How do I keep ending up with these books about terrible things happening to kids? It is a subject I really prefer to avoid, but somehow, here I go again.
Ethan Manuel De Wilde was taken from his front yard when he was seven years old. Now, nine years later, he actually shows up again, having called Child Protective Services to help him get back to his family in Minnesota.
His reunion with his family is not smooth. His brother Blake, who was four when Ethan was taken, hates him: he is still mad that Ethan got in a stranger’s car all those years ago, bringing havoc and heartache to the family. He also resents all the attention his parents gave, first to the missing Ethan, then to the “miracle” replacement child Gracie (now six), and now again to Ethan. Gracie is confused and wary of Ethan at first, but warms up to him. Her adoration helps him learn the good aspects of what a real family can be like.
Meanwhile, Ethan’s parents are extremely strict with him, particularly his mother, who panics when he is even slightly late coming back from school. Soon they all relax a bit though, and Ethan begins a relationship with a nice girl who helps him through the rough spots.
But the ordeal isn’t over. Ethan still can’t remember a lot, and then there’s Blake, who gets more and more hostile. You know something is up, but it is only in the last few pages that a bomb is dropped, and it’s a stunner.
Discussion: For once I found myself wishing for a trilogy, so the story would keep going. The ending is, well, pretty memorable to say the least!
Evaluation: What does a kid go through who has grown up in a horrific environment? How does he come out of it and how does he cope? This book provides a creative look at some of the possibilities.
Rating: 3.5/5
Published by Simon Pulse, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division, 2012
Filed under: Book Review Tagged: | Book Review
Sounds like we both could use an upbeat book. I finished reading Bohjalian’s, Sandcastle Girls recently, so sad.
It must be pretty good if you were wishing for more!
Is this one of the books you got at the Gaithersburg Book Festival? This author sounds familiar to me. Sounds like you are on a roll with these.
No, it was in a display as best selling teen book or something, so I became intrigued.
Sounds like it was a good find though.
Wow, this book must be good if you wished for a sequel or a trilogy! I haven’t heard of this book before but will put it on the list to see if it’s at the library. I’m interested to see what happens in those last few pages.
After the Jaycee Dugard memoir, I know a lot about what happens to kids who grow up in a horrific environment. It just turns my stomach! And I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t knowingly pick up this book for that reason, but if you wanted it to continue, this is a huge tribute to the author and her writing. And this author’s name really rings a bell. I’m going to have to go see what else she has written…
Actually wishing for a trilogy? That’s saying a lot.
Ooh, so many complicated layers of family dynamics! I want to read this one for sure.
Based on the books that you review, you’re going to have a hard time convincing me that you don’t enjoy seeing kids terrorized! LOL!
I am deciding that I would rather read about evil clowns than about scary crap that can really happen to kids.
This does sound really dark and extremely intriguing. It sounds like the type of book that I would get really invested in, and then get scared for my own kids. Kind of like what happened when I read We Need to Talk about Kevin. This was a great review, and I love that you hint at the suspenseful ending.
This is a very interesting premise for a book, but it sounds so bleak. After reading Boy A and We Need to Talk About Kevin, I’m definitely going to need an “upper.” Maybe we should have a “Happy Books Marathon.” *LOL*
I try to avoid books about terrible things happening to kids, too. Until I read a review like this and then I know I’m going to need to make another exception!
hmmmm — I’m torn — your enthusiasm for this one has me curious but I’m SUCH a wimp when it comes to thrillers!
You need to read your book blurbs closer so you don’t keep getting children in peril stories. I was surprised to see your 3.5 rating. I thought it would be higher since you wanted more!
I have read other books by this author and enjoyed them. I want to know about the ending!!