Saturday, July 11, 2015

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

http://www.amazon.com/When-You-Reach-Yearling-Newbery
When You Reach Me is about a girl named Miranda, who begins to receive notes from an unknown person leaving her clues about what she needs to do, and things she needs to record. The whole story I was confused. You do not know who is sending the notes. The person knows things that nobody should know. Miranda is confused, and trying to figure out how to prevent this bad thing the notes are talking about from happening. I thought the worst when these notes started coming, but man is there a twist. I did not see this coming until I was in the last few chapters of the book.

When You Reach Me could be used in 5th grade and above.

The book starts in the middle of the events coming to play at the end. It then goes back to the beginning, and tells the story all the way through. Students could make a timeline of the events that happened. Then they can analyze the events in the book, and determine if it would influence the way the book is told if the events happened in order. Also they could discuss why the book works with the events not in order.

When You Reach Me mentions the book A Wrinkle in Time throughout the entire book. Students could compare and contrast the two books after reading them both. 
The book is about time travel. Students can research Stephen Hawking’s theory on time travel, as well as what Albert Einstein had to say about time travel. They could compare Stephen Hawking’s theories to When You Leave Me, and what Marcus, Julia, and Miranda talk about. Then they can write about whether they agree or disagree with whether time travel is possible, and their thoughts on the two scientists theories on time travel.
NOVA Online has a good website discussing time travel here is the link: NOVA Online Time Travel 

5 comments:

  1. Great idea about researching time travel and Albert Einstein! I think that would intrigue students and excite them about what they are learning.

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  2. This book sounds like a real page turner, I'm curious to know if this was the case for you? I really like the idea of having the class read the book that is discussed in this novel. I feel like it would really allow them to feel as if they were inside the story themselves instead of someone on the outside looking in! Great idea!!!!!

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    1. I do not feel that it was a real page turner. It was difficult to follow at times.

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  3. Students who love a mystery tend to enjoy this book. It does require a lot of thought and prediction from the reader. ~Dr. White

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  4. I'm in the middle of this story, and I agree it can be confusing at times. My son likes the mystery of it though. I do think it appeals to the adolescent who enjoys a mystery. The lessons and ideas you have brought to it are fantastic! Even the student who doesn't enjoy this book will enjoy you bringing in time travel ideas and Eisenstein. I could also see you using elapsed time for math with your lessons.

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