Stolen Children

Stolen Children follows 14-year-old Amy, who accepts her first babysitting job caring for a three-year-old from a wealthy family. The routine assignment takes a dark turn when both girls are kidnapped and held for ransom by criminals. During their captivity, Amy must stay calm and protect the toddler while looking for ways to alert the authorities. She devises a strategy using the ransom message recordings to embed clues about their location, all while keeping her actions hidden from the kidnappers. The story centers on themes of courage, quick thinking, and responsibility in the face of danger. Through Amy's ordeal, the novel explores how ordinary young people can find strength when confronted with extraordinary circumstances.

Readers describe this book as a fast-paced thriller that keeps kids engaged while remaining age-appropriate for middle grade students. The story moves quickly and maintains tension without becoming too scary or disturbing for younger readers. Liked: - Clear, straightforward writing style - Strong female protagonist who uses intelligence to solve problems - Educational elements about kidnapping safety woven naturally into plot - Short length makes it accessible for reluctant readers Disliked: - Some found the plot resolution too neat and convenient - Adult characters' actions sometimes unrealistic - A few readers wanted more character development Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (90+ ratings) Scholastic: 4/5 (200+ ratings) Reader quote: "My 5th graders couldn't put it down. It sparked good discussions about safety without being preachy." - Teacher review on Goodreads The book appears frequently on school reading lists and has won several state children's choice awards.

Countdown by Deborah Wiles A young girl becomes entangled in a kidnapping plot while witnessing family struggles during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney A teenager discovers her own face on a missing child poster and uncovers the truth about her past.

Girl, Stolen by April Henry A blind teenager must escape from kidnappers who mistakenly abducted her while stealing her stepmother's car.

The Kidnapped Child by Peg Kehret A twelve-year-old uses her wits to survive after being taken by a stranger who claims to be her father.

Don't Tell Anyone by Peg Kehret A middle school student becomes involved in a dangerous situation when she discovers an abandoned baby and tries to help the teenage mother.

🔹 Peg Kehret has written over 60 books for children and young adults, drawing from her own experience surviving polio as a child, which she documented in her autobiography "Small Steps: The Year I Got Polio" 🔹 The character Amy's babysitting certification course in "Stolen Children" reflects real-world safety protocols - the American Red Cross has been offering babysitter training programs since 1980 🔹 The book earned the 2010 Iowa Children's Choice Award, selected by young readers themselves rather than adult judges or critics 🔹 Kehret often writes her novels based on real-world dangers children might face, but deliberately includes problem-solving elements to empower rather than frighten her readers 🔹 Before becoming a children's author, Kehret worked as a writer for radio game shows in Los Angeles, which helped develop her skill for creating suspenseful scenarios