The Time Machine

Jeff’s heart raced. He didn’t expect a casual bike ride to transport him right back to his childhood 30 years ago. It was so clear: a Friday in fall right before a long, carefree weekend. Just like today. In that second, he realized everything was different, but in three decades nothing had really changed.

she arranged to meet the girls. “Well, isn’t that just what it’s all about? … We had the most lovely little conversation.”

More than 50 years after its release, the book still resonates with young readers. Margaret wonders about getting her period, what it’s like to kiss a boy, and whether she’ll be liked in her new neighborhood.

My own 10-year-old girls devoured the book in a few hours. They read it again. And again. A barrage of questions quickly followed, and so did plenty of good conversation. Just as it was for me back in fourth grade, the book is still a talker — though I admit the chatter back then was more among my friends than with my mom.

The movie is a talker, too. Mueller says neighbors bonded over the shared experience of witnessing a major film production. “It was like a movie family. It was just this lovely thing, everyone was so kind.”

Mueller can’t wait to see the film with her neighbors. She’s betting if the crew can make it “snow” in Charlotte, there’s a good chance they captured the magic of Judy Blume’s groundbreaking book. SP

Want to see the movie? Join SouthPark at AMC Park Terrace on May 2. Enter for your chance to win a pair of free movie tickets.