Tuesday, January 25, 2011

A Wrinkle in Time

A Wrinkle in Time

Yearling Publishers

Written by Madeleine L’Engle

1973

Fantasy

256 pages

Reading Level age 12+

Newberry Award

Summary

Meg is worried about her father. He is a government physicist and is on a secret mission. Her younger brother, Charles tells her not to worry because Mrs. Witch, Mrs. Who and Mrs. Whatsit will help them rescue father. Calvin find them walking in the woods and agrees to go with them because of the feeling he had to help. Charles explains that the three women could tesseract which is to travel faster than the speed of light and to distant planets. They travel to the women’s home where they explain how they used to be stars fighting the black cloud of evil darkness. It is up the three children to rescue Father and defeat the IT. At the central tower in the middle of the town where everyone follows the exact rhythm of IT, Charles gives in to IT to allow Calvin and Meg to escape and be able to rescue Father. Meg uses the glasses to open the wall finding her father ragged but safe. He takes Meg and Calvin to a further planet to get past the influence of IT and recover. Meg is furious that her father left Charles in the clutches of IT and demands for him to go save Charles. The three witches appear and explain how Father in inexperienced with traveling the fifth dimension. Meg decides to go. She is transported back to IT’s planet. She is almost about to give into IT’s rhythm and influence. She discovers the one thing IT does not have power over was love. She thinks of her love for Charles and breaks free from the trance. She grabs Charles and reminds him of her love and all the things she loves. Charles becomes himself and they escape to join Father and Calvin on the journey home. There is a joyous reunion of Father and Mother and the two older sons. They had defeated IT and Father was safely home at last.

Response

I liked the idea of the travel theory and the different dimensions they felt on their journey. I felt that something was missing or that there were parts that didn’t fit together. Like The three women used to be stars but has almost horse like figures. I felt that Meg’s character was too angry and quick to accuse and use hurtful words than to think about the consequences and think logically.

Possible Problems

There are some parts that may be to intense for younger ages. There is a more science and English background, such as the travel method and all the quotes used by Mrs. Who.

Recommendations

I would recommend this to those interested in space travel and conquering villains. It would also be good for those who feel that they don’t fit in, this has a good moral that some qualities that make you different are important.

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