by Lucy Christopher
Summary:
Gemma was just mad at her parents. She wanted to make them wait a bit before she joined them at the boarding gate for the plane that they were catching. She had no clue that she was giving someone the opportunity they had been waiting for. The opportunity to take her. When she wakes up 2 days later in the middle of the Australian outback, she's going to find herself in the middle of a nightmare.
Review:
Stolen was an extremely creepy yet realistic read. One of the most disturbing things was how easy it would be to kidnap someone in an airport, because with a quick appearance change you can hop on the next plane with no one the wiser fairly simply. The only real flaw in the book is that Gemma develops a personal relationship with Ty, her kidnapper. While Stockholm syndrome is well documented, their relationship seems a little top easy, especially after she finds out he's been stalking her since she was a child. Overall, it's a good book for teens who like suspense.
Genre: Suspense
Age Level: 10th Grade
Showing posts with label Kidnapping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kidnapping. Show all posts
Friday, March 14, 2014
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
The Girl of Fire and Thorns
by Rae Carson
Summary:
Elisa is not your typical princess. Overweight, not graceful, and quick to say what's on her mind, she never thought she'd amount to much. Except she's the bearer of the Godstone, a divine gift which is only bestowed on one person every 100 years. And Godstone bearers each have their own task to complete, though none know what it will be til it happens. Elisa begins the tale as a princess, but what she becomes (though marriage, kidnappings, rebellion and more) is more than she can imagine.
Review:
I started off not really sure about the book as the religious aspects can be a bit much. However, Elisa is one of the most refreshing characters I've encountered in awhile. She's not perfect, and is quite all right with it. The changes she goes through in the book, both physical and mental, are believable and impressive. The story takes several twists you don't see coming, and turns into much more of an adventure story than you might think at first. The book will definitely leave you excited to grab the rest of the trilogy.
Genre: Fantasy Fiction
Age Level: 9th Grade
Summary:
Elisa is not your typical princess. Overweight, not graceful, and quick to say what's on her mind, she never thought she'd amount to much. Except she's the bearer of the Godstone, a divine gift which is only bestowed on one person every 100 years. And Godstone bearers each have their own task to complete, though none know what it will be til it happens. Elisa begins the tale as a princess, but what she becomes (though marriage, kidnappings, rebellion and more) is more than she can imagine.
Review:
I started off not really sure about the book as the religious aspects can be a bit much. However, Elisa is one of the most refreshing characters I've encountered in awhile. She's not perfect, and is quite all right with it. The changes she goes through in the book, both physical and mental, are believable and impressive. The story takes several twists you don't see coming, and turns into much more of an adventure story than you might think at first. The book will definitely leave you excited to grab the rest of the trilogy.
Genre: Fantasy Fiction
Age Level: 9th Grade
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Pretty Girl-13
by Liz Coley
Summary:
If you were kidnapped, wouldn't you do anything to forget? To forget the horrors inflicted upon you? The time you lost? In this engrossing novel, Angie finds herself back at her home after being missing for 3 years. As she struggles to remember what happened, she discovers that her mind has sealed itself off into parts, with different personalities coping with different aspects of her life. There's Girl Scout, who learned to cook and clean for her captor, Angel, who fought back when he hurt her, Little Wife, who's contribution was almost too terrible to talk about, and Tattletale, the one who holds the biggest secret of them all. Angie is going to have to learn to bring them all together inside herself, or risk tearing herself apart trying to learn the truth.
Review:
This book is a fascinating and powerful story that is hard to put down. Angie is a relatable protagonist whose struggles with multiple personality disorder reveal more disturbing aspects of her past. The novel deals not only with kidnapping and the repercussions that has on family, friends and the victim, but also with the aftermath. It's a really great novel to give to anyone who likes suspense novels.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 10th Grade
Summary:
If you were kidnapped, wouldn't you do anything to forget? To forget the horrors inflicted upon you? The time you lost? In this engrossing novel, Angie finds herself back at her home after being missing for 3 years. As she struggles to remember what happened, she discovers that her mind has sealed itself off into parts, with different personalities coping with different aspects of her life. There's Girl Scout, who learned to cook and clean for her captor, Angel, who fought back when he hurt her, Little Wife, who's contribution was almost too terrible to talk about, and Tattletale, the one who holds the biggest secret of them all. Angie is going to have to learn to bring them all together inside herself, or risk tearing herself apart trying to learn the truth.
