When You Reach Me Chapter 8: Mom’s Rules for Life in New York City Summary & Analysis

Mom has four rules she and Miranda follow. This first is to always have your key in your hand before you get to your apartment building. The second is to never go inside if a stranger is hanging out in front of the door. The third is to keep a lookout and unobtrusively avoid dangerous, drunk, or strange-acting individuals by crossing the street. The fourth is to never show money in public. Miranda has another trick she uses, too: if she sees someone who looks scary, she makes herself ask them what time it is. It’s her way of saying “I see you as a friend” and letting them know that she’s not worth mugging, since she doesn’t even have a watch. Thus far, it’s never failed her—and she’s discovered that most people aren’t really scary.

As Richard suggested in an earlier chapter, keys are powerful objects because they provide access. But Mom sees them not just as powerful because they grant access, but also because they fend off harm. She’s always alert to dangers, even when there’s no sign of trouble to the naked eye. But the rules also help readers to understand some of the dangers in 1970s New York City, where the book is set, especially for unguarded children and single women. It’s not an easy place to be growing up. Note that Miranda’s approach is different than her mother’s. Instead of creating space between herself and others who might be potentially scary, she collapses that distance and turns potential foes into potential friends.

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When You Reach Me: Chapter 8: Mom’s Rules for Life in New York City Summary & Analysis