The Stranger Game

Gr 9 Up—This drama mystery follows Nico, a sophomore in high school, as she and her family come to terms with her sister's disappearance. Nico was 11 when her big sister, Sarah, left to meet a boyfriend at the park down the road. Four years later, Sarah is still missing and the protagonist still has nightmares about how Sarah screamed at her right before disappearing. Her older sibling always yelled at her, or hurt her, but Nico knows she's supposed to love Sarah and miss her and be devastated that she is still gone. Mostly, however, Nico feels confused, like there is a big hole in her family's life, one that her mother fills by becoming an expert on missing persons, and one that the teen can't hope to fill. Nico's internal monologue and the dialogue among the other main characters (her parents and new friend Tessa) move the story along at a good clip and will keep readers engaged. The paragraph headings will help readers understand who is narrating, a device that is not only needed but is also used well. Similar in feel to Carol Plum-Ucci's The Body of Christopher Creed, this work carries teens through strife, crises, and a mystery that desperately needs solving. Enough clues are spread throughout that teens will enjoy piecing together important plot points, but the author places enough surprise elements to keep mystery fans engaged through the end.