Girl, Stolen

Cheyenne Wilder, a 16-year-old blind girl with pneumonia, is asleep in her stepmother's car when Griffin, a teenage car thief, steals the vehicle without realizing she's inside. Upon discovering his accidental kidnapping, Griffin takes her to his home where his father, a professional car thief, sees an opportunity for ransom due to Cheyenne's wealthy family background. Griffin's father and his criminal associates develop plans that put Cheyenne in increasing danger, while she battles both her worsening pneumonia and her captivity. Despite her blindness and illness, Cheyenne must use her other senses and intelligence to navigate her precarious situation and find a way to escape. This fast-paced young adult thriller explores themes of survival, trust, and the complexity of human nature through the unique perspective of a protagonist who must rely on senses other than sight. The story challenges assumptions about disability while examining the moral choices people make under pressure.

Readers report finishing this YA thriller in one or two sittings, drawn in by the fast pace and short chapters. The book maintains tension throughout its 224 pages. Readers appreciated: - Realistic portrayal of blindness and adaptation - Complex relationship between captor and victim - Technical details about cars and self-defense - Clean content suitable for younger teens Common criticisms: - Predictable plot points - Underdeveloped secondary characters - Abrupt ending that feels rushed - Some found the protagonist's voice unconvincing Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.0/5 from 17,000+ ratings Amazon: 4.5/5 from 500+ reviews Common Sense Media: 4/5 from parents, 4/5 from kids Several teachers and librarians noted the book appeals to reluctant readers. One reviewer wrote: "My students who claim to hate reading couldn't put it down." Multiple blind readers praised the accurate representation of visual impairment.

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🔍 The author, April Henry, worked as a corporate writer in the healthcare industry before becoming a full-time novelist. 🦮 Henry conducted extensive research on blindness, including spending time with blind teenagers and learning basic orientation and mobility techniques. 💫 The book was inspired by two real-life cases: a blind woman who was carjacked and a teenager who was kidnapped while sleeping in the backseat of a car. 🏆 "Girl, Stolen" has won multiple state book awards and was chosen as a Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers by YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association). 📚 A sequel titled "Count All Her Bones" was published in 2017, continuing Cheyenne's story and exploring the aftermath of her kidnapping experience.