A Wrinkle in Time: With Related Readings

by Madeleine L'Engle

Now, 40 years after A Wrinkle in Time was first published to become one of the landmark books in childrens' literature, Square Fish is proud to present this Newbery Medal winner, completely redesigned and with bonus material, including an appreciation by Anna Quindlen, a new interview with Madeleine L'Engle, and the author's Newbery Medal acceptance speech.

Everyone in town thinks Meg is volatile and dull-witted and that her younger brother Charles Wallace is dumb. People are also saying that their father has run off and left their brilliant scientist mother. Spurred on by these rumors, Meg and Charles Wallace, along with their new friend Calvin, embark on a perilous quest through space to find their father. In doing so they must travel behind the shadow of an evil power that is darkening the cosmos, one planet at a time.

Young people who have trouble finding their place in the world will connect with the "misfit" characters in this provocative story. This is no superhero tale, nor is it science fiction, although it shares elements of both. The travelers must rely on their individual and collective strengths, delving deep into their characters to find answers.

A classic since 1962, Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time is sophisticated in concept yet warm in tone, with mystery and love coursing through its pages. Meg's shattering yet ultimately freeing discovery that her father is not omnipotent provides a satisfying coming-of-age element. Readers will feel a sense of power as they travel with these three children, challenging concepts of time, space, and the power of good over evil. (Ages 9 to 12)

One stormy night a strange visitor comes to the Murry house and beckons Meg, her brother, Charles Wallace, and their friend Calvin O'Keefe on a most dangerous and fantastic journey—a journey that will threaten their lives and our universe.

Meg Murray, her little brother Charles Wallace, and their mother are having a midnight snack on a dark and stormy night when an unearthly stranger appears at their door. He claims to have been blown off course, and goes on to tell them that there is such a thing as a "tesseract," which, if you didn't know, is a wrinkle in time.

Meg's father had been experimenting with time-travel when he suddenly disappeared. Will Meg, Charles Wallace, and their friend Calvin outwit the forces of evil as they search through space for their father?

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Young Adult, Childrens, Classics, Urban Fantasy

250 pages, Hardcover

Published May 1, 2002

About the author

Madeleine L'Engle was an American writer of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and young adult fiction, including A Wrinkle in Time and its sequels: A Wind in the Door, A Swiftly Tilting Planet, Many Waters, and An Acceptable Time. Her works reflect both her Christian faith and her strong interest in modern science.

Reviews

[Lily Lynd · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s a good storyline just kinda weird. Not really for me. I also had to read it for school so that also ruined it for me.

[floralbookay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was on the fence about this book for the first few chapters, but I remember now why I enjoyed it so much as a child. Yes, Meg is irritating and whiny and not the brightest crayon in the box, but her feelings of inadequacy (coupled with a refusal to accept her own extraordinary talents) were definitely relatable to elementary school me, and Meg's constant focus on the negative is as annoying as middle school me was. At the same time, the author manages to create a truly whimsical world with a colorful cast of delightful aliens. Honestly, the humans are the worst part of the book so... 💁🏽‍♀️

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book....

[Bryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic reading from my youth

[Natalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Wrinkle in Time was one of my all-time favorite books as a child, along with The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Gosh, they never fail to bring back memories of being curled under the covers and reading until I couldn’t keep my eyes open any longer. Sometimes I miss having all that extra time during the summer and on weekends to just binge read. Long gone are those days; except maybe on vacations whenever I can get those, haha!

Since A Wrinkle in Time is one of my favorites, I have seen several adaptations of the first book, including the most recent one from Disney, which I really loved! Unironically, I haven’t read past book one, and I feel terrible about that! But, I’ve promised myself I will finish the quintet in a timely manner, lol.

Honestly, I’ve seen several reviews about how there is more dialogue than action (which is terribly true, there is a lot of talk) and how it revolves around religion (which it certainly does, and I think that is why I read it in school because I was in a Catholic school at the time). I won’t get much into the latter, but if you haven’t read the book before, expect to find Christanity sprinkled throughout the book.

