When You Reach Me

by Rebecca Stead
When You Reach Me cover
Good Books rating 4.17
Fantasy, Young Adult
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £7.99
Amazon
Format/Price Check
Technical
  • ID: 10030
  • Added: 2026-01-05
  • Updated: 2026-01-05
  • ISBN: 9781849392129
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2011-01-06
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

When You Reach Me is a captivating novel that weaves a fantastic puzzle into a story of friendship and self-discovery. The protagonist, Miranda, receives a series of mysterious notes that seem to predict the future, leading her on a quest to unravel the secrets of time travel and the connections between people. The novel is praised for its originality, brilliance, and profound exploration of themes that resonate with both children and adults. This remarkable book holds a special place in children's literature, offering a unique blend of science fiction and coming-of-age themes. The author's skillful storytelling and the intriguing mystery at the heart of the novel make it a compelling read that encourages readers to think deeply about the nature of time and the bonds that connect us.

Reviews
A Journey of Words · Kristi Drillien · 2020-04-27
great 4.00

The book is highly recommended for anyone who enjoys a good mystery with some time travel thrown in. It is middle grade fiction, but it appeals to a wider audience.

Kristi Drillien highly recommends this book for its compelling mystery and time travel elements. While it is categorized as middle grade fiction, Drillien believes it has broader appeal due to its well-crafted plot and engaging themes. The reviewer appreciates the book's ability to balance suspense with everyday life, making it a rich and rewarding read. The novel's blend of mystery, science fiction, and coming-of-age storytelling is highlighted as a key strength, making it a compelling choice for readers of all ages.

Quick quotes

    I highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys a good mystery, with some time travel thrown in.

    It is middle grade fiction, but I don't think it's just for the younger audience.

    The book's ability to balance suspense with everyday life is noted as a particular strength.

Learning 2 Grow · 2019-09-23
good 4.00

When You Reach Me is a novel that delights on many levels. It's not just an entertaining read, but also has a meaningful lesson about friendship and boundaries.

This review from Learning 2 Grow emphasizes the novel's ability to entertain while also delivering a meaningful message about friendship and boundaries. The reviewer appreciates the book's layered storytelling, which makes it a delightful read on multiple levels. The novel's blend of mystery, science fiction, and coming-of-age themes is highlighted as a key strength, making it a compelling choice for both young readers and adults. The reviewer also notes the book's ability to balance suspense with everyday life, creating a rich and engaging narrative.

Quick quotes

    When You Reach Me is a novel that delights on many levels.

    It's not just an entertaining read, but also has a meaningful lesson about friendship and boundaries.

    The novel's blend of mystery, science fiction, and coming-of-age themes is highlighted as a key strength.

The Guardian · Philip Ardagh · 2011-02-04
brilliant 4.50

The book is a favourite with Stead in real life; she somehow treats it differently from the rest of her wonderfully believable world. The writing is poetic and well-done, making it a standout in its genre.

Philip Ardagh highlights that this book is a personal favourite of the author, Rebecca Stead, and it shows in the unique treatment of the story. The writing is described as poetic and well-crafted, creating a believable world that stands out in the genre. Ardagh appreciates the way Stead blends elements of mystery and science fiction, making it an engaging read. The book's ability to balance everyday life with suspense is noted as a particular strength, making it a compelling choice for readers of all ages.

Quick quotes

    The book is a favourite with Stead in real life; she somehow treats it differently from the rest of her wonderfully believable world.

    The writing is well-done, and I love the language - it's quite poetic in places.

    It's a standout in its genre, blending mystery and science fiction seamlessly.

Appears in Lists