The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
by William Kamkwamba
New Book Shelves - Upper Level 621.312 K

Also available in Large print

A teenager in Malawi built a windmill from scraps to create electricity for his home and his village. This is a hopeful story of ingenuity and progress! It inspires the reader to find ways to improve their own envirnoment and those around them. The exciting aspect of this book is that a teenager with only scraps for resources managed to change the lives of an entire village. Imagine what we can do with the resources available to us!

Beach Blondes

Beach Blondes by Katherine Applegate
Teen Zone Fiction-Main Level – APPLEGATE

Just in time for spring break, Beach Blondes by Katherine Applegate is the perfect vacation read. Summer Smith is originally from Bloomington, Minnesota but she is spending the summer in Crab Claw Key, Florida. She is very excited to hang out with her cousin Diana and have a fun in the sun summer. Things do not go exactly as planned. First off Summer meets a lady on the plane who reads tarot cards. She told Summer that she will meet three guys; a dangerous one, a mysterious one, and the right one. Summer did meet three guys; Adam the rich and powerful Senator’s son and Diana’s ex-boyfriend, Diver the drifter that has been sleeping on the roof of Diana’s stilt house, and Seth the one with the girlfriend. They all have a hand in changing her life forever. Diana was not as excited about Summer spending 3 months at her house. Summer still had the time of her life but there were a few bumps along the way. Summer was ready for non stop fun but is she ready for working, a crazy friend names Marquez, and three guys who all want her attention? This is a perfect beach/vacation/lazy read. Easy and fun to read and you can’t help but want be in the Florida Keys with the entire gang! If you want more of Summer’s life check out:

Spring Break Reunion (Summer visits the Keys again during Spring Break)










Tan Lines by Katherine Applegate
    Teen Zone Fiction-Main Level – APPLEGATE

Why my Third Husband Will be a Dog

Why my Third Husband Will be a Dog by Lisa Scottoline

Adult Nonfiction 813.54 S


In need of a good laugh? Or a whole bunch of good laughs? Then pick up a copy of this book. I guarantee you’ll feel much better very soon. Lisa Scottoline, award-winning author of several suspense novels, is also a very witty columnist. This is a compilation of her columns, which feature a lovable, humorous cast of characters including Mother Mary and Daughter Francesca, along with her thoughts on such topics as Spanx, ex-husbands (“Thing One” and “Thing Two”), and lessons learned from Archie comic books. The chapters are short, the wit is quick, and the overall experience is one of pure pleasure.

The Time-Traveler’s Guide to Medieval England

The Time-Traveler’s Guide to Medieval England by Ian Mortimer
Adult Non-fiction – Upper Level – 942.03 M

The title might say most of it – but I’ll elaborate a little more. To start with, Mortimer picks just one century of the middle ages, the tumultuous 14th century, home to Chaucer and the Great Plague and my favorite fashions, among other things. Rather than the standard approach of looking at the important people and events, he talks about what you’d need to know if you were actually to go to fourteenth century England as a tourist. What would the landscape look and sound like? How should you behave and what should you wear so as not to offend anyone? How do the different types of people live and eat? I found that I had to skip the detailed chapter on medical care, though that depends on your personal tolerance level. Still, so many aspects were covered and wittily described that I found myself engrossed and frequently wanting to share. Alas, my love decided that he wanted to read the book as well and so would not let me. Mortimer also discusses the philosophy behind his approach – reminding us that these were real people who shared a basic humanity with us and whose actions continue to affect life in modern-day England (this is explained in more detail especially in the legal chapter.) It’s unfair, he says, to call a fourteenth-century housewife dirty because she doesn’t clean with antibacterial wipes – our cleaning methods will probably seem ineffectual in 700 years, too, but that doesn’t mean that either we or the hypothetical housewives don’t care about cleanliness. There’s a lot to enjoy here both for the history buff and the re-enactor, and the annotated end-notes give even more commentary and jumping-off points for those who want to take it further.

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig
Picture Book Shelves - Lower Level - STE

A sweet donkey named Sylvester Duncan has a very happy life with his mother and father. One day he finds a beautiful red pebble and soon discerns that it is magical. As long as Sylvester holds the pebble, he can wish for anything he wants in the whole entire world. How exciting! Sylvester can’t wait to get home and tell his parents about this amazing find.

