Science Fiction: When You Reach Me

Title: When You Reach Me

Author: Rebecca Stead

Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books

Copyright: 2009




Reading Level

Fountas and Pinnell: Level W

Lexile: 750 L

Accelerated Reader: 4.5

A science fiction novel told in the form of a mystery situation that will have you confused, excited, and completely captivated throughout. This book will force you to think deeper about time travel and not put it down until it’s finished.

Suggested Delivery:  Independent Reading

2 electronic resources to support/extend the text: 

1. http://www.rebeccasteadbooks.com/whenyoureachme.html

      This is the author’s website. On her website, she has information about all of the books she has written along with a calendar and information on how to contact her. She also has a link to her blog which students could read about her different books and appearances and even interact with the author herself. Students could ask their questions or share their comments on her blog website in order to help support and extend the text.

2. http://www.shmoop.com/when-you-reach-me/

      This is a link to a resource page about the book. The page includes a detailed summary and analysis of the book along with information about the themes and characters. The website also has a list of important quotes. This resource could be helpful to students who are struggling with the book and need a little support but they would need to use it along with reading the text not just read the summary instead of the text.

Key Vocabulary:

1.Assumption-A thing that is accepted as true or as certain to happen,without 

      proof.   

2.Despise-To feel a deep or strong hatred for something or someone.

3.Oblivious-Not aware of or not concerned about what is happening around 

      you. 

4.Teleportation-The transportation of someone by dematerializing at one point

      and then reassembling at another point in time.  

5.Mystified-To confuse or bewilder completely.

6.Terse-Something that uses very little words or is very short and to the point.

Before Reading Strategy: 

      Before beginning the novel, have students fill out an anticipation guide. The questions should discuss the idea of time travel and whether someone could go back in time to save someone else’s life. The questions should also be about different genres. Ask the students whether a science fiction novel could also be  considered a mystery novel or if a book can only be under one genre. There should also be a question about class and whether or not a poor girl who grows up in a small apartment in the poor neighborhoods of New York can truly be friends with a rich girl who lives in a fancy apartment with a doorman in the nicer part of New York. 

      Gear the questions towards the various plot points in the story so that students have an idea of what the story will be about and ask questions about the science fiction parts of the book for clarity.

During Reading Strategy: 

      The novel can sometimes be confusing for readers because the author jumps around to different time periods. In order for students to follow the novel as it jumps around, create a split-page note taking handout for every chapter. On one side write all of the characters, settings, and plot points that students need to pay attention to and them have them paraphrase and jot down their thoughts and ideas on the right side. Also leave room for students to write their reactions, comments, and thoughts at the end of the chapter so that they can look back and remember what they were thinking. This will also help them remember where they left off in the story if they are unable to keep reading right away.

After Reading Strategy: 

      This text fits multiple different genres. Have students define the genres of science fiction, adventure, mystery, historical fiction, and realism. After they have written down the definitions, split the class up into 3 different groups. Each group has to pick a different genre and debate how the novel fits their genre. Each group should be given at least 10 minutes to come up with their reasons, students should also get a resource sheet about their genre with common characteristics of novels that are within that genre to help them frame their reasons. Each group should then have 5 minutes to debate why the novel fits their genre. After each group has gone, they should get 5 minutes to come up with one rebuttal to to each of the other groups. They will have 3 minutes to say their rebuttals before they make their closing arguments. 

Writing Activity to demonstrate Inferential Comprehension: 

      Have a class discussion about the metaphor of the veil, which is presented first on page 71. After the discussion, have students write about which characters they think begin to lift the veil between them and the rest of the world. Discuss what things they see with evidence from the text to support.

Their writing should include:

      a) The name of the character and at least 2 traits that the author tells about the character.

      b) When they think the character began to lift their veil. Include page number if possible.

      c) At least 3 things that the character saw when they started to lift their veil.

      d) At least 2 pieces of evidence to support their answer to C. 

      e) What is the significance of the metaphor? Why did the author include it?