An unearthly midnight visitor takes Meg, Calvin, and Charles across the barriers of space and time to another world

- Science fiction.

Meg Murry, her brother Charles Wallace, and their friend Calvin must journey through space and time to rescue Meg's father from IT, the sinister force controlling the planet of Camazotz. Will Meg be strong enough to battle IT? What does Mrs. Whatzit mean when she tells Meg that she will need all her faults on this perilous journey?

A Wrinkle In Time is a perennial favorite among readers young and old. It is a fascinating blend of science, fantasy, and science fiction woven into the story of siblings embarking on a very unusual mission. Meg's father, Mr. Murry, is a government-employed scientist who is exploring tessering, a new way to travel through space and time. When he attempts to use this new mode of travel, his inexperience lands him on a dark planet, far from the earth. Although he is not completely overcome, Mr. Murry is soon imprisoned by IT, an ally of the the cold, dark, despair-filled shadow (The Black Thing) that is gradually overshadowing more and more of the universe, and trying to increase its hold on the creatures of the universe. While the progress of The Black Thing sometimes appears inexorable, there are bright spots across the unverse as inhabitants fighting for good battle the shadow of The Black Thing. One day, mysterious strangers who call themselves Mrs. Whatzit, Mrs. Who and Mrs. Which appear in the Murry's neighborhood disguised as tramps living in an abandoned house. They are actually powerful creatures sent to help Mr. Murry. Their hope is that, if he can see his children, Mr. Murry will summon the willpower needed to do for them what he cannot do for himself alone. Mrs. Whatzit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which have come to take Meg, Charles Wallace, and Calvin across the universe on a rescue mission that becomes so much more than the difficult, but straightforward, journey they thought they were undertaking.

The young characters are well-drawn, well-developed, and believable: Meg, the adolescent misfit and math whiz; Charles Wallace, the "dumb" but uncannily intuitive younger brother; Calvin, the popular sporty boy at Meg's high school. How will these three disparate personalities work together on their mission? What will they discover?

1. What talents, abilities or characteristics does each child (Meg, Charles Wallace, and Calvin) possess at the time they embark on their journey? How do each child's abilities or personality hinder or help him during the journey? 2. Who did you think was the most interesting creature they met on their journey? Why? 3. What do you think it would be like to live on Camazotz? What would you give up? What would you gain? Would it be a good trade-off? Is there anywhere like Camazotz on earth?

In addition to A Wrinkle in Time, The Wrinkle In Time Quintet includes A Wind in the Door; A Swiftly Tilting Planet; Many Waters; and An Acceptable Time.

Centralization (like Camazotz): The Giver by Lois Lowry

A Wrinkle in Time was awarded the Newbery Medal in 1963.