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Write Letters here: Dear Mady, Anya and Zach, I know that I havent written much so I hope this makes up for it.

The book made sense to me after miranda's mom wins the money, because it explains about the laughing man and sal and about the time traveling. I think that is the **climax** of the story because you know what the book is about after you read that part. I think that the family deserved the money too becuase based on the door that always has to be locked, they live in a not so good part of new york city. But with the money they could live in a better area.

The part about when the laughing man dies is very confusing to me though, because Im not sure how you can die and still be alive and save your own life, although it happend. But I think miranda is convinced time travel is possible when she is under the mailbox and reads the laughing mans note and sees his picture he drew.She knows because the laughig man writes everything that happens before it happens so she knows that the laughing man knows what is happening. Also I think she gets a clue about about time travel when marcus and julia talk about it.

My favorite part of the book is when Miranda and Julia become friends, because miranda understands what she is feeling when she sees sal at the school concert thing, and she sees the way julia looks at Annemaria, becasue miranda knows she is jelouse and misses being friends with her, the way miranda feels about sal. I think it iis really nice that miranda does that after everything julia has done to her. I think that really shows you alot about miranda's character.

The one thing I wish would've happened is that jimmy reilized that they didnt steal the money because they were good friends and that was sad to me that they didnt make up. Jimmys character was sort-of important because of the 2 dollar bills problem.

Overall this book was very intesting and it seemed very realistic besides the time travel, but it would appeal to most audiances over 6th or 7th grade. I would also recommend it to anyone over 7th grade.

-Ben Dear Anya, Ben, and Zach,

So I finally finished the book and it all makes sense. The only part I'm confused on is, does Marcus know he time traveled and that he'll be the laughing man when he's old? That was unclear to me. And now I understand why Sal and Miranda weren't friends for awhile, and I get what he means by sometimes he likes to be with his guy friends. I would have never thought that the reason he always laid with his head under the mail box was like a sign to show Miranda that he left a drawing of Juila their. I don't know how she put all that together. Like when her mom wins the money, everything like comes together.

I have two favorite parts of this book. The first one is when the laughing man kicks Sal out of the way of the truck. It was so sudden and confusing but now that I read the end it makes so much sense. The other part I like is when the police come and say there looking for Marcus. When they were waiting in the dentists office on Miranda's mom, it's so exciting to see what's going to happen. And it wasn't Marcus's fault so I like that her mom was there to make that clear.

Anya, I think that sense he's the time traveler, so Marcus is the laughing man. The laughing man died, but he still is alive and saved his own like because Marcus is alive and didn't get hit by the truck because he saw it. But that does mean he's dead and alive.

I also found out Colin didn't steal the money from Jimmys, it was the laughing man. Or Marcus i guess. But I don't understand how the laughing man knew all of this would happen before it did. Did he already go through it sense he traveled into the future? Or did he just like know?

I love books like this because after you read a little bit of it, it's almost like you have to finish it because if you don't your left with so many questions. I would definitely recommend this to other kids our age.

-Mady

Dear Mady, Zach, and Ben, 1/22/11

I just read the part where Miranda got the last note. I can't believe that Sal was going to get hit by a truck! But because of that part I figured a lot out. You guys know how in one of my earlier notes I said that I think the time traveler and the laughing man is Marcus. Now I'm positive it's him. If Marcus is the time traveler and the laughing man it would make sense why he seemed familiar to Miranda when she gave him the sandwich from Jimmy's. Also when Sal is walking home and the boys at the garage start messing with him, I know why Marcus starts running up to Sal trying to get him to stop. It's to save Sal's life and his own. If he is the time traveler he would know that that whole situation was already going to happen. And to stop it he had to stop Sal so he, the laughing man, wouldn't have to jump if front of that truck to save Sal's life or his own! He knew what was going to happen which is why he tried stopping Sal. It was like he knew that he was going to die. Which is why i think he was crying so hard when the laughing man got hit. He saw himself die. But if he is the time traveler I don't know how he expects Miranda to write him a letter considering he just died?

