When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

2010 Newbery winner

Sixth-grader Miranda lives in New York City in 1978 with her mother, and her life compasses Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time. She has read it so many times she can quote it. Life seems so perfect as she and her best friend, Sal, know how to navigate their New York City neighborhood. They know where it's safe to go, like the local grocery store, and they know whom to avoid, like the crazy guy on the corner. But then things start to unravel. Sal gets punched by a new kid for what seems like no reason, and he shuts Miranda out of his life. The apartment key that Miranda's mom keeps hidden for emergencies is stolen.

And then Miranda finds a mysterious notes scrawled on a tiny slips of paper and Miranda slowly realizes that whoever is leaving them knows all about her, including things that have not even happened yet. Each message brings her closer to believing that only she can prevent a tragic death. Until the final note makes her think she's too late.

Each chapter starts with a theme from the 20,000 pyramid game "things that start with..... or things that ............." which coinside with Miranda's mother who is practicing to be on the show. Plus the theme gives you a clue of what the chapter will be about.

This book is the 2010 Newbery so of course I have to read it. But honestly I wasn't sure what to think at first but then the book hooked me and I really enjoyed it. I loved the tie in with Wrinkle in Time which is one of my favorite books when I was in 6th Grade. I did find it interesting that she only read that one book and not the sequel which by 1978 was out.