I rarely do this, but I'm strongly recommending this book: When You Reach Me, by Rebecca SteadAfter reading the last page, your initial reaction might go something like, "Wait. What? What just happened?" This is the kind of story you will want to give a second read. Perhaps even a third or fourth. And Rebecca Stead has made the story accessible enough to do just that.
Read a thoroughly convincing review by a thoroughly convincing reviewer here.
You are the third person I heard rave about this book. I'm going to go put it on my list. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThis book was recommended by an editor I'm working with. It's fantastic. Such a clear example of magical realism.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for this recommendation!! I have an 11-year old voracious reader, and I bet she'd love this one. Going to get it for her tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to break down and buy it because my library system is woefully inadequate. I'm curious about Lawn Boy, too. Let us know.
ReplyDeleteJust bought Catching Fire and The Magician's Elephant tonight.
Amy - your 11 year-old daughter will love it.
ReplyDeletePMM - Our school library has ordered The Magician's Elephant, can't wait to read that one. DiCamillo has worked her "tale" off and become a master of middle grade storytelling. I like the fact that she toyed with writing for 10 years before becoming serious about it and actually writing something.
The Hunger Games/Catching Fire is the talk of the town in middle school. It's nice to see! I've yet to read Catching Fire, but it's burning a hole in my desk.
My daughters and I think DiCamillo is fabulous, so when we saw that she gave a blurb on "Ida B and Her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disaster, and (Possibly) Save the World" by Katherine Hannigan, we got it.....Unfortunately, it suuuhhhked.
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