Also when Miranda is sitting on her bed trying to figure out what all the notes mean, everything I said is starting to make sense! Because the laughing man did save Sal's life, but he didn't save his own. I was thinking though, if Marcus is the time traveler how is he still alive, when he died on the street trying to save Sal's life? Does that mean that he could still grow up? Technically he is alive but dead.

When Miranda goes and visits Sal, I feel kinda bad for her. I think Sal could have been more nice about things when he explained everything. But I understand what he was saying, I wouldn't want to have just one friend. Miranda was totally clueless about everything though. I don't understand how she didn't get the hints that Sal was leaving her, because when she went through them in her head they seemed pretty obvious. I'm glad they are back to "normal" again. I don't think they will be exactly the same as they were before, I almost feel like Sal was in some way pushing Miranda way.

I feel bad for Marcus considering that the police want to arrest him. What Miranda was saying in the book though does make sense. If Marcus never ran toward Sal in the first place wouldn't they both be alive? But then again the time traveler knew that Marcus was going to run towards Sal, maybe he knew but Marcus didn't. Even though they're the same person. Because the laughing man who is actually Marcus and the time traveler, since he is the time traveler he would know that that situation was going to happen, but Marcus wouldn't because he wasn't the laughing man at that moment. He was Marcus so he didn't know. It was almost like what Marcus had been saying before. "if you got home five minutes before you left, you would've seen yourself get back home before you even know you were going." I think thats what the laughing man and Marcus were doing, so the laughing man knew that Sal was going to get hit by a truck, which is why he had to save his life. If you guys find anything out about the whole time traveling situation please say so! -Anya

Dear Mady, Zach, and Ben, 1/21/11 I was pretty surprised that Miranda went over to Annemarie's house over Christmas break, considering what happened at Jimmy's. Annemarie seemed pretty mad. I don't think she was necessarily mad at Colin and Miranda, just more mad at Jimmy and the whole situation. But when Miranda called Annemarie's house, i thought that was brave. I would've been scared. And then she went over to her house! Annemarie was totally fine though, which is good because I didn't like when them two were fighting. I feel like Annemarie is Miranda's like only girl friend that she has.

Oh and when Miranda opens her present from Richard, and its the book __A Wrinkle in Time,__ it's signed by the author. "Miranda, Tesser well. -Madeline L'Engle." Miranda says that this is the second proof because in the second note it said Tesser well. What does that even mean? I've tried looking it up but all i can find is stuff about that book. So if you guys know what it means please say so. Right now its not making any sense to me.

When Miranda and her class were watching the music show with the violins and she realized that she is just like Julia to Sal as Julia is to Annemarie. I thought that was so weird because Julia and Miranda are what seems to be nothing alike. But that fact that they both have those best friends, but something is standing in their way for the friend to see how much they really care about them I think is weird. When i read it i was starting to wonder whats standing in the way between Sal and Miranda. For Julia it's Miranda which is probably why she is so mean to her. I mean Miranda pretty much stole Julia's best friend. I would be pretty mad too. I don't understand why Miranda wrote that note to Annemarie saying TRUCE with her phone number. What is she going to do with that? I was surprised that when Julia called, Miranda agreed to go over and make a cake for Annemarie. But i guess since it was for Annemarie she did. Also them two are really alike. I think Miranda realized that when she went over to Julia's house. I thought it was weird how they read the same book and they have both probably read more than 100 times, seeming how beat up it is. I would have never guessed that Miranda and Julia would be that much alike though.