Unfortunately, on his way home Sylvester faces danger and wishes to become a rock. Now he can’t pick up the pebble and wish to become himself again. Thus, Sylvester is a permanent rock for the foreseeable future which sends him into a depression. In the meantime, his loving parents worry and wonder about what happened to their beloved Sylvester. They look for him high and low and inquire of all of their neighbors about Sylvester. Nobody has seen him and when the searchers visit Strawberry Hill and stumble upon the rock that is now Sylvester neither Sylvester nor they can communicate with one another. What will Sylvester do to solve his problem? Is he stuck as a rock forever or can he somehow become himself again?

Told in many words which may be unusual for a children’s picture book, Sylvester and the Magic Pebble which is written and illustrated by William Steig, is extremely interesting and heartfelt. It accurately conveys the deep love that exists between children and their parents and the extreme excitement of finding a way to have all of one's wishes granted. Furthermore, the art work within the book is spot on in terms of conveying the character’s emotions and reactions. In fact, this classic picture book won the Caldecott Medal in 1970. I highly recommend this picture book to anyone who loves children’s literature and even those who normally don’t read children’s books. It will make you feel good!

Suspicions of Mr. Whicher

Suspicions of Mr. Whicher: A Shocking Murder and the Undoing of a Great Victorian Detective by Kate Summerscale
Adult Non-Fiction-Upper Level 364.1523 S

Who killed three-year-old Saville Kent in 1860? Inspector Jonathan Jack Whicher was called in to find the murderer. He suspected a family member, and investigated each thoroughly. Convinced that it was Constance Kent, Saville's teenage half-sister, Whicher publicly blamed her. With little evidence and the shock and distress of the family and community against him, Whicher gave up and went home. Five years later, the killer came forward. A sensational trial followed, and Whicher was vindicated. This is fascinating historical true crime with all the trappings of a great who-done-it!

Showgirls, Teen Wolves, and Astro Zombies: A film critic’s year-long quest to find the worst movie ever made.

Showgirls, Teen Wolves, and Astro Zombies: A film critic’s year-long quest to find the worst movie ever made.
by Michael Adams
New Book Shelves - Upper Level - 791.437A



When coming across the title of this book one might ask themselves, who in their right mind would willingly watch a years worth of terrible movies? Then on top of that, who would read a book about someone watching a years worth of terrible movies? Of course the simple answer is that people spend money watching terrible movies all the time. How else could “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” make over $800 million dollars in worldwide grosses or shallow, cliché, cash grab schlock like “Valentines Day” make twice its domestic budget? That being said, the films included in this text are so singular in their horridness they make Michael Bay look like Francois Truffaut. There is something to be said for that special gem of abused celluloid, something akin to watching a car accident. You really shouldn’t look but it’s that twinge of curiosity that keeps you wondering “just how bad is it?”

Is it for example “Troll 2” bad?

Unfortunately for author Michael Adams plummeting to the bottom of cinematic depths is far worse. Thankfully, Adams trudges away in this masochistic quest with good humor while gaining insight from those involved in these misfired endeavors. From Sylvester Stallone’s soft core porn debut, “The Party at Kitty and Studs” (no, the library does not have this film, and no I will not order it for you) to Vanilla Ice’s fantastic “Rebel Without a Cause” reinterpretation “Cool as Ice,” Adams leaves no crappy movie unwatched.

(What a coincidence, I've got the same pair of pants at home!)

So why read a book about someone watching a years worth of terrible movies, besides the fact that you wouldn’t have to be forced to watch them yourself? What it comes down to is a love of film, even the worst ones. Of course the fact that some are so bad they are unintentionally hilarious doesn't hurt. Ultimately, it’s the need to understand how and why these films got made in the first place that entices the reader to push on. Plus the sheer joy of watching something crash and burn can be its own reward. I mean it doesn’t take a “Superbaby Genius” to figure that out. (And no I won't be ordering that movie either, although we do have "All About Steve" so that should suffice.)

Living Dead Girl

Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott
Teen Zone Fiction-Main Level – SCOTT

Living Dead Girl is a very chilling novel by Elizabeth Scott, narrated by a 15 year girl named Alice. Alice has spent the past 5 years in captivity after being kidnapped on a school trip. Alice obeys everything Ray says and lives in constant fear that he will make good on his word and harm her family. She is the second girl that has been kidnapped by Ray and she knows that the first one was murdered when she outgrew her child like body at the age of 15 and now Alice kind of wishes her own end would come soon. Ray has another idea in mind, he wants Alice to find her replacement and teach her all the things that he enjoys. Then they can live as a happy family. The story is a very quick read (170 pages) and quite disturbing but is hard to put down because once you meet Alice you want to see if she becomes free. The story seems like it could be taken from real life similar to the stories of Jaycee Dugard and Elizabeth Smart.

