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callieisreading's review against another edition
3.0
It makes me crazy when misdirection happens because of withheld information, and this story includes a child who has voluntary mutism because of childhood trauma and so can't provide information when information is necessary. Also the trauma of another child is used as a mechanism of the plot and it's just... disrespectful to the character.
On my TBR since April 2010.
On my TBR since April 2010.
kgentry4's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't want to put this one down. A sad and scary tale, but I was completely intrigued by it and couldn't wait for a resolution.
raechrae's review against another edition
3.0
I picked this up for my commuting read, but I couldn't put it down, so much for my bus reading. It turned into a mystery story, which I was not expecting. A very interesting take on Selective Mutism and the psychological damage that causes it or is caused by it. The story takes place in one day and the chapters move fairly quickly each from a different point of view, yet only Calli's in the third person. The story was intriguing but dark and a little heavy. But it moved quickly.
mhalp520's review against another edition
3.0
Good story, but this book left me wanting more character development and a slower-moving plot. I felt like the book raced through what could have been a very complex and drawn out (in a good way) story.
dburk1216's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent again...I think Heather Gudenkauf is becoming one of my favorite authors. This is the second book of hers that I have read and I again, found it hard to put down. I love how she writes from so many different perspectives. There was a little bit of language that I wish could be avoided. I had figured out who had done it before the end, too, but all in all I enjoyed it!
angie4451's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
2.25
marie_gg's review against another edition
4.0
In this quiet, easy read, seven-year-old Calli Clark is best friends with Petra Gregory. Although Calli does not speak, Petra speaks on her behalf. Calli's father is a mean drunk, and her mother tries to pretend that everything is normal.
When Calli and Petra disappear early one morning, Calli's mother Antonia is forced to face what she has been trying to ignore.
Gudenkauf portrays a family damaged by alcoholism and abuse, with two sensitive children who have been deeply scarred by the disease.
When Calli and Petra disappear early one morning, Calli's mother Antonia is forced to face what she has been trying to ignore.
Gudenkauf portrays a family damaged by alcoholism and abuse, with two sensitive children who have been deeply scarred by the disease.
kimmyp11's review against another edition
3.0
Overall, I realy liked the book, but I felt the end was drawn out, unrealistic, and a bit disappointing.
michellefleming33's review against another edition
2.0
So I bought this back in August 2009. Yeah, that's how long it's been sitting on my "to be read shelf."
And I hate to say this about any book, but um, it should have just stayed there, or even maybe just stayed at the store. It was one of those buy one get one half off, and that's what suckered me into getting it.
The story itself is pretty simple, and what gives this book the buzz is the fact that you hear from everyone's perspective except Griff's, Lucky's, Mr. Wilson's and some other small insignificant characters.
It was an interesting take on two girls go missing, but still. Not enough for me to shout from the rooftops about how great it is.
I had already guessed who the bad person was and was really kind of disappointed with the ending. All this detail and exquisite writing throughout the book and then to end it so flatly? Ugh.
Not the best, not the worst. It was just ok. Glad things worked out, but then again there wasn't a really "happy" happy ending for anyone.
***SPOILERS!!!!***
I still thought that Mr. Wilson was a good person and counselor for Calli, but why the heck was he in the woods? Why did he think that the dog ran off when he was clearly in the yard? And why did he lawyer up so fast? That made me really suspicious of his character, but I never thought it was him that did that to Petra. It was just weird to make him seem that way especially when he's been nothing but great to Calli, and not great in a sick pervert way, but a helping, genuinely cares about her way. I don't know, just a "twist" in the story that really wasn't needed or need to be mentioned at all. I hate it when authors do that. Write random stuff about a great character to make you suspect that they could be the killer/abductor/bad guy, when they are perfectly innocent and innocuous. Ugh.
And I hate to say this about any book, but um, it should have just stayed there, or even maybe just stayed at the store. It was one of those buy one get one half off, and that's what suckered me into getting it.
The story itself is pretty simple, and what gives this book the buzz is the fact that you hear from everyone's perspective except Griff's, Lucky's, Mr. Wilson's and some other small insignificant characters.
It was an interesting take on two girls go missing, but still. Not enough for me to shout from the rooftops about how great it is.
I had already guessed who the bad person was and was really kind of disappointed with the ending. All this detail and exquisite writing throughout the book and then to end it so flatly? Ugh.
Not the best, not the worst. It was just ok. Glad things worked out, but then again there wasn't a really "happy" happy ending for anyone.
***SPOILERS!!!!***
I still thought that Mr. Wilson was a good person and counselor for Calli, but why the heck was he in the woods? Why did he think that the dog ran off when he was clearly in the yard? And why did he lawyer up so fast? That made me really suspicious of his character, but I never thought it was him that did that to Petra. It was just weird to make him seem that way especially when he's been nothing but great to Calli, and not great in a sick pervert way, but a helping, genuinely cares about her way. I don't know, just a "twist" in the story that really wasn't needed or need to be mentioned at all. I hate it when authors do that. Write random stuff about a great character to make you suspect that they could be the killer/abductor/bad guy, when they are perfectly innocent and innocuous. Ugh.