First read: circa 1999 
 Second read: December 2015 
 - Calvin is 14 - last time I read this, I remember 14 seeming so mature and old! 
 - Shakespearean homages (three witchy ladies bubbling a pot; dog named Fortinbras; "when shall we three meet again") 
 - dated slang, but supremely readable prose 
 - the beginnings of childish independence, faith in abilities apart from parents, acknowledgement that parents are not omnipotent 
 - plays to a kind of childish wish fulfillment - e.g. my dad is missing, but mom has faith he'll return; it's all because he's embroiled in some grand, mystical scheme 
 - all the characters are so kind, quirky, and appealing: Mrs. Whatsit/Who/Which; Aunt Beast and her (its?) tentacles of great comfort 
 - the Declaration of Independence works against communistic sameness / evil 
 - Lots of Christian references: free will; eternity; the power of love; a capitalized and unspecified "He" on the power of great good; the Black Thing and universal evil / lack of love; "We will be near you; we will be watching you. But you will not be able to see us or ask us for help..."