A review by karlakayjenniges
The Vanishing of the 7th Grade by Evan Baughfman

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

5.0

Advanced Review:

“IT WAS the perfect weekend afternoon to sit by the window with a good book. Sophia settled into her reading chair, turned to the first page of a novel given to her by her friend, Judith, and
attempted to escape into a world where she wasn’t the weird new kid at school.”

We can all relate to those angsty days of being a new student and starting the 7th grade is a big step from elementary school. New faces, new personalities, and larger classes. Trying to fit in is difficult and even more so when you're the quiet, introverted one.

Sophia is very quiet and very unhappy at her new school. She misses her previous school and all of her friends she had to leave behind. She gets picked on at her new school and she feels invisible. Her one escape and solace is losing herself in a good book.

A new neighbor/teacher has arrived and suddenly life becomes much more interesting and chaotic. Sophia is a good apple and quickly becomes a teacher's favorite. Mz. Salem seems very nice until her more sinister side starts to appear and all the kids that have been disrespectful and cruel begin to disappear.

Sophia and her brother Cody are determined to solve the mystery behind all the disappearances and in the process they discover something very unexpected. Something that can change everything.

“Good stories have a long reach. They can touch people anywhere and everywhere.”

Evan Baughfman captures the essence of those uncomfortable feelings of being the kid who just doesn’t seem to fit in, the cruelty of bullies and then slowly trickles in creepiness of a witchy teacher. With lots of twists and surprises as the story unfolds and an ending that includes a great lesson.

Great for any young reader that likes their books full of adventure and bits of spookiness!!

This is Book 2 in D&T Publishing’s Little Gremlins line, for middle grade kids.