When You Reach Me

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
Youth Fiction - Lower Level- STEAD

When You Reach Me is Rebecca’s Stead second novel and the winner of the 2010 Newbery Medal. It’s 1978 in New York City and Miranda lives with her single mom in small apartment building. Miranda’s best friend Sal lives just one floor below her. Miranda’s favorite novel is A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle and she carries a very tattered copy of the book with her wherever she goes. Miranda enjoys science fiction and time travel but she is not sure that it is possible until she starts receiving unusual letters. Miranda is plagued by strange events that start taking place during her sixth grade year. First off Sal gets punched on the way home from school and will not talk to Miranda anymore. Then Miranda starts receiving strange letters from an unknown person. These letters confuse Miranda because they are cryptic and some of the events referred to have not happened yet. While all this is taking place Miranda (along with Richard her mother’s boyfriend) is trying to help her mom prepare for being a contestant on The $20,000 pyramid. You learn about the different people that live on Miranda’s block, once Miranda learns the truth of the mysterious letters everything seems to come full circle. This is a wonderful novel by Rebecca Stead and very deserving of the Newbery Award, there is an intriguing storyline plus just the right combination of reality and science fiction to keep the readers enthralled. Once you have read and enjoyed When You Reach Me check out Rebecca's Stead debut novel First Light.

Except the Queen

Except the Queen by Jane Yolen and Midori Snyder
Adult New Book Display – Upper Level - Yolen

The first thing I noticed about this book when I opened it up was Jane Yolen’s dedication, which I will reproduce here in it entirety. This, dear readers, is a recommendation list from one of the grande dames of fantasy. I find that I have read many of them, but there’s a good handful that I plan on hunting down:

For Terri Windling, Ellen Datlow, Isak Dinesen, Angela Carter, Alice Hoffman, Ellen Kushner, Delia Sherman, Pamela Dean, Patricia Wrede, Holly Black, Emma Bull, Patricia McKillip, Ellen Klages, Kelly Link, Diana Wynne Jones, Robin McKinley, Shannon Hale, and all the other sisters of fantasy.

But the actual book. Two fairy sister, Meteora and Serana, witness the Queen engaged in a certain act with a human man. The Queen! With a human! They try to stifle their giggles quickly, as they know that revenge will be swift and terrible if word ever gets out. Of course, inevitably, it does and it is. The Queen finds them both and turns them into ugly, fat and magic-less old ladies (how ugly or fat? It’s hard to say coming from people accustomed to eternal youth) and sends them to far cities in the human world. Serana is taken to the hospital as a homeless woman, and eventually set up with an apartment and a small allowance by a social worker. Meteora is found by the Great Witch herself, Baba Yaga, and assigned to watching over her house, the lower stories of which she rents out to college students. The story follows these two as they try to establish communication with each other and to survive among the bewildering ways and proliferating cold iron of the human world. We also meet two young people, both with magic but living in the human world. The Dog Boy, Robin, tries to escape from his cruel father, while Sparrow, who does not know her own name or history herself, finds herself being sucked into a black spell: A friend of a friend guides her to the tattoo parlor of one Hawk, who promises her the most beautiful tattoo she has ever seen, just for her. But the tattoo bleeds at night for weeks, though Sparrow heals even from knife wounds overnight, and Sparrow’s dreams grow increasingly dark. (Meteora’s musings on tattoos are interesting, as she sees bad spells in almost every tattoo she sees – butterflies for a short and meaningless life, or barbed wire for pain and suffering.) The old sisters, too, sense darkness attempting to rise and use what frail powers they have left to help the young people, trying to find a purpose in the human world. The characters are compelling and the plot nicely not obvious. This fey are authentic, the Unseelie Court terrifying, the Seelie Court maybe good but still not necessarily trustworthy or friendly to humans, both sides deeply respectful and fearful of Baba Yaga, who aligns herself with neither court. This is fantasy done well, and, I’ll note, a good stand-alone for those who want a solid fantasy fix without committing to a trilogy or more.

