Rebecca Stead’s When You Reach Me is a beautifully written book that walks a tightrope strung between reality and fantasy–or maybe sci-fi.

Miranda is a latchkey kid, and the neighbor boy she’s been friends with forever seems to suddenly want nothing to do with her. An exploration of friendship follows. Miranda makes friends, learns to be a good friend, and gains understanding of how friendships change.

And in the background, someone’s sending Miranda notes–someone who seems to know all about Miranda. Someone who seems to even know what will happen in the future…

When You Reach Me felt just a touch slow to me, but it has so many layers that it stands up to multiple readings. I’d strongly recommend it if you like middle grade with just a hint of something beyond the world as we know it now. If you liked Hello, Universe, I suspect you’ll like this one, too.