Stolen Children

I enjoyed reading Stolen Children - it was a quick read and felt well-paced. I agree with others who have read this book that it seemed trite at times and gave a lot of credit to a fourteen year old girl who was still learning to babysit, but I don't think these elements detracted from its overall appeal. Readers in this age group want to feel more empowered and I think this book allows them to feel that if Amy can outsmart two kidnappers, they could too. I was also glad to see that the author held those characters who did not speak up accountable for not saying anything, even if the moral message at the end of the book felt a bit forced. Overall, I did not find this to be a remarkably good book, but I would not hesitate to recommend it show more to young readers. I think it is an empowering book with a good pace and a plot that gives its readers enough credit in terms of complexity and comprehension. My first inclination would be to recommend this book to late elementary to early middle school girls. First of all, the theme of babysitting always feels very gender specific to me, but second of all, there are no male characters that the reader can really relate to. The kidnappers are male, the judgmental father figure feels very scary, and then dies, and the most memorable characters are all female (the mothers of the two girls, Jorja, Darielle, the horseback riders who come by the cabin, the woman at the store). The only possible male the reader can relate to is Darielle's boyfriend, Jeff, who turns her in, and his role is very minor, so I am not sure how many male readers would really engage with this book. show less

Booktalk: (Talk about babysitting and responsibilities.) Amy took a class on how to be a good babysitter. “Amy’s babysitting course taught her basic first aid, bedtime tips and how to change a diaper, but it did not cover what to do if two thugs with a gun showed up. She had to figure that out by herself.” What would YOU do if you were AMy? How would YOU save the STOLEN CHILDREN...

Peg Kehret's villains are usually inept but not that dangerous which of course makes it easier for the child character to make empowering decisions that save the day. Plenty of suspense for the target audience but nothing too nightmarish.

While there were a number of times when the story seemed contrived or unlikely (to our adult eyes), it is a well-paced, believable enough story to appeal to students, especially girls, who like a good thriller. From the beginning, there is a sense of dread. Young girls (and boys) could potentially identify with main character and babysitter Amy, who is distracted by regrets and anguish tied to her father’s death, but also determined to think smart. Amy plays her options out in her mind, devising clues to hide in the videos.
Moral searching, suspense, creativity, and empathy combined well.

Discussion opportunities tied to civil rights, obsession with money at the expense of others, and the primary, yet subtle theme - making good show more decisions and being responsible. show less

Oregon Battle of the books choice.

A very interesting story about a kidnapped children and how one girls' struggle to survive and save the child she's babysitting.

I thought it was a good storyline idea, I thought the end was just a little too "wrapped up" with no loose ends. Maybe that's the difference between a juvenile and YA book? Who knows, but it was good until it became a little too nice and neat (and unrealistic). I wish it happened that way in real life, but sad to say it doesn't.

This book is thrilling and suspenseful. It is intriguing to both kids and adults. Peg Kehret does a great job of captivating the audience and making you feel all of the emotions that Amy goes through while trying to protect herself and Kendra from their kidnappers. Great story and a wonderfully talented author.

A fast and enjoyable read!
Fourteen-year-old Amy Nordlund desperately regrets that morning she spent with her father. Because of a stupid, completely avoidable mistake she made, her dad postpones leaving for work to lecture her on responsibilities. Not only do they have an argument, but it also turns out to be the last thing she says to him, as he dies in a car accident on his way to work.

Somehow, Amy and her mother wade through the grief and guilt, and try to go on with their lives. Amy is determined to make up for her mistakes and prove to her father that she can be responsible. She signs up for a babysitting class in hopes of earning a bit of money to help with some of the bills. Then she lucks out and her babysitting class teacher show more recommends her for a new job. Three-year-old Kendra’s parents are rich; they even keep the expensive kind of ice cream in the freezer. And Kendra is a complete doll, easy to take care of, very sweet and even goes down for her nap without any fuss. But that’s when the simple part of the job ends.

Two strangers burst into the scene and kidnap Amy and Kendra. Originally, Amy hadn’t been part of the plan, but the kidnappers decide to take advantage of another ransom. They take the girls out to a remote cabin without any electricity or running water. Amy tries her best to keep Kendra clean, fed, entertained and relaxed while struggling to remain calm herself. The abductors plan to use a series of videos to increase the parents’ fear and anxiety, leading up to demanding the ransom.

Desperate to do something, Amy cleverly designs some clues to slip into the videos, hoping her mom and best friend will figure them out and pass them on to the police. But what if her clues don’t work? Amy has no doubt that Kendra’s parents will pay the ransom and Kendra will be returned. But what about Amy? Her mom has no money.

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You know a book is well written when you find yourself interacting emotionally with the book and the characters. Stolen Children is the story of a young girl, Amy who finds herself and the child she is babysitting kidnapped. It is up to Amy to try to rescue them or at least send clues to the police. It is up to her because she knows the kidnappers didn't plan for her to be in the picture. She knows that they will kill her. I read the book from cover to cover and found myself angry when people had the opportunity to help locate the kids and ignored things because they didn't want to get involved. I myself would rather take the chance of making a mistake.
I like this author so much that I have several of her books on my shelves at school. show more What follows is just a short list of some of them please check out Peg Kehret's website for more of her books.

List: Abduction, Earthquake Terror, Cages, Escaping the Giant Wave, The Ghost's Grave, I'm Not Who You Think I Am, Nightmare Mountain show less