I was so shocked that Colin kissed Miranda though! That came out of no where. I was not expecting it at all and when he did it was like "Oh okay, I'm gonna kiss you and then leave." I guess Colin did have a think for Miranda all along. -Anya

Dear Mady, Zach, and Ben, 1/19/11

I read more and the book is actually starting to make sense to me! Although the third note still isn’t making sense, I think I figured something out! When Miranda gives the laughing man the sandwich she made at Jimmy’s, the man started saying really weird things that didn’t seem of anything. It’s exactly what you would expect from a crazy man, as Miranda made it seem. But I looked at again and thought about. I think the laughing man is someone that Miranda knows now, or did. It gets confusing because the whole time travel thing, but that make the time travel in the book make sense! She said the man seemed to look familiar. So it’s almost like she knew him before. When he said, “Rain is no protection.I’m and old man and she’s gone now. So don’t worry, okay?” I’m wondering who he could be talking about? Also since I think he is someone knew or knows, I think the laughing man is Marcus, Colin, or Sal. I mostly leaning towards Marcus though because said he likes to see the reactions of things, and talks about time travel.I hope I find out more when I read.

The incident that happened at Jimmy’s with Julia. I didn’t understand at first, but now I do!I had no idea that Jimmy was racist. I also didn’t know that Julia was black. It makes sense though now, why Miranda calls her Swiss Miss. Annemarie seemed to get really mad over that whole thing too. Don’t get me wrong I would be mad if someone said that about my best friend, but I thought Annemarie didn’t like Julia that much. I think she is mean, and judges but I guess I’m wrong. If you find anything out please say so in your letters, thanks! -Anya

Mady, Anya and Ben, 1/17/11

Okay I have a few thing that are crazy such as the naked man and the laughing man. Lime if you were walking downtown and you saw that I would never want to come back. She gets all these weird letter that make now sense imagine getting mail from a person you don't know.Anya, I found out that Annemarie has epilepsy. I am kind of confused on what that means. Yes, I think Julia is really mean. She takes advantage of people. I think she is really smart and that why she is mean because she don't want people to see who she really is.

Anya when they were talking about time machines I think they actually did time travel. when Julia explained it because i think she felt bad even though she is really mean to her I think she felt bad but I don't get that.

I agree anya this book has so many things that are weird. zach

Dear Everyone,

Although this book is very strange I think it’s interesting, if you have finished the book there is time travel involved and the laughing man is very important to the story and he will change the plot. I think that Colin and Miranda will date because Annemarie is doesn’t like Colin. Anya, the third note is trying to prove to Miranda that she should write the letter. I think the part when Sal almost dies is very dramatic because the laughing man sacrifices himself for Sal, and when Miranda sits under the mailbox and sees the words written that describe what was happening. Also after the crash Miranda sees the old man’s shoes and knows that he was the one that got into her apartment because the shoes were Richards, which got stolen. I think I am the only one that has finished so I might have spoiled the book. -Ben

Mady, Zach, and Ben, 1/17/11 There are so many weird things going on in this book! First off that whole not thing, is totally weird! If I was Miranda i would be going psycho! I mean think about it, she is getting all these random notes that make no sense what so ever, but the person writing them almost knows everything about her! Also i read and found out that Annemarie has epilepsy, that came totally out of the blue. I didn't even expect that. I have a feeling her and Miranda will become really close. I think that Annemarie and Colin are going to start dating, and Miranda will start feeling left out. Because at Jimmy's she is already kind of an outcast from them two. Miranda is always having to count the roles, while Annemarie and Colin get to make sandwiches. More stuff that makes this story so weird is stuff like the naked man, what is up with him? Do you guys think he will even have anything to do with the story? Oh, and i guess this is kinda cool. On the cover if you look there is a picture of a mailbox and the shadow is shaped like a man. Since the naked man lives under a mailbox i thought that might be him, i just noticed that when i was reading.