Review:
This book is a fascinating and powerful story that is hard to put down. Angie is a relatable protagonist whose struggles with multiple personality disorder reveal more disturbing aspects of her past. The novel deals not only with kidnapping and the repercussions that has on family, friends and the victim, but also with the aftermath. It's a really great novel to give to anyone who likes suspense novels.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 10th Grade
Monday, April 8, 2013
Janie Face to Face
by Caroline B Cooney
Summary:
Summary:
We’ve all probably wondered at one point in our life what it
would be like if we weren’t related to the people that raised us. Maybe we are
actually prince’s or princesses, maybe the child of rich billionaires who are
just waiting to rescue us from a life of monotony For Janie, finding out who
her real parents were became a nightmare. A kidnapped child who 13 years later
spotted her own face on a missing children’s ad on a milk carton. A girl who
had to come to terms with what her life has done to two families through no
fault of her own. In this conclusion to the face on the milk carton, we find
out more about the kidnapper herself, and it’s only a matter of time until they
meet again. But this time the chances of a happy ending are slim.
Review:
Janie Face to Face is a great conclusion to the Face on the Milk Carton series. While a bit skeptical, since the last one was written a long time ago, Cooney does a great job of finishing up a series. The book is written for a younger audience, and her attempts to update the book by mentioning modern technology are a bit silly (almost trying too hard), the book overall has the same feel as the rest of the series. It does wrap up the series nicely, with Janie and Reeve finally getting together, but feels a bit too happy ending contrived. It's a good read for fans of the series or younger teens. But for an older teen with no vested interest in the book it won't hold their attention.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 6th Grade
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
The Night She Disappeared
by April Henry
Summary:
Kayla, Gabie and Drew aren't really close friends, but they go to school together, and work together at a pizza place. The night Kayla goes missing on a delivery, Gabie was supposed to be working. Gabie should have been the one delivering that pizza. So now Gabie and Drew are left to wonder not only if Kayla is still alive, but if the killer is waiting to get Gabie next.
Review:
This is a fast paced read that draws readers in quickly. The book alternates between the perspectives of all three characters, which lets you get to know all of them in a different way. Gabie and Drew work to find the kidnapper to save Kayla, which while a little far fetched makes for an exciting plot. It's a good book for teens that like mysteries.
Genre: Mystery
Age Level: 8th Grade
Summary:
Kayla, Gabie and Drew aren't really close friends, but they go to school together, and work together at a pizza place. The night Kayla goes missing on a delivery, Gabie was supposed to be working. Gabie should have been the one delivering that pizza. So now Gabie and Drew are left to wonder not only if Kayla is still alive, but if the killer is waiting to get Gabie next.
Review:
This is a fast paced read that draws readers in quickly. The book alternates between the perspectives of all three characters, which lets you get to know all of them in a different way. Gabie and Drew work to find the kidnapper to save Kayla, which while a little far fetched makes for an exciting plot. It's a good book for teens that like mysteries.
Genre: Mystery
Age Level: 8th Grade
Accomplice
by Eireann Corrigan.
Summary:
Finn and Chloe have done everything right so far. They've done good in school, participate in extracurricular activities, volunteer, basically have done everything that they have been told that would give them an edge to get into a great college. Which is great. Except what they've done thousands of other people have done. They need to do something that really will set them apart, that will really make colleges want them. So they decided to fake Chloe's kidnapping. Finn will play the devastated friend, and when enough time has gone by (and enough media attention) she will help Chloe 'escape' from her 'imprisonment.' But once the plan is set into action Finn is left to see the devastation their ploy wrecks on everyone she cares about, and is forced to see just how far the consequences of the plan extend.
Review:
What I found most interesting, and almost believable, is how far these two girls were willing to go to get an edge on other college applicants. This, more than anything, was the biggest thing that stood out to me. Both girls were responsible and smart students, but the college application process brings out their worst qualities. As outlandish as it is, their plot succeeds in the book, and Finn is left to carry her guilt about deceiving everyone, and ruining a few other peoples futures in the process. It's a good read for teens, any who are going through this process themselves will definitely understand the motives of these girls.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 9th-10th Grade
Summary:
Finn and Chloe have done everything right so far. They've done good in school, participate in extracurricular activities, volunteer, basically have done everything that they have been told that would give them an edge to get into a great college. Which is great. Except what they've done thousands of other people have done. They need to do something that really will set them apart, that will really make colleges want them. So they decided to fake Chloe's kidnapping. Finn will play the devastated friend, and when enough time has gone by (and enough media attention) she will help Chloe 'escape' from her 'imprisonment.' But once the plan is set into action Finn is left to see the devastation their ploy wrecks on everyone she cares about, and is forced to see just how far the consequences of the plan extend.
