In 1979, sixth grader Melinda lives with her mother in a New York apartment. She and Sal, her best friend, would walk home from school avoiding the "laughing man", the crazy man who hangs out near her building. Until one day, Sal gets punched in the face by a boy on the street for no apparent reason and he ends his friendship with Miranda. She starts to receive strange notes that foretell the future. One of them tells her he's coming to save her friends life and his own, but Miranda needs to write him a letter. Meanwhile she forges a new friendship with Marcus, the boy who punched Sal. As Marcus and Miranda discuss A Wrinkle in Time, she learns that he isn't mean, but highly intelligent. The "laughing man" saves Sal from getting hit by a car and dies. Miranda finally realizes that the "laughing man" is Marcus as an old man.
I feel this book is suitable for kids 9-12 years old. It is a good mystery book with a surprise twist at the end. It truly engages readers. Another recommendation for this type of book would be The Time Travelers Wife by Audrey Niffenegger although this one would be better for the latter part of the age group recommendation for When You Reach Me.
Stead does a wonderful job with Miranda's character. Throughout the novel, her thoughts and feelings are revealed to us. Since she doesn't hold back, we are able to connect with the character.
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