when you reach me by rebecca stead summary

Miranda notices that he always utters the words 'book bag pocket shoe.' She later realizes the phrase refers to the order and place he will send Miranda notes-her library book, a bread bag, her coat pocket and Richard's shoe. She calls him the 'laughing man' for his tendency to laugh without cause. Miranda's best friend Sal, whom she has known since she was a small child, had recently started ignoring Miranda after he had been punched in the stomach by another boy named Marcus.Ī homeless man lives on the corner of Miranda's street. She lives with her single mother who has a kindhearted boyfriend, Richard. When You Reach Me follows a sixth-grade protagonist, a girl named Miranda. Second, please remember to mention the location of your house key. In addition to receiving the 2010 Newbery Medal, When You Reach Me won several Best Book of the Year awards. The novel has reached the best-seller lists of The New York Times, Los Angeles Times and USA Today. The book was well received by critics, who praised its realistic setting and the author's deft handling of small details.

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. After completing much of the novel, Stead gave the draft to her editor, Wendy Lamb, who liked it. When You Reach Me was inspired by a man suffering from amnesia, and by parts of her childhood and her favorite book, A Wrinkle in Time.

The author hoped to show her children what New York was like in her childhood, and demonstrate how in an earlier time children were more independent. Stead also wanted to demonstrate the possibilities that she saw in time travel. Central themes in the novel include independence, redemption and friendship.

The novel contains three story lines - the appearance of Miranda's mom on the game show, The $20,000 Pyramid, Miranda's best friend Sal suddenly not talking with Miranda, and the appearance of a laughing man. As the novel progresses, Miranda receives three more notes with requests. She receives a strange note asking her to record future events and write down to the location of her spare key. It takes place on the Upper West Side of New York during 19 and follows the protagonist, Miranda Sinclair. When You Reach Me is a Newbery Medal-winning science fiction and mystery novel by Rebecca Stead, published in 2009.

When you reach me by rebecca stead summary