When asked for an all-time favorite book title, I find my answer always is A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L’Engle. Published in 1962, this book was already out before I was born and soon after its publication, it was named a Newbery Award Winner. That was probably the reason it was suggested by my hometown librarian. However that book ended up in my hands, I’m sure glad it did.
What? You’ve never heard of A Wrinkle in Time? Here’s a plot summary: Meg Murray, a precocious young girl, and her younger brother, Charles Wallace Murray, are the subjects of ridicule in their town—even more so when their physicist father disappears, leaving them alone with their brilliant scientist mother. When Charles, who talks like no other young boy, introduces Meg to an unearthly stranger, Mrs. Whatsit, the two Murray children and their friend Calvin O’Keefe embark on a quest through space to find Mr. Murray. They get some help from some very unusual creatures indeed.
For some reason, or for several, this book spoke to me and instilled in me a lifelong love of reading. Maybe it’s because, as a young reader I identified with the strong female lead character? Perhaps it’s the amazing journey the three children take? Perhaps I identified with a character who shared a last name with me? Why choose. I simply loved the book.
Only when entering the library profession did I come to find out that someone was trying to keep it out of libraries. How unfair! A Wrinkle in Time was listed on the American Library Association list of the 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990–2000 at number 22. Reasons given include the book’s references to witches and crystal balls. I certainly didn’t want to practice magic after reading L’Engle’s classic tale. I’m betting you won’t either. Pick up a copy here at the library and judge for yourself and celebrate your freedom to read…whatever YOU want!
~Carol
Read it or Weep 