I think Julia is really mean, especially to Miranda and Annemarie. But she is surprisingly really smart. When Miranda and Marcus were walking to school and they started talking about time machines, Miranda didn't really understand it, but Julia did and she explained it really well! I thought that was weird because I wouldn't have suspected that. But then again she wasn't very nice while explaining it either. I really think Marcus is going to have a really big part with this whole time travel thing because he seems to know a lot about it. He is really smart too. He seems to have a lot of connections with Miranda too. How they read the same book that Miranda reads over and over, and he almost knows it better than she does. Which is another reason why I think he is the time traveler. But what he said about the reason for punching Sal, I didn't think that made any sense. All he wanted to see was the reaction, first of all why would he want to do that? Second of all what reaction was he expecting anyways? I don't think he knows that what he did really effected Miranda's life though. I guess Marcus thought that it would just effect Sal not Miranda. But that's when he didn't know Miranda either. So i don't really know. I feel bad for Miranda though.

Even though the first and second note didn't really make sense, I think the third note Miranda received did not make sense whatsoever. "//You will want proof. 3 p.m. today: Colin's knapsack. Christmas Day: Tesser well. April 27th: Studio TV-15. P.S. Yawns do serve a purpose. They cool the brain by bringing air high into the nasal passage, which has the effect of increasing alertness.//" All those objects are so random, but I guess thats what this book is all about because everything is just random! The thing about the yawns though, I think that might be telling Miranda to be more alert about the things around her. I don't really know though, because I'm not really sure what she should be paying attention to. The time traveler seems to be paying a lot of attention to little things in Miranda's life that I'm guessing will have importance later on in the book. If it doesn't then I don't think the book will ever make sense. So hopefully they do! If you guys find anything out that will make me understand this book more, PLEASE say so in your letters! -Anya

Anya, Zach, Ben 1/13/11

So I'm still a little behind. And I think maybe back then they didn't really have winter breaks like we did, Zach. I thought it was really mean when Annemarie was mad and insulted Miranda about being poor, like she can help that. And I think in the end, Colin will be the one who stole. I don't think Julia did that. And I think it was really nice that she invited Alice to the bathroom but I don't think I'd do that. I'll post more later tonight.

From Mady

Anya,Mady,Ben 1/10/11

Well, I have been a little behind. But I think I have caught up. Oh and by the way Ben you need to get on more. On page 137 it say a laughing man on the coner wasn't there, wouldn't that be kinda weird walking down town and there is just a guy standing there laughing. Mady I just read that you put that in your letter I know I would go crazy. Also when they got there christmas tree the strung popcorn around it, I would eat it instead or hang it on the tree. "In 1979 there was a new decade but school was just school." I really do not get that. I know school would be the same but why wound they make another concention because we never have school on New Years. On page 153, last pargraph i was really confused. " He took two steps and kissed me and then I kissed back. I don't even know what is happing there!!!!!!!!!!!!! So I went back in the book and found that Sam's mom went on the game show, but she did not win normal in these kind of book they win like all the sports book they always end up winning the big game so I don't know why she didn't win but oh well.

From Zach

Anya, Zach and Ben 1/6/11 My book has been lost all over Christmas break so I'm really behind. But I'm gonna try to post later.

-Mady

anya,mady,ben 1/3/11

I know! I do not understand this at all! I did not get the letter thing. They like addenda the hole game show thing or it hasn't came up. If I was Miranda i would freak out.

zach ps sorry so short i will get on tomorrow

Mady, Zach, and Ben, 1/2/11 I keep reading, but I'm still really confused. I can't seem to figure anything out. When Miranda finds her second note nothing becomes any clearer to me. I don"t even understand who is writing to her. Why do they want a letter so bad too? Or for a story to be told that hasn't even happened yet? If I was Miranda I would be totally freaking out at this point. She is getting letters that aren't signed, and they say the weirdest things! But like in my letter before, I am positive there is time travel in this book. Obviously if the person writing the letters is asking her to write about something that hasn't even yet, he or she has been somewhere where Miranda hasn't yet. Another thing that confuses me though is if the writer of the letters is a time traveler, wouldn't he or she already know what happened in the story they are asking Miranda to write? I don't understand. But i think reading more will help. -Anya

Mady.,anya,ben 12/20

this letter is going to be short! but i figured out the thing were sal got punched in the face. when Sam was taking kids to the denist, he found out that it was a fith grader who punched Sal in the face. but the the thing i dont understand is then why sal is made at him. but i am glad i found this out.

zach

mady,anya,ben 12/13

mady i agree! i dont understand this book like it was easy to start out with but it just got confusing. I thought Sam punched Sal in the face and that why they are not friends. Then Miranda was happy they aren't friends and she was really happy with that so she become really good friends. It said early in the book that Sam went over to Miranda house.

