A Wrinkle in Time Book- A Timeless Classic for Kids

A wrinkle in time movie was a cool inspiration from A wrinkle in time book. Madeleine L’Engle gives this book her best by creating a time travel tale that uses science. The most outstanding part is that readers can feel the emotions and the simple things that make us human. 

The unique story is catchy for anyone that loves an adventurous read. Yet, it can feel complex for younger readers. It employs scientific knowledge and principles to create a viable story that curious minds will find enthralling. 

The book can be difficult to read and understand for many readers. What a bummer? In this post, we help you understand the timeless classic A wrinkle in time by Madeleine L’Engle. 

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle is a timeless classic that combines science fiction and fantasy, time travel, and cosmic evil. The novel follows Meg Murry, her brother Charles Wallace, and their friend Calvin as they embark on a journey across the universe to find their father who is experimenting with time travel. 

Along the way, the children are assisted by three mysterious women, Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which, who guide and equip them to battle IT, a disembodied brain that represents evil on the planet Camazotz.

The novel delves into themes surrounding conformity, scientific responsibility, and the power of love, which are relevant even today. The novel won the Newbery Medal in 1963, which further contributed to its acclaim. The title of the book itself refers to a “tesseract,” which is a wrinkle in time and space, adding an intellectual and profound dimension to the story that has captured the minds of readers of all ages over the decades.

Madeleine L'Engle's vision for A Wrinkle in Time was a groundbreaking science fiction and fantasy adventure, which continues to enchant readers to this day. The book forms part of L'Engle's "Time Quintet" series, one of over 60 books she wrote throughout her career. Interestingly, L'Engle herself had a lot in common with the main character in A Wrinkle in Time, Meg. For instance, L'Engle was shy and struggled in school. She grew up on a farm in rural New England, similar to the Murrys in the book. However, her fascination for math enabled her to develop the concept of the "fifth dimension of time," which allowed her to present the idea of time travel in a mathematically interesting way, which has contributed to the novel's enduring popularity.

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle is a science-fantasy novel for young adults that tells the story of Meg Murry, her brother Charles Wallace, and their friend Calvin as they embark on a journey through space and time to find their lost father. The novel won the Newbery Medal in 1963 and combines theology, fantasy, and science to battle a cosmic evil. Meg's father had gone missing while working on the tesseract problem for the government. Assisted by three eccentric women, the children travel to the planet Camazotz to find him. They face various challenges such as unthinking conformity and scientific irresponsibility. A Wrinkle in Time explores the importance of love and the need to overcome conformity and use scientific knowledge responsibly in order to conquer true evil.

Here is a look into every chapter in the book. We analyzed each chapter to help break down what to expect as you read the first book. 

Chapter 1: Mrs. Whatsit

The book begins with Meg Murry, a young girl who is struggling in school and coping with the disappearance of her father, a scientist who vanished while working on a top-secret project for the government. Meg's life changes when she meets Mrs. Whatsit, a strange and mysterious woman who tells her about a tesseract, a wrinkle in time and space that could allow Meg to travel through time and space.

Meg's younger brother, Charles Wallace, reveals that he has also met Mrs. Whatsit and introduces Meg to another strange woman named Mrs. Who, who speaks in quotations from famous writers and thinkers. Together, the three women reveal that Meg's father is being held captive by a dark force known as "The Black Thing."

The children travel through the tesseract to the planet Uriel, where they meet the three Mrs. Ws and witness the power of The Dark Thing, a malevolent force that is spreading throughout the universe.

The children travel to the planet Camazotz, where they hope to find Meg's father. However, they quickly discover that Camazotz is a terrifying place controlled by a mysterious man with red eyes who seems to control everything and everyone. They also encounter IT, a sinister and powerful being that is part of The Black Thing.

The children are transported to another planet, where they meet Aunt Beast, a gentle and nurturing alien who helps them heal from their wounds and understand the nature of The Black Thing. They learn that The Black Thing is a manifestation of evil and that they must use the power of love to defeat it.

The children continue their journey to find Meg's father and meet a woman named The Happy Medium, who shows them visions of their loved ones and helps them understand the importance of balance in the universe.

The children return to Camazotz, where they are once again confronted by the man with red eyes. This time, Meg is able to use her love for her father to resist his control and free him from captivity.

