Kilbourn Public Library Book Club

The Kilbourn Public Library Book Club is reading When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead for its April selection. When You Reach Me is a young adult novel that will delight adults and youth alike.

This remarkable novel holds a fantastic puzzle at its heart. By sixth grade, Miranda and her best friend, Sal, know how to navigate their New York City neighborhood. They know where it's safe to go, and they know who to avoid. Like the crazy guy on the corner.

But things start to unravel. Sal gets punched by a kid on the street for what seems like no reason, and he shuts Miranda out of his life. The apartment key that Miranda's mom keeps hidden for emergencies is stolen. And then a mysterious note arrives, scrawled on a tiny slip of paper. The notes keep coming, and Miranda slowly realizes that whoever is leaving them knows things no one should know. Each message brings her closer to believing that only she can prevent a tragic death. Until the final note makes her think she's too late.

Were you confused by the way the book skips back and forth between past tense and present tense? Do the different time frames ultimately make sense?

How are the chapter titles related to the $20,000 Pyramid game show...and how do those titles fit into the plot?

Were you satisfied with the way all the mysteries came together in the end?

Let us know if you liked When You Reach Me.