The following review of Mathical Hall of Fame book A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle was submitted by New York high school student Pranusha Appanabhotla.
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?
| Book Summary | A Wrinkle in Time is about a teenage girl named Meg Murry who feels like she doesn’t fit in at school or at home. Her father, a scientist, has been missing for a long time, and her family doesn’t know what happened to him. One night, Meg, her younger brother Charles Wallace, and their friend Calvin meet three mysterious beings—Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which—who explain that Meg’s father is trapped on another planet. They travel through space using a method called a tesseract, which bends time and space. On their journey, they visit strange planets and eventually find a dark place called Camazotz, where everything is controlled by a powerful evil brain called IT. Meg must use her love and courage to save her father and brother from this darkness. |
| Main Characters | Meg Murry: Main character, insecure but brave. Charles Wallace: Very intelligent and unique younger brother of Meg. Calvin O’Keefe: Kind and supportive friend. Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which: Mysterious guides who help them on their journey. IT: The main villain that controls minds. |
| Favorite Part | My favorite part was when Meg realizes that her faults, such as her anger and stubbornness, actually make her strong. She harnesses her love for her brother to defeat IT and bring him back to normal. I enjoyed this part because it demonstrates that you don’t have to be perfect to be powerful. |
| What I Liked | I really enjoyed how the author blended science with imagination, particularly the concept of the tesseract and the idea of traveling through space and time. The characters felt realistic, especially Meg, who struggles with self-confidence and feelings of being different. I also appreciated the message that love is stronger than evil and that being unique is something to take pride in. The story was creative and stood out from other books I’ve read. |
| What I Didn’t Like | Younger students may find it challenging to engage with a fast-paced story as they often struggle with abstract concepts, complex vocabulary, and following multiple plot points. The rapid movement of the narrative can lead to confusion as they may not have enough time to process the information or connect with the characters and themes fully. This can affect their overall understanding and enjoyment of the story. |
| Would You Recommend This Book? | Yes |
| Why or Why Not? | I highly recommend this book because it conveys an important message about courage, love, and self-acceptance. Although some parts may be challenging to understand, it encourages deep reflection on themes of good versus evil and individuality. It’s an excellent choice for readers who enjoy fantasy and science fiction that includes meaningful lessons. |
| Age Group Recommendations | 12–16 years old (middle school to early high school readers) |
| Themes / Messages | The main themes include good vs. evil, the power of love, individuality, courage, and the importance of family. It also shows that intelligence and emotions can both be strengths. |
| Connection / Personal Reflection | I connected with Meg because she sometimes feels like she doesn’t belong and struggles with her confidence, which is something many students experience. The book made me realize that being different is actually a strength, not a weakness. It also reminded me that the love and support from family and friends can help you overcome difficult situations. |
| Genre | Science Fiction / Fantasy |
About the Reviewer
Pranusha Appanabhotla is a freshman in high school in New York state taking Algebra 2. She is also a member of her school’s Math Honor Society. She shared this review with Mathical Books as a volunteer opportunity modeled after Page Turners Book Reviews.