 First edition cover | |
| Author | Rebecca Stead |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Sophie Blackall |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Young Adult, Science fiction and mystery |
| Publisher | Wendy Lamb Books |
Publication date | July 14, 2009 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (hardcover) |
| Pages | 208 pp |
| ISBN | 978-0-385-73742-5 |
| LC Class | PZ7.S80857 WH 2009 |
When You Reach Me is a Newbery Medal-winning science fiction and mystery novel by Rebecca Stead, published in 2009. It takes place on the Upper West Side of New York during 1978 and 1979 and follows a sixth-grade girl named Miranda Sinclair. After Miranda finds a strange note, which is unsigned and addressed only to "M," in her school library book, a mystery is set into motion—one which Miranda ultimately must face alone. At the same time, Miranda juggles school, relationships with her peers, and helping her mom prepare for an upcoming appearance on The $20,000 Pyramid, a popular game show hosted by Dick Clark. Important characters in the story include Miranda's mother; Richard, her mom's good-natured boyfriend; Sal, Miranda's childhood best friend; and a homeless man who lives on Miranda's block and is referred to only as "the laughing man." Central themes in the novel include independence, redemption, and friendship.
When You Reach Me was inspired by a story Stead read about a man suffering from amnesia, by parts of her childhood, and by her favourite book as a kid, A Wrinkle in Time. After completing much of the novel, Stead gave the draft to her editor, Wendy Lamb. Together, they expanded on the initial concepts and published When You Reach Me on July 14, 2009, under Wendy Lamb Books, an imprint of Random House. The book was well received by critics, who praised its realistic setting and the author's deft handling of small details. The novel reached the best-seller lists of The New York Times, Los Angeles Times and USA Today. In addition to receiving the 2010 Newbery Medal, When You Reach Me won several Best Book of the Year awards.