When You Reach Me

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay. 

Scaffolded/Short-Answer Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the below bulleted outlines. Cite details from the novel over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. Much of Miranda’s character development comes as a result of her changing her mind about other people’s behavior.

• How does Miranda change her mind about Julia? (topic sentence)
• Select moments in the text where Miranda begins to see Julia in a different light. How does the author show Miranda responding to her observations?
• In your final sentences, evaluate how well Miranda’s character development is reflected in her relationship with Julia. Does the author do this well? How might you do it differently?

2. Annemarie’s father and Miranda’s mother have different parenting styles and different homes that impact the girls’ behavior at school and around each other.

• How does the author show the differences between Miranda and Annemarie through their parents and their homes? (topic sentence)
• Select details from the text showing how the parents’ different styles and homes impact the girls’ choices and behavior.