Sunday Synopsis

They Never Came Back by Caroline B. Cooney
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

As a reading teacher, I need to immerse myself in more young adult reading than I currently do. My students often ask me for book recommendations, and I have my list of "old faithfuls," but I want to expand it. Since I liked the series about Janie that began with The Face on the Milk Carton, also by Cooney, I decided to give another one of her books a try.

This one was much like The Face on the Milk Carton. It centers around a ten-year-old girl named Murielle (not Muriel - Muri ELLE). Her parents are embezzlers who are about to be caught. They make plans to successfully leave the country, but Murielle is not with them because her aunt, the mother's sister, refused to be part of their escape and would not take Murielle to the airport.

The book is also about 15 year old Cathy Ferris. Cathy is a foster child who is a very hard-working student. She takes a summer class, Latin, in the next town over since her own school doesn't offer it. One day at lunch, a student named Tommy runs up to her asking her where she has been. He believes she is his missing cousin. It also happens that she is taking classes with the daughter of the office manager who took the fall when Murielle's parents left the country.

I don't want to give away anything that happens as there is quite a bit more to it.  The novel is written from the perspectives of both girls and is told through some flashbacks as well. More than just a mystery, it is a book about family and forgiveness. It's a very easy read, and I believe my students will enjoy it. Despite the similarities to the Janie series, it's worth reading.

View all my reviews