Meg, Charles Wallace, and Calvin journey through a transparent column to the planet where The Black Thing is located. There, they meet Mrs. Which, who helps them understand the nature of The Black Thing and gives them the courage to face it.

The children arrive on the planet where IT resides and confront IT once again. Meg is able to resist IT's control and uses her love to save Charles Wallace, who has been absorbed by IT.

Meg is injured during the fight with IT and is taken care of by Aunt Beast on the planet Ixchel. There, Meg learns about the power of love and the importance of accepting her own faults and strengths.

Meg, Charles Wallace, and Calvin travel through a fifth-dimensional tesseract to confront The Black Thing and restore balance to the universe.

Meg and her father return home, where they are welcomed back by their family and friends. Meg learns to embrace her unique qualities and appreciate the power of love and light in the world.

A Wrinkle in Time, written by Madeleine L'Engle, explores various themes and symbols that have captured readers' imaginations for over 50 years. The book blends fantasy, science, and theology to investigate issues of conformity and scientific irresponsibility. The story follows Meg, Charles Wallace, and Calvin, as they embark on an adventure through space and time to find Meg's father, a scientist who went missing while studying time travel. The book is part of the Time Quintet series, which follows the Murry family through various intergalactic adventures. Some of the symbols used in the book include the tesseract, a wrinkle in time, and the three eccentric women, Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which. Ultimately, A Wrinkle in Time explores the power of love, which proves to be a potent force in the story's resolution.

Characters

Meg is the protagonist of the story and the eldest of the Murry children. She is intelligent, stubborn, and insecure, and struggles with feelings of inadequacy and not fitting in with her peers. However, she is also fiercely loyal and protective of her family, especially her younger brother Charles Wallace. Throughout the book, Meg learns to embrace her flaws and recognize her strengths, ultimately becoming a confident and brave heroine.

Charles Wallace is Meg's younger brother and a child prodigy with a deep intuition and a telepathic ability to communicate with others. He is portrayed as wise beyond his years, and serves as a guide to the other characters as they travel through the different worlds. However, Charles Wallace is also vulnerable to manipulation and is eventually taken over by the evil force known as IT.

Calvin is a popular and confident boy who befriends Meg and Charles Wallace. He is from a large, happy family but feels disconnected from them and is drawn to the Murrys' warmth and closeness. Calvin is brave and resourceful, and his friendship with Meg is an important source of support and encouragement for her throughout their journey.

These three characters are the mysterious beings who guide Meg, Charles Wallace, and Calvin on their quest to rescue Mr. Murry. They are depicted as powerful and otherworldly, but also warm and nurturing, and provide the children with guidance, support, and encouragement as they face their fears and overcome obstacles.

Meg and Charles Wallace's father, who is a scientist and has been missing for some time. He is a brilliant but flawed character, who has been trapped on a distant planet by the evil force known as the IT. Mr. Murry serves as a motivation for Meg and the other characters to undertake their perilous journey to rescue him and restore him to his family.

Since its publication in 1962, A Wrinkle in Time has received positive reviews and several awards. The New York Times, Smithsonian Magazine, and other publications have praised the book for its engaging plot, captivating use of cosmology, and memorable characters. In 2017, A Wrinkle in Time received the Mathical Hall of Fame Book award for ages 8-10 and 11-13, adding to the many awards it has received over the years.

The novel won the Newbery Medal for excellence in children’s literature in 1963. The original novel was a blend of theology, fantasy, and science fiction and follows the adventure of Meg, Charles Wallace, and Calvin on a journey through space and time to search for Meg's lost father. Over the years, there have been many adaptations of the novel, including a graphic novel, a stage play, and a TV movie.

In 2018, the first book was adapted for a feature film featuring famous stars like Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, and Mindy Kaling. Despite mixed reviews, the novel's themes of conformity, scientific responsibility, and the power of love continue to resonate with readers and viewers alike, making it a timeless class

A Wrinkle in Time is a great book to read over and over again. With its stunning portrayal of the power of love and the ability to overcome evil, it is no wonder that it has continued to be an iconic novel for the last 60 years.

Let Ace my Homework help you with different aspects of A wrinkle in Time and other classic books. Register if you need any help with your Literature assignments.