When You Reach Me (2009)

By: Rebecca Stead

The time…

1978The place…

Manhattan, NY

Meet Miranda…

Using her favorite book as her guide,

…Miranda begins to discover a series of clues

Book,

Bag,

…Pocket

…Shoe

Followed by a series of mysterious letters…

M,  This is hard. Harder than I expected, even with your help. But I have been practicing, and my preparations go well. I am coming to save your friend’s life, and my own.  I ask two favors. First, you must write me a letter. Second, please remember to mention the location of your house key.  The trip is a difficult one. I will not be myself when I reach you.

Miranda,  Your letter must tell a story—a true story. You cannot begin now, as most of it has not yet taken place. And even afterward, there is no hurry. But do not wait so long that your memory fades. I require as much detail as you can provide. The trip is a difficult one, and I must ask my favors while my mind is sound.  A postscript: I know you have shared my first note. I ask you not to share the others. Please. I do not ask this for myself.    

 You will want proof.3 p.m. today: Colin’s knapsack.Christmas Day: Tesser well.April 27th: Studio TV-15.

P.S. Yawns do serve a purpose. They cool the brain by bringing air high into the nasal passage, which has the effect of increasing alertness.

This is the story I need you to tell. This and everything that has led up to it.

Please deliver your letter by hand. You know where to find me.

My apologies for the terse instructions. The trip is a difficult one; I can carry nothing, and a man can only hold so much paper in his mouth.

What can this all mean?

Her once familiar city streets…

…soon become pieces of an intricate puzzle

That she must decode in order to save a life.

So, are you hooked?!

Book Stats• What is the title?–When You Reach Me

• When was it published?– 2009

• Who is the target audience?– This book is recommended for students

in grades 6 and up

An Award Winner!

• New York Times Best Seller

• 2010 Newbery Medal

• 2010 Boston Globe/Horn Book Award for Fiction

About the Author• Rebecca Stead

– Grew up in NYC—just like Miranda!

– Her favorite book was also A Wrinkle in Time• She even got to meet the

author, Madeleine L'Engle– She wanted to tell a

story about what life was like as an kid living in a big city like Manhattan in the 70s and early 80s

Now that you’re hooked, follow Miranda on her journey!