Unlikely Travelers, Unlikely Heroes

The History

A Wrinkle in Time was one of those books that they required kids to read in some schools around the age of middle school and junior high. Kind of gives it a bad wrap from the start, don't you think?

I was one of those kids. Now, those out there who know me know that I've always loved to read. At that age I just would have much rather been reading a Sweet Valley High book or some other Harlequin for teens saga. Dating, romance, friends, cheerleading, the mall, school... those things interested me. Science fiction, mystery, having to give thought to what I was reading... those things didn't interest me yet.

But as required reading, I took the book, A Wrinkle in Time, home on spring break to try to finish it quickly thus ending my pain faster. I loved the book...re-read it even. I couldn't admit it to my friends so I had to read another teen smut book as well to look like I had gotten something accomplished. Ah... the life of an 11 year old girl.

From there, in secret, I read the rest of the books in Madeleine L'Engle's Wrinkle in Time series and fell in love with all of them. I then proceeded to put them away and fall back into reading my girly books to keep up with my friends. But I never really went back all the way.

The Now

Recently while browsing the book store, I came across the four book set from Madeleine L'Engle that includes A Wrinkle in Time, A Wind in the Door, A Swiftly Tilting Planet and Many Waters. I looked at it for what seemed an eternity. I was drawn to it but would my boys who are 10 and 7 be as interested?

We purchased it for my oldest son for Christmas and then began reading A Wrinkle in Time over the break. I read outloud so that I could explain anything overly complex to my younger son. We also talked about each chapter after reading it to make sure everyone understood what was happening.

I was instantly drawn back into the world that I remembered loving, and my boys and hubby were hooked as well.

The Characters
The Murry's are considered an odd family amongst the town people.

Charles Wallace is the little one, youngest in age and small in size. With a telepathic sense for others, his overwhelmingly advanced wisdom and knowledge are often misconstrued as an over-active imagination in an otherwise slow child. But Charles Wallace doesn't so much care how he is perceived. He's got more science (and concern for his mother and sister) going around in his brain than one person needs. He's got enough to think about.

Sandy and Dennys, are the Murrys' older twin boys. They have some of the same oddness about them, however, they are more active in normal teenage functions. They have done well at utilizing their confidence and finding what it takes to fit in at school.

Meg is the only daughter. Not yet blossomed into the beauty that her mother is, not as in tune or wise as Charles Wallace, not as popular as Sandy and Dennys, she feels plain and insignificant. She loves her family but longs to be normal. Stuck in the middle of an impossible life, the gawky teenager just feels like she's an outsider.

Both Murry parents are scientists who seem to be continuously on the verge of that great discovery. While Mrs. Murry is home bound, she is often in her lab working. Mr. Murry is often away. A secret meeting at the White House this week... meeting with this or that person on an important, secret scientific issue the next.

Calvin O'Keefe is a local boy. Drawn to the Murry's and to Meg by a force that he doesn't even understand.

Mrs. Who, Mrs. Whatsit and Mrs. Which... where to begin. These entities appear to the kids as women, although they are not. They are more of good energy, set out to fight the darkness.

The Story

Dr. Murry has disappeared. Of course the town people whisper that he left his family or that he's dead. But the Murrys know better. Charles Wallace, Calvin O'Keefe and Meg in particular. With the guidance of Mrs. Who, Mrs. Whatsit, and Mrs. Which, these three unlikely time travelers set off the adventure of a lifetime...one where everything they know is now turned upside down along with the realization that there is a darkness out there that threatens not just them, but puts everything in existence in danger. All three must be able to find and utilize their own special qualities, especially Meg, to overcome their trials, find Dr. Murry and come home safely.

The Author
Madeleine L'Engle was born in 1918 and was born and raised in New York City. She has written many books but it also noted for her poetry. She received the Newbery Medal in 1963 for A Wrinkle in Time as well as the Margaret Edwards (American Library Association Lifetime Achievement Award For Writing In The Field Of Young Adult Literature) award in 1998.

In Conclusion
In all my fervor to hide my enjoyment of this book as a pre-teen, in reality it opened a door for me that led to a love for similar books that would in turn open my mind to the unexplained, the impossible. To give credit to it for assisting in my becoming who I am today would not be unreasonable. I just hope it does the same for my boys.