A Lovely VOYA Review for IF YOU FIND ME! January 28, 2013

Voya Magazine

Feb issue

 4Q 5P A/YA

Murdoch, Emily. If You Find Me. St. Martin’s, 2013. 256p. $17.99. 978-1-250-02152-6.

Come into the Hundred Acre Wood. Discover how the woods can hide you and protect you, but can also hurt you. Fifteen-year-old Carey finds herself alone with her five-year-old sister, Jennesa. Her mother has deserted them, again, only this time their long-lost father discovers them. All Carey remembers is the smell of his aftershave and the evil words her mother has often told her about him. Follow Carey on her journey of self-discovery, from the end to the beginning.

Fans of Stolen by Lucy Christopher (Chicken House, 2010/VOYA June 2010) will love this suspenseful, mysterious novel. With a twist on the Stockholm syndrome, characters are easy to identify with. Carey faces school, mean girls, bullying, and sibling rivalry. There are minor sexual descriptions. The book is a page-turner. There are references to Shakespeare, King Arthur, and Winnie the Pooh. Music fans will appreciate Carey’s devotion to her violin and will relate to the importance of music in her life. Murdoch has created a moving, riveting read that will have teens staying up late to finish the novel.

—E. Frank.

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Such a lovely review!

For other writers: as you can see, the rankings, numbers, ratings never stop.

What matters most is how YOU feel about your book. If YOU don’t love it, it won’t matter what the trades say.

Wishing you words that sparkle, shimmy and dance!