Evermore by Alyson Noel
Teen Zone Fiction-Main Level NOEL

This is the first book in The Immortals series. These aren't vampires, they're immortals. Sixteen-year-old Ever lost her family in a car accident. Since then, she can see people's auras and hear their thoughts. Ever is moved to California to live with her aunt. At her new school, she meets Damen (another new kid), and there is an instant attraction. As it turns out, he is also an Immortal. He and Ever have an interesting connection, which you'll have to read the book to understand! Good vs. evil, friendship, magic, and grief are all themes in this book. Adult and teen fans of supernatural fiction will enjoy this series!

The second installment in the series is
Blue Moon and the third and fourth books are due out later in 2010.

Winnie-the-Pooh

Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne. Read by Stephen Fry, Judi Dench, and a whole host of others.
Youth Audio Books – Lower Level - Milne

This is a recording of Winnie-the-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner. It is delightfully narrated by a nearly full cast of talented British actors with varying accents. The only voice actor I was unsure of was the one playing Christopher Robin, clearly an actual child, whose inflections seemed a bit wooden at times. Aside from that, once again, hearing an old favorite aloud like this reminds one of just how delightful the words really are. This version has the added pleasure of having had music composed for Pooh’s many hums. The words are read with the music played on piano underneath, so that while it’s not sung, you can hear how it’s meant to sound. This is a wonderful version to share with a favorite child, or to reacquaint yourself with the wonders of Pooh.

Sharp Objects and Dark Places

Sharp Objects Gillian Flynn
Adult Fiction Shelves Main Level – FLYNN

Sharp Objects is Gillian Flynn’s debut thriller. Camille Preaker is a reporter for Chicago’s Daily Post. She is sent on assignment by her editor to go back to her hometown of Wind Gap, Missouri. Camille is sent to do a human interest piece on two missing local girls that show up dead in a grueling manner. The girls vanished less than a year apart. The town is scared for their little girls because the police have no leads. Once Camille is back in her old town you start learning the truth about why she left and had no desire to ever return. Her mother is the most influential person in town. In public she shows that she is the loving doting mother. In private she lets her disappointment and hate show for her oldest daughter. Being around her mother, Camille is drawn back to the times that made her so unhappy and she has the desire to harm herself again, something she has not done since she has been hospitalized. The deeper that Camille is involved in the investigation the more she is convinced that the killer is local. Flynn takes dysfunctional family to a whole new level in this twisting and turning suspense thriller.

Dark Places Gillian Flynn
Adult New Book Display Main Level – FLYNN

True to her first novel Gillian Flynn pens another suspense thriller more twisted than her first. Libby Day was seven when her mother and 2 older sisters were brutally murdered in the middle of the night on a cold day in January of 1985. Her testimony of what happened that day landed her older brother Ben, just 15 at the time a life term in prison. Not only does Libby have the emotional scars from that day she also has physical scars from the spending the night in the woods. It is now 24 years later and Libby needs money. She has never had to work and now her money is running out. A man named Lyle contacts her offering money if she will come to the next meeting of the Kill Club. The Kill Club is a group of people that meet and discuss old murder cases. Since Libby is so desperate for money she agrees. She was unprepared for what happens as she meets this club. Certain members of the group believe that she lied about what happened that day. They think that Ben is innocent and they want Libby to prove it. The story is told in alternating chapters between Libby in the present day, her mom Patty on the day she died and Ben on the day he allegedly committed the murders. There are so many things that happened on that fateful day in January and so many secrets were kept. The big question is if Ben did not commit the murders then who else was in the house that night?

The Last Song

The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks
Adult New Book Display-Main Level – SPARKS


Veronica “Ronnie” Miller’s life was never the same after her parents divorce. She lives in New York with her mom and her younger brother Jonah. Ever since the divorce Ronnie has fallen into the wrong crowd. She does not apply herself at school, stopped playing the piano all together, gotten caught and arrested for shoplifting and to top it off she has not spoken to her dad in three years. Her dad lives in Wilmington, North Carolina. She is furious when her mom forces her and Jonah to visit their dad for the summer. Ronnie’s dad, Steve, is a former concert pianist and teacher that lives in a quiet beach town. Steve is currently engrossed in a project for the local church. He is recreating a stained glass window for the church because the old one was destroyed in an arson fire a few months earlier. He is very excited for his children to come and visit.

