When You Reach Me

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay. 

Scaffolded/Short-Answer Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the below bulleted outlines. Cite details from the novel over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. Much of Miranda’s character development comes as a result of her changing her mind about other people’s behavior.

• How does Miranda change her mind about Julia? (topic sentence)
• Select moments in the text where Miranda begins to see Julia in a different light. How does the author show Miranda responding to her observations?
• In your final sentences, evaluate how well Miranda’s character development is reflected in her relationship with Julia. Does the author do this well? How might you do it differently?

2. Annemarie’s father and Miranda’s mother have different parenting styles and different homes that impact the girls’ behavior at school and around each other.

• How does the author show the differences between Miranda and Annemarie through their parents and their homes? (topic sentence)
• Select details from the text showing how the parents’ different styles and homes impact the girls’ choices and behavior.
• In your final sentences, evaluate how the author explores economic and social differences in Miranda and Annemarie’s relationship. Does the author do this well? How might you do it differently?

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by text details, and a conclusion.

1. The chapter titles throughout the novel frequently serve to draw bigger connections to plot, themes, and character development. Choose three chapter titles and explain the meaning behind each. How do they contribute to character development, plot structure, and/or themes? Your examples should connect to one of the three elements, but not all three. Cite page numbers for your quotes and examples.

2. Rebecca Stead uses a complicated plot that allows her to hide the novel’s ending. What hints does she drop that point to the novel’s resolution and big reveal? What details does she include to distract readers or to play on the reader’s preconceptions? Cite page numbers for your quotes and examples.

3. Realizing­ that she misunderstood or misinterpreted another person’s actions is a big part of Miranda’s coming-of-age. Choose one character that Miranda misjudged. How does the author show Miranda grow and change because of the misjudgment? Choose details from the text that show Miranda judging the person, confronting the truth, and changing her behavior. Cite page numbers for your quotes and examples.