A Wrinkle In Time

Directed by John Kent Harrison. (2004) Walt Disney Home Entertainment. Rated PG. B0002VEX64.

PLOT SUMMARY

Meg is an emotional teenager struggling to deal with the unexplained disappearance of her father over a year ago. She has a special bond with her youngest brother Charles Wallace, who has special abilities that allow both them and a friend Calvin to "Tesseract" into another world/space/time. They must conquer the darkness that threatens to envelope that world in order to rescue their father.

CRITICAL EVALUATION

The hardship that Meg experiences during her father's absence is extreme, but she is able to pull it together for the sake of her mother and her youngest brother. Strong willed and emotional, her spirit enables her to focus on the task at hand and accomplish what she has set out to do.

The budding romance between her and her friend Calvin is sweet, and the sense of responsiblity she shows toward her family makes her a good heroine and role model.

The special effects were somewhat cheesy, and sometimes downright unattractive/unappealing, but the story itself, and the likeability of the characters make it entertaining for audiences.

READER'S ANNOTATION

Growing up without a father is difficult, but for Meg the oldest girl out of three boys, her father's sudden disappearance was especially hard. Luckily, she shares a special bond with her youngest brother Charles Wallace who for no apparent reason, will speak to no one outside the family. When Calvin, a popular teen boy in their town, shows up, Charles Wallace suddenly finds reason to speak to another person outside the family, and outside the voices in his head. When these voices materialize, the transient beings take them on a journey to rescue their missing father and make their family whole again.

GENRE

Fantasy/Adventure

CURRICULUM TIES

Scientists should be able to test and retest, check and recheck their work before doing anything that could possibly put themselves or others in jeopardy. Create a research project related to the story that incorporates this idea and the necessity for fact checking.

Compare/contrast the book with the movie.

BOOKTALKING IDEAS

How is the relationship between Meg and Charles Wallace beneficial to them both? How would you deal with the sudden disappearance of a person close to you?

READING LEVEL/INTEREST AGE

10-16

CHALLENGE ISSUES

none

WHY INCLUDE THIS MOVIE?

The close relationships between Meg and Charles Wallace and Meg and her father help create a story and situations that would interest an audience.