Vanishing Acts, Jodi Picoult

In Vanishing Acts, Jodi Picoult writes the story of a daughter named Delia Hopkins who finds out that her father, Andrew Hopkins, kidnapped her at the age of four. Delia is emotionally torn because as a mother herself, she can't see how her father could have just stolen her away from her mother. On the other hand, she also knows that her childhood was happy and that her father's decision may have been justified. Through the course of Andrew's trial, the novel goes through the changes that Delia and her two childhood best friends, Eric (also her fiance) and Fitz have to confront. Delia is also forced to face her childhood memories that bring up information on her past, while trying to find inner peace.

This is the third Jodi Picoult book I've read and so far this is my favorite. As usual, Picoult lets the reader have a first person point of view on each character, which gives the characters many ending than her others. Most importantly, I like the debate the novel presented; that maybe some things are better if never found out.
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-Reviewed by Anonymous, grade 12.

Devoured, by Amanda Marrone

In Devoured, by Amanda Marrone, Megan is being visited by the ghost of her twin sister Remy who died when they were both in second grade in a tragic car accident. Her father, who was also in the car accident, survived, but has not woken up for ten years, and is being fed through a feeding tube in a home. Throughout the years after the accident, Remy's ghost has visited Megan time to time, but lately her visits have been much more frequent and scary. With phrases like "Hurry, Megan" and "she is going to die," haunting her every step of the way, Megan is determined to put the pieces together and solve the mystery before it's too late.

A hint of romance, ongoing suspense, and never ending goosebumps, this book will take you into its world and you will be almost deaf to any other ideas, noises, or words outside of it. As captivating as it sounds, it is even more than that. I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for something mind blowing, and mysterious to end a long day with. Halloween is right around the corner, so this would be a great thriller for your fall season!
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-Reviewed by A.A., grade 12.