Twelve-year-old Miranda Sinclair lives in 1970s New York City, where her daily life revolves around her mother’s upcoming appearance on a game show and a sudden rift with her best friend, Sal. The narrative shifts when Miranda begins receiving cryptic, anonymous notes that accurately predict future events and request her help. These messages lead her to observe a local homeless man, known as the laughing man, and reconsider the mechanics of time travel as described in her favorite novel, A Wrinkle in Time. Miranda must decipher the instructions within the letters to prevent a tragic street accident.
This novel is for middle-grade readers who enjoy intricate puzzles and non-linear storytelling. It appeals to those interested in the intersection of urban realism and science fiction. Readers observe how small, seemingly isolated actions connect across time to influence the safety of others. The book provides a technical look at how friendship dynamics shift during adolescence and how individuals perceive their surroundings. By the conclusion, the reader understands the internal logic of a closed causal loop and the importance of paying close attention to neighborhood details.
- Published
- 2009
- Language
- EN