Review:
What I found most interesting, and almost believable, is how far these two girls were willing to go to get an edge on other college applicants. This, more than anything, was the biggest thing that stood out to me. Both girls were responsible and smart students, but the college application process brings out their worst qualities. As outlandish as it is, their plot succeeds in the book, and Finn is left to carry her guilt about deceiving everyone, and ruining a few other peoples futures in the process. It's a good read for teens, any who are going through this process themselves will definitely understand the motives of these girls.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 9th-10th Grade
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Where I Belong
by Gillian Cross
Summary:
Sent to England to get an education and earn money to help her family back in Somalia, 13 year old Khadija finds herself living with Abdi's family. Abdi wasn't too terribly thrilled about it. He had just lost his father to some sort of accident in Somalia, what exactly it was no one seems to know, and now he has a new 'sister' Khadija, as if taking care of his mother and 2 younger sisters wasn't enough.
Freya knew when her mother got on crazy kicks there was nothing stopping her until she got it all out of her system. Except this time the crazy kick is Somalia. And her mother happens to be one of the most famous fashion designers this century. When her mother sees Khadija she knows she has found the perfect centerpiece for her collection. But what none of them know is what will get set in motion when Khadija is discovered, what devious plots are launched and whose lives will hang in the balance by those they thought they trusted most.
Review:
One of the most interesting things about Where I Belong is that it is narrated in turn by Khadija, Abdi and Freya. They pass the story back and forth in a way that makes it seem like they are right there telling you in person. The book doesn't really touch on any heavy immigration issues (a topic which is quite sensitive in England) but does interestingly talk about the disconnect many immigrants feel to the country they are from when they have never even seen their home country as well as the love many still have when living somewhere else. The book does touch on the problems of Somalia, but also focuses on how it is still a place where people live, and that people love. It's a really good read and great for older tweens.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 8th Grade
Summary:
Sent to England to get an education and earn money to help her family back in Somalia, 13 year old Khadija finds herself living with Abdi's family. Abdi wasn't too terribly thrilled about it. He had just lost his father to some sort of accident in Somalia, what exactly it was no one seems to know, and now he has a new 'sister' Khadija, as if taking care of his mother and 2 younger sisters wasn't enough.
Freya knew when her mother got on crazy kicks there was nothing stopping her until she got it all out of her system. Except this time the crazy kick is Somalia. And her mother happens to be one of the most famous fashion designers this century. When her mother sees Khadija she knows she has found the perfect centerpiece for her collection. But what none of them know is what will get set in motion when Khadija is discovered, what devious plots are launched and whose lives will hang in the balance by those they thought they trusted most.
Review:
One of the most interesting things about Where I Belong is that it is narrated in turn by Khadija, Abdi and Freya. They pass the story back and forth in a way that makes it seem like they are right there telling you in person. The book doesn't really touch on any heavy immigration issues (a topic which is quite sensitive in England) but does interestingly talk about the disconnect many immigrants feel to the country they are from when they have never even seen their home country as well as the love many still have when living somewhere else. The book does touch on the problems of Somalia, but also focuses on how it is still a place where people live, and that people love. It's a really good read and great for older tweens.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 8th Grade
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Want to go Private?
by Sarah Darer Littman
Summary:
Abby knew high school was going to be different than middle school, she just didn't expect everything to be so hard. Her best friend Faith is making new friends left and right, joining clubs and having fun, but Abby can't seem to find her place. Combined with parents who just ignore her and the most annoying little sister, it's no wonder she prefers to spend all her time online with her new friend Luke. She's never met him, in fact they met in a chat room on her favorite website, but he understands her more than anyone else. When she's fed up with everything he suggests they have a fun weekend together. He loves her after all, so Abby decides to meet him. But what happens when online fantasy changes to reality, what's actually real and what's not. For Abby it might be too late...
Review:
Want to go Private? is a story about the dangers of the internet, about the dangers that anyone who goes online is exposed to. Abby has been taught all about how to be safe on the internet, that she shouldn't give out personal information to people she doesn't know, but Luke slowly gains her trust and she is convinced she's doing the right thing by telling him her name, about her life, giving him her address. The book is a chilling reminder that even when someone knows the facts about something, all it takes is someone pushing the right buttons to get them to forget themselves. A really good read for older tweens and younger teens about the dangers of falling for a fantasy.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 7-8th Grade
Summary:
Abby knew high school was going to be different than middle school, she just didn't expect everything to be so hard. Her best friend Faith is making new friends left and right, joining clubs and having fun, but Abby can't seem to find her place. Combined with parents who just ignore her and the most annoying little sister, it's no wonder she prefers to spend all her time online with her new friend Luke. She's never met him, in fact they met in a chat room on her favorite website, but he understands her more than anyone else. When she's fed up with everything he suggests they have a fun weekend together. He loves her after all, so Abby decides to meet him. But what happens when online fantasy changes to reality, what's actually real and what's not. For Abby it might be too late...
