A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

There are a lot of reasons I decided to reread this book this last week. The recent death of the author, Madeleine L'Engle, being one, and the introduction of two write-offs on Epinions that it would qualify under. I am really glad I decided to reread it, since it'd been so long since my last reading that I really had forgotten a lot of the plot.

A Wrinkle in Time is the story of a girl named Meg, her little brother, Charles Wallace, and a guy that goes to Meg's high school named Calvin who meet some odd old ladies named Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which who send them on an amazing journey to help Meg and Charles' father.

Of course they learn things along the way and find themselves on a planet far far away from home. They meet strange creatures, begin to understand the abilities that Charles Wallace possesses, even though he is only 5, and they learn the importance of their task is far more than just saving their father.

I didn't realize how old this book was. It was written in 1962 and I probably read it the first time in the late 80s or early 90s. Reading it now, in the 2000s it still doesn't seem dated at all. There are relations between the children and the parents, including the angst Meg feels toward her father for not helping more, in her opinion, that are human characteristics that time has no affect on.

The underlying theme of this book is about overcoming evil. There is a small religious aspect to it, and L'Engle has written many books for adults with religious themes, but I wouldn't call this a religious book, although there is a mention or two to God in helping to defeat the "Black Thing" that is sometimes referred to, or "IT".

I really enjoyed L'Engle's writing. The characterization is great. You become concerned about the children and want them to succeed. I read this book in 3 sittings just because I have such a busy life, but if I'd had the time I would have wanted to read it all at once. The story draws you in and you want to find out what happens next. I had no complaints with the writing style at all. In fact this book won the Newberry Award for 1962 due to it being the greatest contribution to American literature for children that year.

I can't recommend this book enough. It was my favorite book as a child and rereading as an adult it I can see why. It has a interesting story that will make you think and make comparisons to your own world, and it features daring, and strong willed characters who you want to root for. This is a wonderful story for children of all ages.

While I am not sure why this book was banned, it apparently was, so this review has been an entry in Pestyside's Banned Books Week Write Off.

This has been an entry in dramastef's and hadassahchana's Fight illiteracy Write Off and I will be donating a copy of this book to the Mississippi Humanities Council.