A Wrinkle in Time follows two siblings, Meg and Charles Wallace, and their friend Calvin as they travel through a wrinkle in time (I love when the titles are in books!) to save Meg and Charles Wallace’s father who disappeared upon trying to understand the universe and essentially unlock the mysteries of time travel. They are followed by Three Wise Woman, known as Ms. Whatsit, Ms. Which, and Ms. Who.

And it is so cute.

Charles Wallace is a sweetheart. He is very good at being able to read people for someone who is very young (I think he’s five or six, so not very old at all). Meg is exceptionally brilliant, taking after her scientist parents, except when her father disappeared and she stopped caring about nearly everything and letting her grades slip. But Meg is a tough little cookie. She refuses to allow anyone to say anything bad about her family and friends and will probably take them out if Meg heard them talking smack.

And what do they end up doing? Follow Ms. Whatsit, Ms. Which, and Ms. Who into the fabric (or wrinkle, hehe) in time to find their missing father. Although their ultimate endgame is to find Meg and Charles Wallace’s father, there is a much greater threat looming over them: the Thing. Yeah, scary. I know! But the Thing can destroy worlds (and it totally has), and now it has set its gaze upon the beautiful planet Earth. YIKES.

Here’s a big (sorta) difference between the book and the last adaptation (I honestly don’t remember much about the one released before that, though, just that I liked it): Meg and Charles have two other brothers???? Though I suppose it was never put into the film because the two brothers were hardly mentioned at all during the book; the story mainly revolved around Meg and Calvin.

A Wrinkle in Time is totally not what I remember it to be, though I remembered some bits and pieces. There were times where I wished there was less talk and more action, but alas, twas not meant to be. Overall, it was nice to enjoy rereading an old classic and childhood favorite. Maybe this time I’ll actually complete the rest of the series!

[Merz · Rating 5 out of 5]

My childhood favorite book , that was read to me several times. I have read this several times and have found a new layer to this book each time. It addresses subjects that are profound in a subtle manner and i think it reflects on the genius of the author.
Madeleine L'Engle is writer in C.S.Lewis's tradition. She devoted 21 pages to describing the possibilities of life "out there" with scientific explanations. I sense that this book is about giving children a pre-emptive mental map to escape the world prophecised by George Orwell .Not just a wild imagination of a creative writer!
There are many underlying themes most intriguing to me is marrying science & spirituality.Its quite cleverly put together.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for the first time in 6th grade and has always been one of my favorites. I reread it when we went on a road trip and realize that there is so much more to the book than a 6th grader could ever get. Waiting to read the rest of the series!

[Estelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I probably should have read this when I was younger. I appreciated some of the elements - using your talents for good purposes, the power of love. But as a story they didn't all come together for me.

[Kathleen H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so neat! The story had a nice amount of descriptions without dragging on. I love the Christian imagery/theology without being overbearing. And the wonderful mix of science.

This is amazing for all ages.

Love conquers all. Remember that!

[Crystal Schmitz · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a quick read, which was nice between longer books that I've been reading, but I wasn't super invested. I know it's a beloved classic, it just didn't appeal to me in that sense unfortunately. Which is fine! At least I've read it now.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is fantastic, though not life changing. It is a story of love and wit, that is entrancing and entertaining.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an intriguing, fun adventure mystery novel for 5th graders to read.

[Leif · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best sci-fi stories, in or out of childrens writing.

[Ember Air · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this little sci-fi novel. It is a classic for a reason! This is one of those books that will always be on my Comfort Shelf, well worn and well loved.

[Rowan Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful book, perhaps a bit outdated in parts, but still fresh for new audiences. Simply wonderful.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Comfy vibe at the beginning. Took a huge shift I wasn't fully expecting. Insanely abrupt wrap up.