Review:
Want to go Private? is a story about the dangers of the internet, about the dangers that anyone who goes online is exposed to. Abby has been taught all about how to be safe on the internet, that she shouldn't give out personal information to people she doesn't know, but Luke slowly gains her trust and she is convinced she's doing the right thing by telling him her name, about her life, giving him her address. The book is a chilling reminder that even when someone knows the facts about something, all it takes is someone pushing the right buttons to get them to forget themselves. A really good read for older tweens and younger teens about the dangers of falling for a fantasy.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 7-8th Grade
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Forgotten
By Cat Patrick
Summary:
Sometimes we all wish we could forget things from our past. That we could wake up and start completely fresh. Wouldn't it be easier? For London Lane it means waking up not remembering anything from the past. Not what clothes she wore the day before, not what happened in school, not what happened when she was little. All she has is the notebook she writes in every night, full of reminders about what happened each day. But what has she been leaving out of the notebook? What happened in her past that triggered this reset?
Review:
Forgotten is an interesting book about how a trauma can cause a person to reset themselves. AfterLondon
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 7-8th Grade
Summary:
Sometimes we all wish we could forget things from our past. That we could wake up and start completely fresh. Wouldn't it be easier? For London Lane it means waking up not remembering anything from the past. Not what clothes she wore the day before, not what happened in school, not what happened when she was little. All she has is the notebook she writes in every night, full of reminders about what happened each day. But what has she been leaving out of the notebook? What happened in her past that triggered this reset?
Review:
Forgotten is an interesting book about how a trauma can cause a person to reset themselves. After
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 7-8th Grade
Sunday, May 1, 2011
That Darn Cat
That Darn Cat
Walt Disney Pictures
Publisher: Burbank, Calif. : Distributed by Buena Vista Home Entertainment, [2003?]
Plot Description:
When a mysterious kidnapping occurs, the police have no clues or suspects. But when D.C. finds a clue that could break the case, it’s up to Patti to make sure the cops pay attention. The only problem is that the police don’t like to take clues from cats….and D.C., despite being a man about town, is a cat. Hilarity ensues as Patti teams up with FBI agent Kelso to try and solve the case.
Review:
That Darn Cat is a fun filled adventure about a girl and her crime-solving cat. While the movie takes place in the 90s, it will still appeal to tweens Christina Ricci pairs well with Doug E. Doug in this great remake of the original. The movie’s humor will appeal to tweens of both genders. It is a fun movie which is both wholesome and fun.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Viewing level: 4th Grade
Similar Movies: Aquamarine, Milo and Otis
Reader’s Advisory:
Personal thoughts- cute
Subjects/themes- Cats, Friendship, Kidnapping, Fiction
Character names/descriptions-
Patti- 16 year old who hates the town her parents move her to
Kelso- the FBI agent who is teamed with Patti to solve a kidnapping
D.C.- short for Darn Cat, who is crucial to solving the kidnapping
Annotation: D.C. might have all the answers, but if only they could get him to talk!
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Woods Runner
Woods Runner
Author: Gary Paulson
Publisher: New York : Wendy Lamb Books, c2010.
Plot Description:
Samuel is a child of the woods. He might be only 13, but he is relied on as the main hunter of the entire village he lives in in the wilderness in Pennsylvania. But war has come to the colonies, and sooner than his family thinks it comes straight to them. When his parents are kidnapped by British soldiers, and everyone else in his village killed, Samuel faces a choice: flee into the wilderness that he belongs to, or search for his parents in cities that are full of threats.
Review:
Woods Runner is an excellent story about the Revolutionary War. It describes the horrors of war through the eyes of a boy who is a survivor, but also a boy who has no true idea what war means or why his country is suddenly embroiled in one. Samuel is a smart kid who relies on his knowledge of the woods in order to survive and find his parents, but must learn to rely on strangers in order to find his objective. The book is an excellent piece of historical fiction and provides a look at the war from a civilians point of view. The book also provides a lot of historical facts to explain much of what happens in the book.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Reading level: 7th-9th Grade
Similar Books: Purple Heart
Reader’s Advisory:
Personal thoughts- Good book on how war touches everyone
Subjects/themes- War, Kidnapping, Soldiers, Spies, Fiction
Character names/descriptions-
Samuel- 13 year old who must find his parents
Annie- a young girl whose parents are killed by the British and who Samuel
protects
Abner- lends Samuel and Annie help when they most need it
Annotation: Sometimes you need to hide, but sometimes you need to search.
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