I expected to love this book. My expectations may have been detrimental to my reading experience. I do intend to read it again with my children, in a couple years when they can properly appreciate the plot. 
 What I enjoyed most about the book, was imagining the possible discussions I will have with my children over these pages. It is a story about good and evil, when boiled down to its essence, although it also balances between science and religion. I appreciate that the villain is fairly ambiguous, and cannot even be properly named. It is nothing more than "IT"; a vague black cloud, poisoning minds with forced conformity. 
 Conforming, however, is something that our quirky heroes will never do. I really loved the trio of children: Calvin, Meg and little Charles Wallace. Meg and Charles Wallace are born square pegs, and Calvin has always done his best to fit in - but finds it brings him no happiness. These are true role models for children, as they learn to embrace their differences.