Wednesday, June 11, 2014

[Book Review] If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch

Fiction/Young Adult

Andrea reviews IF YOU FIND ME by Emily Murdoch (St. Martin’s Griffin, 2013)
This is a touching, painful story of sisters Carey and Jenessa who have only had each other to survive. When their crystal meth-addicted mother abandons the girls in a broken-down camper deep in the Tennessee forests, it is up to 15-year-old Carey to feed, clothe, and take care of young Jenessa. Carey constantly reminds herself as long as they have each other, the two of them are home.

Mama has been gone on the longest binge ever and it doesn't seem like she is coming back to the girls. The girls are surviving on only two pairs of clothes and eating canned beans each meal. After their mother has been gone over two months, a social worker and a man claiming to be their father come to their rescue. Just as Carey is suspicious of the strangers’ motives, she wants the best for her baby sister who loves Mrs. Haskill and Charles wholeheartedly and immediately.

As Charles arranges to have sole custody of his girls and blend them in with his new family, anger and tension ensue. Soon, taking care of Jenessa becomes the primary focus for each family member (even for the lovable blue-tick hound, Shorty) so trust replaces suspicion and secrets are shared with each other.

This young adult novel is an emotional roller coaster. Readers will not soon forget Carey and Jenessa’s plight.

Andrea, Poplar-White Station Library

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