4.5/5 (kids book rating)

This book had so many good nuggets that made it one of my favorites as a child. The themes of standing up to evil, being proud of being a nerd and different, and feeling strong and brave in the face of things that seem so overwhelmingly beyond you resonate with me still as an adult. As a child, I often felt like Meg - outcast, ashamed of being smart, and unliked even though I had a supportive loving family. I also had a little brother who I was (and am) protective of. And of course as a child already I was a sci-fi lover. I remember reading it in one sitting the first time I read it.

It was one of my mother’s favorite books as a kid which is why she bought it for me in the first place. Reading it now I’m shocked by how much has changed and yet how much has stayed the same since the 60s. The science has progressed and yet the evil that Meg, Charles, and Calvin fight in the book is still present today as it was then.

One thing I didn’t realize as a kid was the pervading Christian theme. As an adult I generally shy away from this but as a kid growing up in the Baptist Church I had no issues. The overall theme of a god is interesting in the context of the book and it’s thought provoking now. I think when my children read it, it will be interesting to see what they think.

Can’t wait to re-read the whole series. Looking forward to seeing the movie.

Read if you like: kids books, female main characters, sci-fi/fantasy, travel to different planets, aliens, absolute morality.