When You Reach Me

“April 27, 1979. Just like you said.”

April 27 proves to be when Miranda experiences her moment of understanding and solves the mystery of who the laughing man is. The line, “Just like you said” sets an immediate tone of suspense for the story because readers learn early in the plot that this mystery has been building for some time. From this point, readers understand there is a mystery to solve, and the pieces quickly become available to start putting together as Miranda’s narrative goes back in time to explain the beginnings of the mysterious notes guiding her to write a letter to an unknown recipient.

“Mom has to win this money.”

There is a sense of urgency early in the novel, leaving readers to understand that a lot weighs on the outcome of the game show. Miranda’s mother wins $12,100 as a contestant on The $20,000 Pyramid, but her winning isn’t the climax of the novel, and her preparation is a subplot throughout the story. The early urgency in the story contributes to the plot’s suspense, which is intensified as the central mystery of who is trying to reach Miranda unfolds.