Once the family is together their summer begins. Ronnie is starting off on the wrong foot in town by making friends with the local delinquent kids. The one bright spot in her summer has been meeting Will. He is the all American boy next door. Ronnie is completely herself around him and drops the attitude that she has developed. Ronnie has been slowly making amends with her father. Jonah is having the summer of his life and never wants to go back to New York. He gets to help his dad with the stained glass window and have father son bonding time whenever he wants. It is near the end of summer that Ronnie and Jonah find out the real reason they had to spend their summer with their dad. This reason will change their lives forever. Also at the end of summer is when the truth is learned of how the church burned down all those months ago. This has been a hard summer for the Miller family and many lessons have been learned through their journey. Nicholas Sparks once again writes another great novel about love, lost, and trust. You will read about broken hearts and how love and time can heal them.

Better Off: Flipping the Switch on Technology

Better Off: Flipping the Switch on Technology by Eric Brende

Adult Nonfiction 303.483B

This is the story of a hands-on experiment to determine “What is the least we need to achieve the most.” The author was studying technology’s influence on humans as a graduate student at MIT when he began to come to conclusions that made his mentors uncomfortable. Abandoning his formal studies, Brende and his new bride decided to move to a community that he dubbed “the Minimites” and see what life was like when modern technology was removed from life’s equation. They agreed to spend 18 months farming and trying to sustain themselves by depending on fellow humans instead of machines. In following with the rigid standards of their new community (more strict than the Amish), they forewent conveniences such as electricity and indoor plumbing and discovered that for every thing they lost, they gained something else. This fascinating book is as entertaining as the best works of fiction. It will make you reassess the role that technology plays in your life.

Theater Shoes

Theater Shoes by Noel Streatfeild
Youth Cd Books - Lower Level - STREATFEILD
Theater Shoes tells the story of Sorrel, Mark, and Holly Forbes. They are growing up in World War II England without their mother and father. Their mother is deceased, and their father is missing in the war. Thus, when their grandfather Forbes passes away, they are sent to live with their mother's mother—their grandmother.


Grandmother is unlike anyone else they have ever met. She is a very eccentric actress and tells the children that they will soon be attending the Children’s Academy of Dancing and Stage Training. The children have never danced, sung, or acted in their lives, and such a prospect is quite overwhelming. Before long, the children meet their cousins Miranda and Miriam, both of whom are enrolled in the Academy and part of their mother’s side of the family, the Warrens. The Warrens are known as a family of famous actors and actresses, and their lifestyle is very different from what the children always knew. Will the children grow to enjoy dancing, singing, and acting? Can they bond with their aloof grandmother? How will Sorrel cope with Miranda, a bratty girl who seems to be in competition with her? More importantly, will their father ever return?

Set in the 1940s, Theater Shoes touches upon war time issues such as rationing, bomb raids, and poor economic conditions. However, in spite of these heavy issues, the novel is never depressing. In fact, it is a feel good book. It is also quite educational because it discusses theater life in great detail. On a sidenote, Elizabeth Sastre, the narrator of the audio book version, is an absolute delight and truly brings every character to life. Thus, if you are looking for an old-fashioned and sweet read, try Theater Shoes which is just one of the “Shoes” books written by Noel Streatfeild. Others include Ballet Shoes and Dancing Shoes.

Fiber Gathering

Fiber Gathering by Joanne Seiff
New Book Shelves – Upper Level – CRAFTS 746 S

For those who feel passionate about their fiber crafts, there are fiber festivals, all over the country, where the people who use fiber – especially animal fiber – meet with the people who produce it and the tools to work with it. Some are enormous, with people travelling from all over the world to attend them. And some are mostly regional festivals, limiting vendor attendance to locals to provide a show of truly local color. Author Seiff provides descriptions and drool-worthy photographs of eleven fiber festivals from around the country, with sheep and llamas, hand-dyed roving and yarn, and booths of lamb-based food. Each festival is followed by a couple of projects related to the specialty of the gathering just discussed. They are not just knitting projects either – they are projects to knit, crochet, dye, hook, or spin, including very basic spinning, how to clean a raw fleece, and how to help at a sheep-shearing. I’ve never been to the Michigan festival, although it is profiled in this book. I was terribly amused to see the author describe Michigan as a state where August is cool enough that we’re already thinking about wooly sweaters. Not in this part, for sure, but perhaps in Allegan County, where the festival takes place, it’s not quite so sticky. This is a beautiful book, sure to inspire fiber-lovers to seek out their own nearest festival, or perhaps even travel farther abroad.

