Back in the summer, I read When You Reach Me for both a first and second time. It absolutely knocked my socks off both times.
Because it is getting so much "buzz" with regard to the Newbery, and because I wanted to pick a great book for my class read aloud coming back from holiday break, what better book than When You Reach Me?! Just to triple check myself, though, I reread it for a third time yesterday. I am amazed that even in a 3rd read, this book just continues to both surprise and delight.
In the review I posted this summer, Mary Lee (A Year of Reading) posted a comment about how great the chapter titles were as well. She said they would make great writing prompts. Better yet, since I missed the connection the first two times, is how well the titles correlate with an important strand in the story. I don't know how Rebecca Stead managed to tie up all the story strands by the end of the book. She is truly a gifted author.
Other accolades for When You Reach Me:
1) It is on the Mock Newbery list for the Allen County Library.
2) It made five of the "best of the year" lists (thanks to Jonathan Hunt at Heavy Medal for this post).
3) Out of 6 possible review journals, it received stars in 5 of them (thanks to Shelftalker for the 2009 Starred Books Wrap-Up).
4) It made Fuse #8's mid-year Newbery prediction list.
I truly believe that When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead is a book worthy of the Newbery award. Fingers crossed until January 18!!
I couldn't agree with you more. I've gone through this one 6 times now and I can't find a single negative thing to say about it. In fact the book gets better with each successive rereading. I really think this is 'all time classic' good.
ReplyDeleteThanks you just solved my problem for my January read aloud!! Thanks for thinking for me AGAIN :)maria
ReplyDeleteEric - It sounds like we are in agreement about how wonderful this book is! Amazing!
ReplyDeleteMaria - So glad to hear you're going to try this as your read aloud. How exciting would it be to be reading aloud a potential Newbery winner?!
I absolutely loved this book too. Your re-reads have inspired me! I've just started First Light, and enjoying that too, though it's not as brilliant as When You Reach Me. I do hope she wins.
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