A Wrinkle in Time
(Newbery Medal Winner)
📘 About This Book
NEWBERY MEDAL WINNER • TIME MAGAZINE’S 100 BEST FANTASY BOOKS OF ALL TIME • NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE FROM DISNEY Read the ground-breaking science fiction and fantasy classic that has delighted children for over 60 years! "A Wrinkle in Time is one of my favorite books of all time. I've read it so often, I know it by heart." —Meg Cabot Late one night, three otherworldly creatures appear and sweep Meg Murry, her brother Charles Wallace, and their friend Calvin O'Keefe away on a mission to save Mr. Murray, who has gone missing while doing top-secret work for the government. They travel via tesseract--a wrinkle that transports one across space and time--to the planet Camazotz, where Mr. Murray is being held captive. There they discover a dark force that threatens not only Mr. Murray but the safety of the whole universe. A Wrinkle in Time is the first book in Madeleine L’Engle’s Time Quintet.
📖 Summary
Madeleine L'Engle's enduring juvenile fiction classic, A Wrinkle in Time, invites readers into a wondrous universe where science, philosophy, and fantasy intersect. Published originally decades ago and remaining a celebrated staple of literature, this 260-page novel has captivated generations of readers and earned prestigious accolades, including the Newbery Medal, while also being recognized as one of Time magazine's 100 best fantasy books of all time and inspiring a major motion picture from Disney. The story centers around Meg Murry, an ordinary yet deeply relatable young girl struggling with her own perceived flaws, her exceptionally brilliant younger brother Charles Wallace, and their steadfast friend Calvin O'Keefe. Their lives are upended late one night when three mysterious, otherworldly visitors—Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which—arrive with startling news regarding Meg and Charles Wallace's father. Mr. Murray, a brilliant scientist engaged in top-secret government research, has mysteriously vanished, leaving his family searching for answers. The arrival of these cosmic entities sets the children on an extraordinary, universe-spanning quest to rescue their father from the clutches of unimaginable danger. To cross the vast expanses of the cosmos, the children learn to travel via a tesseract, a miraculous wrinkle in time and space that allows them to fold the universe and journey across distant galaxies in an instant. Their destination is the bleak and ominous planet of Camazotz, a chilling world where freedom of thought has been ruthlessly erased and conformity reigns supreme under the thumb of a malevolent dark force. As the young heroes navigate this terrifying landscape, they quickly realize that the stakes extend far beyond merely rescuing Mr. Murray. They are thrust into a monumental cosmic battle between the forces of light and love versus a suffocating darkness that threatens to consume not only their family, but the entire universe. Throughout their perilous journey, the children must rely on their unique individual strengths, deep familial bonds, and the power of love to resist the mind-controlling grip of the evil entity. L'Engle's ground-breaking narrative masterfully weaves complex theoretical concepts like space-time manipulation with profound spiritual and emotional themes, creating an unforgettable adventure that resonates deeply with both children and adults. It is a timeless exploration of courage, the beauty of individuality, and the enduring truth that love is the most powerful force in existence, capable of piercing through the deepest shadows.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Ground-breaking blend of science fiction, fantasy, and philosophical themes
Engaging, relatable protagonist in Meg Murry
Imaginative concepts like the tesseract and interplanetary travel
Timeless messages about love, individuality, and courage
⚠️ Cons
Pacing can occasionally feel abstract or difficult for very young readers
Some secondary plot elements wrap up very quickly
✍️ About the Author
Madeleine L'Engle (1918-2007) was an American author best known for 'A Wrinkle in Time', a Newbery Medal-winning classic of children's science fiction.
View all books →❓ FAQ
What is the main premise of A Wrinkle in Time? +
Three otherworldly creatures take Meg Murry, her brother Charles Wallace, and their friend Calvin on a mission across space and time to rescue her missing father.
How do the characters travel across the universe? +
They travel using a tesseract, which is a wrinkle that transports a person across space and time instantly.
Where is Mr. Murray being held captive? +
He is being held captive on the planet Camazotz, which is threatened by a dark force.
Who are the mysterious visitors who help the children? +
The children are assisted by three otherworldly creatures named Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which.
What major awards and recognition has the book received? +
It is a Newbery Medal winner, is listed among Time magazine's 100 best fantasy books of all time, and inspired a major motion picture from Disney.
