A Wrinkle in Time: The Graphic Novel

This is a re-read of a book I read frequently when I was younger. It probably isn't quite the same for me, because of the span of years and experiences that separate me from that girl, but...it still has a female protagonist, and not one that is smooth and suave and solidly sure of herself, like Nancy Drew. It is a girl I can still relate to - awkward, scared, socially inept, and totally out of place in the world created by other people. The writing sounds somewhat stilted to me now, and the characters are not developed as fully as I might like them to be, especially the crucial characters of Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which, but I did my best not to impose 21st century writing expectations on a book that was published in 1962. I just relaxed and enjoyed it. I didn't remember the religious silliness from when I was younger (I was less likely to notice it then), but it was much less than the rather lightweight movie made from the book.

More religion and less science (really, no science, beyond defining "tesseract") than I expected. Shelve this one next to the Chronicles of Narnia--it's less specifically Christian, but just as much a morality play.

Also, I don't believe that Charles Wallace is 5 and Meg is in high school.

(I always wondered where Snoopy got the sentence "It was a dark and stormy night." when ever he started a story on his typewriter! )This science fiction novel is about Meg, her little brother Charles Wallace and her friend Calvin traveling to other worlds in search of Meg and Charles Wallace's father. Mr. Murry disappeared many years earlier after discovering how to travel to other worlds. I found this book still relevant to day with the current study of string and membrane theories of our universe that is currently being explored. Though I did feel the ending was too quick and simple. This would be a great book to use along with a science unit about space or astronomy.

I think I read this book as a child, but didn't retain much of it. Reading it as an adult, I enjoyed it, but felt it was a little juvenile. This makes sense, as it is written for elementary school age children. The actual story has a dark element to it, which seemed a little surprising for a book aimed at children. I really liked Charles Wallace. He was quirky and different from the others. Meg was a little annoying, but she comes through when it counts, and she loves her family. There are many elements here that are appealing. I like the scope of the universe presented here.

This novel is full of adventure as Meg, Calvin, and Charles travel through time to save her father from 'it'. I really enjoyed this book. It shies away from using simple vocabulary and complex problems within the book. Teachers can use passages of this book for readers' theater. Since the movie version of this book recently came out, students could also compare and contrast the two. This book could also be used in a genre study for science fiction.

Meg, Charles Wallace, and Calvin set off an quite an adventure to find Meg’s father and bring him home. With the help of three mythical creatures and Aunt Beast, they strive on to accomplish their quest. The author does a masterful job of writing fantasy that includes the overtones of religious writings and yet enters the realm of fantasy wholeheartedly. Elements of suspense and mystery will engage readers of all ages in this timeless classic.