Yesterday, I revisited one of the most beloved books of my childhood: Madeleine L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time. First published in 1962, this sci-fi fantasy classic has enchanted readers for generations, and for good reason! While it’s since been adapted into a Disney+ film (which I still haven’t gotten around to watching), nothing compares to the power of the original novel.

For me, Meg Murry was the first character I ever truly saw myself in. Her unruly brown hair, glasses-and-braces combo, and stubborn streak were all things I could deeply relate to. (As a kid, I was even told I had “oppositional defiant disorder,” so Meg’s fierce independence and resistance to authority really hit home.) From the very first pages, Meg stands out – not just for her awkwardness, but for her unwavering loyalty and deep desire to protect the ones she loves.

Her family is far from ordinary. Both of her parents are brilliant scientists, and years before the story begins, her father vanishes without a trace on a secret government mission. His disappearance becomes the subject of local gossip, turning Meg and her family into misfits. Her youngest brother Charles Wallace is especially misunderstood; seen by the townspeople as “dumb” for not being able to speak outside of his home yet, when in fact, he’s a precocious five-year-old who’s actually more eloquent than most adults.

The story kicks off when Charles Wallace introduces Meg to three mysterious women, Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which, who have taken up residence in the spooky old “haunted” house nearby. Joined by Calvin, a popular boy from school who feels inexplicably drawn to Meg and her brother, the trio embarks on a journey through space and time to uncover the truth about Mr. Murry’s disappearance… and confront a growing darkness threatening the universe itself.

A Wrinkle in Time is more than just a sci-fi adventure – it’s a philosophical meditation on love, identity, and the battle between light and shadow. L’Engle weaves in powerful quotes, scientific theories, and historical references that give this book a depth that still surprises me years later. It’s a rare story that speaks to both children and adults in different ways at different times in life.

Reading it again yesterday, curled up on a rainy afternoon, brought me right back to middle school in the best way. It’s a short read (just a few hours cover-to-cover), and my current paperback edition even came with a bonus author Q&A section, perfect for book clubs of all ages. Plus, it’s only $5 on Amazon right now, so there’s no reason not to pick it up!

This was the book that introduced me to sci-fi as a genre, and it sparked a lifelong love for stories that bend time, space, and reality. If you haven’t read A Wrinkle in Time yet, I genuinely can’t recommend it enough. Of all the books I’ve featured on the blog, this one might be the most special to me and I very strongly urge you to give it a shot!

What was your favorite book growing up? Let me know in the comments below!