Book Review: Found

Found by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Recommended for: 8 and up 

Rating: PG (mild violence)

Thirteen-year-old Jonah has always known that he was adopted, and he's never thought it was any big deal. Then he and a new friend, Chip, who's also adopted, begin receiving mysterious letters. The first one says, "You are one of the missing." The second one says, "Beware! They're coming back to get you."

Jonah, Chip, and Jonah's sister, Katherine, are plunged into a mystery that involves the FBI, a vast smuggling operation, an airplane that appeared out of nowhere -- and people who seem to appear and disappear at will. The kids discover they are caught in a battle between two opposing forces that want very different things for Jonah and Chip's lives.

Do Jonah and Chip have any choice in the matter? And what should they choose when both alternatives are horrifying? 

After enjoying another series by Margret Peterson Haddix, I decided to read Found, and was not disappointed. I love stories about time travel, and this series will probably be added to my list of favorites.

Writing: 4.5/5

Haddix's writing pulls you into the story. She makes it interesting and there weren't any parts where it dragged. The reading level is very easy, but the book is written for ages 8-12. There were several typos and at the beginning of one chapter it says very clearly that Chip was at the dentist, and then Katherine throws the basketball at him.

Setting: 5/5

This book is set in modern time (no year is specified) in a town in Ohio. There is not much to the setting in this book but it was good.

Plot: 5/5

In Found, Jonah and his friend Chip, get mysterious letters in the mail. Jonah and Chip then start trying to find out more about their adoptions. Their investigations lead them to problems that they never expected. This book mainly just sets up for the series, but it was a good introduction.

Character Development: 5/5

The characters were well developed, and even though they have flaws, they are still likeable. One thing I liked is that throughout the story, Jonah and Katherine start getting along with each other. The cast of characters is not large, but each one is unique.

I enjoyed reading Found, and I am excited to learn more about the characters and their pasts in future books.