When You Reach Me Novel Study

This is a comprehensive unit plan for the novel When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead. The book is a Newberry award winning novel, first published in 2009. It is a sci-fi mystery about a young girl in 1970s NYC who starts receiving mysterious notes about saving her friend’s life.

In this unit plan you have enough information for a thorough study of the book which should last 2-3 months.

I have included:

1. Pacing Calendar

2. Author Biography with Link to Her Website

3.Building Background Knowledge Activities (1970s NYC Photo PowerPoint, Link to 1970s NYC Article, Genre Questions, $20,000 Pyramid Video Link and Class Game Categories)

4. Key Vocabulary with Definitions

5. 2 Vocabulary Quizzes - Matching and Multiple Choice - with Answer Keys

6. Classroom, Do Now, and Homework Discussion Questions with Detailed Answers

7. Character Analysis Graphic Organizers

8. Plot and Conflict Analysis Graphic Organizers

9. 2 Essay Prompts, Answers, and Rubrics

The questions ask students to:

*Analyze characters

*Identify major plot elements

*Explain cause and effect relationships

*Draw inferences

*Determine central ideas and details

*Determine theme

*Describe plot

*Identify conflict and resolution

*Analyze author's purpose

*Analyze author's choice