When I was an older kid, A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle was my favorite book. I loved the subtle, almost platonic romance between Meg and Calvin. I loved the way ideas about God, good and evil, scale, science, and truth were woven into the story.

The book was imaginative. The protagonist was a misfit who was still learning to be comfortable with being different. I read it a number of times in my tweens and early teens, and consumed all of L’Engles other books as well. While I enjoyed all of them, A Wrinkle in Time remained my favorite.

L’Engle’s books are probably the only ones I have read multiple times. The stories are so good that even though life is usually too short for reading books more than once, I made an exception for L’Engle’s.

Netflix has had the new movie adaptation of A Wrinkle in Time up for a while, and I wanted to read my old favorite one more time before I watched the adaptation. Even though I hadn’t gotten around to re-readng it yet, the Chaplain and I decided to just go ahead and watch it one night – and one of the early scenes in the Murrys’ kitchen with white curtains at the windows caught my attention. I knew in the books the curtains had been graphic and colorful, and so I picked up the book and started reading to see what else they had changed about the story.

This was my first time reading the book as an adult. The cosmic scale of it still appealed to me. The characters were lovable and complex. I found there were some parts of the plot that didn’t sit quite right with me as a grown up that hadn’t bothered me at all as a kid.

One thing about the movie that I didn’t like (other than the portrayal of the Mrs’s as young – in the book they very old and their human forms reflect that), was the very end.

While the movie ending reflected our current cultural standards of kids- before-adult/parent relationship, the book reflected what I think is a healthier standard – marriage relationship before kids. I won’t describe it exactly because I don’t want to spoil the movie or the book for those who haven’t read or seen them yet, but when you read the book or see the movie, you’ll know what I mean.

The Chaplain and I don’t usually make a habit of watching kid’s movies and shows. This exception was because I knew the movie would be a visual treat (it was), and because it was based on a beloved book. There is something to be said for watching a movie of that genre though – with adult characters with meaningful roles and clean content, it didn’t leave us feeling like we needed to take a shower afterward like the grown up shows that are being churned out these days so often do. It also didn’t feel too juvenile.

I like working YA and middle grade lit into my reading several times a year because the books tend to be clean and the writing is often fantastic. They feel like a mental break from some of the heavier reading I do, and are wonderful for the imagination.

My next goal is to read the book aloud to my kids. I know my girls especially will love Calvin and Meg and the Mrs.’s. The kids will understand the dynamics of a house with four kids in it. The battle of good and evil will appeal to their need for justice. The suspense will pull them in.

But even if you don’t have kids to read this one to, this is an allegory for faith doesn’t shy away from scientific ideas. With its theme of light and darkness, it’s the perfect winter read for the wait until the sun shines generously on the Northeast again.