From zach sorry so short i will get on latter in the week and write more

Anya, Zach and Ben, 12/11/10 I'm really confused with this book, but I really like it! I don't understand the part when she's talking to someone about writing either. I think it might be to like a teacher something maybe for like an essay. I have no clue. And I think Mirandaand Sal aren't friends anymore because Miranda didn't stick up for him after he got punched, but that's not a reason to not be friends. There must be something we don't know about yet that happened between them. I'm wondering who went into their apartment! I feel like it might be Miranda's mom's boyfriend, or Sal, or Sal's mom. I don't even know who else it would be. And if I ever got a note like that i'd freak out too! My favorite part in the book is when she is waiting in the dentist office at her school with the kid that punched Sal.She finds out that he is actually really smart. He's not what she expected. I think more will happen with Marcus. He seems to know a lot about time travel. He read the same book that Miranda reads over and over, and he has whole different way of looking at things.I like the way he comprehends things differently than her. -Mady

p.s. What's up with the laughing man? That's so weird.

Mady, Ben, and Zach, 12/8/2010 I didn't really think i would like this book, but surprisingly i do! It's really confusing at times though. I don't understand who she is talking about when Miranda say things like, "You asked me to write a letter, and even though I'm not. this is what'd I say." Also why won't she write the letter? Another part i really didn't understand is the reason Miranda and Sal aren't friends anymore. i mean it's not like it's Miranda's fault he got punched in the face. I felt like it was so random that he just decided not to be friends with Miranda anymore. When in the book they seemed to be really close. I just think it's sad that they aren't friends anymore. I want to know if they ever become friends again or not. But i guess I'll have to find that out later in the book. Why did Sal seem so mad at Miranda after he got hurt? You would think they would still be friends because they were so close, their moms are friends, they have to walk the same way to and from school, and Sal lives right below Miranda. I think the part in the book when they put the key in the fire house, and then it went missing on Friday, and Miranda gets that note on Monday is really good. I'm thinking it will play a bigger part in the book. With everything that Miranda is saying about the notes shes gets, how "you" asked her to write you letter, and things seem to be happening as "you" say they will, I think there is a time traveler. It makes no other sense, on how everything with the key that happened, and the game show is the same date and details that her mom got on her postcard. How else would "you" know unless they were a time traveler. Let me know what you think?

-Anya p.s. Why does she always reread the same book?

Mady, Ben, Anya 12/9/10

This book is very good but confusing. I don't get the the Sal thing because it says he got punched in the face and now him and Sam are not friends. Anya i thought it was SAM who got punched in the face and not Miranda. Miranda is the girl who is really good friends with Sal and he went over to her house least that what i thought. i also think the fire key will pay a huge part in the book. I might be a bit behind but how do you think Sam's mom will do in the game show. Her and Richard practice all the time but have you ever thought that they might not even ask the same questions because they never do that in game shows. when Marinda ask Sam to write and a letter and she says 'you' have to and not me i thought that was weird. Anya, i also think that is weird how she got the post card with all the dates and stuff for the game show.

-zach

Zack, Anya, Mady The book is intersting and weirdf but I think she reads the same book because sh edoesnt like change and alot has changed for her, sal and her mom. The book is the letter i think becaus eshe is telling about what happends, but i have no idea why she has to, and who is going to die? i think it might be sal or the girl with epilespy whos name i forget.

-Ben