Unabridged version: 5
cds
Single reader: Cynthia Holloway
Single reader: Cynthia Holloway
Sound quality: Very
clear reading with appropriate volume.
There is no background noise or static.
Reading: Holloway uses multiple voices for multiple characters, but remains consistent throughout the reading.
Reading: Holloway uses multiple voices for multiple characters, but remains consistent throughout the reading.
Listening: The
listening experience was engaging and interesting. The reading remained
enjoyable from the beginning to the end, with no lulls in between.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Stead, Rebecca. 2010.WHEN YOU REACH ME. New York: Yearling. ISBN 978-0375850868.
Stead, Rebecca. 2010.WHEN YOU REACH ME. New York: Yearling. ISBN 978-0375850868.
PLOT SUMMARY
Miranda is a sixth-grader whose life has
suddenly become very confusing. Her best friend doesn’t want to see her after
he is attacked on the street, and then these notes start showing up. Each note
is more confusing than the last, and as Miranda starts to figure things out,
she still can’t understand what’s happening. All she knows is that if things
work out correctly, two lives will be saved.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The novel describes life in 1979 New York in such a way that readers can easily imagine the surroundings. In the same way, Miranda’s words and her take on life is like eavesdropping on a conversation. You’re not involved, but you feel like you are. Miranda’s conflicts are reminiscent of friendships in middle school, allowing readers to connect to her and the challenges life presents. And behind it all, a bizarre mystery is unfolding. The reader has the pleasure to have just as many clues as Miranda, which makes the ending truly an eye-opening surprise.The audio version provided a feeling of ‘a good friend telling a story’ whereas the text version felt a bit less personal. A combination of audio and text would allow the greatest connection to the story.
The novel describes life in 1979 New York in such a way that readers can easily imagine the surroundings. In the same way, Miranda’s words and her take on life is like eavesdropping on a conversation. You’re not involved, but you feel like you are. Miranda’s conflicts are reminiscent of friendships in middle school, allowing readers to connect to her and the challenges life presents. And behind it all, a bizarre mystery is unfolding. The reader has the pleasure to have just as many clues as Miranda, which makes the ending truly an eye-opening surprise.The audio version provided a feeling of ‘a good friend telling a story’ whereas the text version felt a bit less personal. A combination of audio and text would allow the greatest connection to the story.
REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Newbery Medal winner
Publishers Weekly Best Children’s Books
Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Fiction
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “This unusual,
thought-provoking mystery will appeal to several types of readers.
BOOKLIST: “The '70s New York setting is an honest reverberation of the era; the mental gymnastics required of readers are invigorating; and the characters, children and adults, are honest bits of humanity no matter in what place or time their souls rest.”
BOOKLIST: “The '70s New York setting is an honest reverberation of the era; the mental gymnastics required of readers are invigorating; and the characters, children and adults, are honest bits of humanity no matter in what place or time their souls rest.”
CONNECTIONS
Readers would be interested in reading the
book Miranda was obsessed with:
L’Engle, Madeline. A WRINKLE IN TIME. ISBN 978-0374386160
Other Rebecca Stead books:
Stead, Rebecca. FIRST LIGHT. ISBN 978-0440422228
Stead, Rebecca. LIAR & SPY. ISBN 978-0385737432
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