always shielding you. They say "hell" twice, and there is a few kisses between sixth graders. Nothing more. Awesome book even adults will enjoy and it will leave you thinking til the end.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
See all 17 parent reviews

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?

Our review:
Parents say (17):
Kids say (59):

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

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