The Missing Girl

The Missing Girl follows five sisters - Beauty, Mim, Stevie, Fancy, and Autumn Herbert - who live with their widowed father in a small town. A man watches them from afar, noting their daily routines and movements through the neighborhood. The sisters navigate typical teenage concerns while remaining unaware of the stranger's growing obsession. Their close bond helps them deal with their modest circumstances and the lingering grief of losing their mother years ago. The tension builds as the watcher's interest intensifies and he begins to formulate a plan. The story alternates between the sisters' perspectives and the unnamed man's disturbing observations. This psychological thriller explores themes of vulnerability, family bonds, and the false sense of security that can exist in seemingly safe communities. The narrative raises questions about how well we can protect those we love.

Readers praise the book's realistic portrayal of stalking and predatory behavior from multiple perspectives. Many reviews highlight the effective use of alternating viewpoints between the sisters and their stalker. Several note the building tension and creepy atmosphere. Common criticism focuses on the slow pacing, particularly in the first half. Some readers found the multiple sister perspectives confusing or difficult to distinguish. A recurring complaint is the abrupt ending, which left many feeling unsatisfied. Reviews frequently mention the book's success at depicting small-town life and family dynamics. Parents and teachers note its value for discussing personal safety with teens. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.5/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 3.7/5 (40+ ratings) "The stalker's perspective was chilling without being gratuitous" - Goodreads reviewer "Too many characters to keep straight" - Amazon reviewer "Wanted more resolution at the end" - Teen reader on Common Sense Media

Girl, Stolen by April Henry A blind teenager must escape from a kidnapper who took her by accident when stealing her stepmother's car.

Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott A fifteen-year-old girl lives under complete control of her kidnapper while helping him search for his next victim.

What Happened to Cass McBride? by Gail Giles After a boy commits suicide, his brother buries a girl alive as revenge for her role in the death.

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 identity.

Deep and Dark and Dangerous by Mary Downing Hahn A thirteen-year-old girl unravels the mystery of a drowned child whose spirit returns to seek revenge.

📚 Author Norma Fox Mazer wrote over 30 books during her career and won multiple awards, including a Newbery Honor for "After the Rain." 🎓 The book delves into themes of stalking and predatory behavior, which Mazer researched extensively by interviewing both victims and law enforcement professionals. 👯‍♀️ The five Herbert sisters in the story were inspired by Mazer's experience growing up with multiple siblings and her observations of close-knit sister relationships. 🏆 "The Missing Girl" was named an ALA Best Book for Young Adults and received acclaim for its realistic portrayal of family dynamics under stress. 📖 The story is uniquely told through multiple perspectives, including chapters from the stalker's point of view, which was considered groundbreaking for young adult literature at the time of its publication.