L'Engle, Madeleine. A Wrinkle In Time.

L'Engle, Madeleine.  A Wrinkle In Time.  Macmillan/Farrar Strauss  392p  $19.99  

978-0-374-38615-3    2012  ms/hs   E-BN      Graphic novel    

This is a timeless hero’s journey written by a master of young-adult fiction more than 50 years ago, but re-issued in graphic-novel format.  Meg grapples with the sinister bring known only as IT, a force that wants every living thing to “give in” and cease thinking for themselves.  Along with her extraordinary five-year-old brother and friend from school, Meg enlists the help of Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who and Mrs. Which.  They could be seen as guardian angels that guide Meg’s party through danger. In fact, the author alludes to them as winged creatures who work for a higher power.  This graphic-novel rendition of Meg’s story is a book for the ages, with a minor catch -- there are a few mentions of Christianity.  Jesus is mentioned as one who fights against dark forces, and Mrs. Whatsit’s people sing a song about the Lord.  Madeline L’Engle never forces any religion upon her readers, but she does hint at a divine inspiration for Meg’s story.  This new edition takes the classic story into the realm of reluctant-reader material.               

Classics, Science Fiction                                   --Lynn Fisher

A Wrinkle In Time (50th Anniversary Edition)

L’Engle, Madeleine      A Wrinkle In Time (50th Anniversary Edition)  Macmillan/Square Fish     2012  236p  $9.99 978-0-374-38616-0   E      ms/hs   Fantasy    

The classic A Wrinkle in Time tells the timeless and exciting story of Meg Murry and her fantastical voyage through a Tesseract, to find her missing father. Accompanied by her brother and a few friends, she travels to Camazotz to face the evil Leader IT.

This timeless treasure from 1962 is still filled with adventure and suspense that continue to entertain and engage readers of all ages.  It is a story that includes aspects of friendship, physics, theology, and the eternal conflict between good and evil while delighting the reader with unearthly characters and fantastical lands.
The 50th Anniversary Edition has been redesigned and begins with "The L’Engle Cast of Characters" chart, which graphically shows the characters in all of Madeline L’Engle’s books, starting with the Murry-O’Keefe’s or the Austins.  This special edition also includes a lively introduction by Katherine Paterson and ends with an afterword written by Madeline L’Engle’s granddaughter, which also contains photographs.  Additionally, the book concludes with "Questions for the Author" and the author’s Newbery Medal of Honor acceptance speech.

E     Virginia McGarvey       Time travel, Fantasy, Adventure

 

A Wrinkle in Time (50th Anniversary Commemorative Edition)

L’Engle, Madeleine      A Wrinkle in Time       

 Farrar Strauss see Macmillan Children's Pub Group     1962/2012   262p      $24.99      978-0-374-38616-0       ms/hs  Science fiction  

The 50th-Anniversary edition of A Wrinkle in Time proves once again that true classics are both timeless and limitless.  The story of Meg, Charles Wallace, and their friend Calvin venturing out into an unknown universe to rescue Mr. Murry from the clutches of the evil, disembodied brain of IT will still resonate  with its newest generation of readers.   This fascinating story of travel through time and space through the use of a tesseract is enhanced by the strength and beauty of its characters.  It seamlessly meshes science fiction, fantasy, faith, and the power of love to produce a compelling narrative that speaks to all readers.  This special edition contains the added bonuses of an introduction by Katherine Paterson, an afterword that offers insight and biographical information about the author by Charlotte Jones Voiiklis, granddaughter of L’Engle, an annotated chapter from the original manuscript, photographs and memorabilia, and L’Engle’s Newbery Award acceptance speech.  
E-BN  Susan Ogintz      Science Fiction