Phineas L. MacGuire…Erupts!

Phineas L. MacGuire…Erupts! by Frances O'Roark Dowell
Youth Fiction-Lower Level – DOWELL


Phineas L. MacGuire goes by the nickname Mac and his absolute favorite subject is science. He loves everything about science; trying out new experiments, reading scientific journals and he is only in fourth grade! Mac is disappointed because his best friend who is also a science expert moved away 3 weeks into the school year. So not only does Mac not have a best friend anymore he does not have a partner for the science fair that is coming up. Mac gets paired with the new kid who is also named Mac (R.). Mac is not happy about this because no one likes the new kid plus Mac R. loves dinosaurs which Mac thinks is so third grade. As the Mac’s work together for the science fair Mac discovers that Mac R. is not a bad kid and his name really is not Mac. Mac R.’s name is actually Ben. Mac feels bad that no one else really likes Ben so he has this great idea that Ben should have a do-over in terms of meeting his classmates. As the science fair fast approaches Ben and Mac work hard to ensure that they have a great project that will hopefully win first place. Even though the boys are working hard for the science fair Ben is working equally hard to win over his classmates. Frances O’Roark Dowell delivers a fun story that will keep kids laughing. This book is also the first in the series. If you like Mac then check out his other books:



Phineas L. MacGuire…Gets Slimed! by Frances O'Roark Dowell
Youth Fiction-Lower Level – DOWELL













Phineas L. MacGuire…Blasts Off! by Frances O'Roark Dowell
Youth Fiction-Lower Level – DOWELL

Hikaru No Go

Hikaru No Go by Yumi Hotta. Art by Takeshi Obata And now, for a change of pace, some manga. Hikaru is a fun-loving, not too serious middle school student. One day, he finds an old go board in his grandfather’s attic. It turns out to be haunted by the ghost of an old and really good go player, Sai, who then takes up residence in Hikaru’s consciousness. This is somehow not creepy, and we are also assured that Sai is male even though has long purple hair, earrings, and a delicate face. Anyway, prompted by Sai, Hikaru starts playing Go. He joins his school’s go team and goes to go salons. At first, he lets Sai tell him where to put the stones. Doing this, he attracts the attention of Akira Toya, the best player from the best middle school go team in town. But before Akira can track him down for another game, Hikaru decides that he wants to play for himself. Over the course of the series (17 books out in America so far), Akira and Hikaru, coached by Sai, climb higher and higher into the go world. Even though this has an improbable premise and is centered on a complicated game I don’t even try to understand, the characters are so well done that the story doesn’t feel silly. Hikaru and his friends are genuinely likeable characters, and the honorable rivalry between Hikaru and Akira Toya is compelling. It’s good story-telling, with large numbers of impossibly innocent-looking wide eyes and a few adorable girls in mini-skirted uniforms thrown in for good measure.

The Weight of Silence

The Weight of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf
Adult New Book Display- Main Level – GUDENKAUF


Early one August morning Martin Gregory wakes up and realizes his 7 year old daughter, Petra, is missing from her bed. He wakes up his wife and they search high and low for Petra. They figure she must be next door at her best friend’s house. The Gregory’s go over to the Clark’s house. This is when Antonia Clark realizes that her daughter Callie is missing as well.

Callie and Petra are best friends which is quite unusual because they have nothing in common. Callie suffers from selective mutism. Petra understands Callie in a way that no one else does. As a result Petra is Callie’s voice, whether they are at school, on the playground or just playing like normal seven year old girls.

The sheriff is notified and soon the FBI is called in to look for the missing girls. The parents know the girls are in the woods that back up to their houses. The woods are a safe haven for the girls and Callie knows her way around the woods thanks to her brother Ben and her mother.

Despite their daughters being best friends the Clark’s and the Gregory’s are not very close. As tensions rise to find their daughters terrible family secrets are revealed including the one that caused Callie not to speak for three years.

Heather Gudenkauf writes a great tale of suspense. Each chapter being narrated by a different character really keeps the reader engaged in all that is going on while trying to find the missing girls, as well as exposing the reader to all the family dynamics and secrets of the Gregory’s and the Clark’s. This book will keep you enthralled until the very last page.