I finished this book in a day, so it's a quick read. I like the plot, and it opens up conversation about a meaningful theme of which most of my students can offer personal insight: abandonment. One reviewer stated it was completely unrealistic that a daughter would still hold out hope...that long... that her parents would return for her.....wow....reader, unfortunately, some young people not only hope for that for what you describe as an unbelievable amount of time, it actually becomes a roadblock to his/her social/emotional growth, and spills over into academic underachievement. Many different discussion directions provided by this novel: coping strategies...healthy or unhealthy? (Eating disorders, selective mutism, foster care, lack of trust, an inability to build or maintain normal peer relationships within the school setting, depression, counseling, overachieving in school as it relates to perfectionism, etc etc.) My least favorite part: when a caseworker tells this little girl that if her parents love her, they will come back for her. Sadly, just like in any profession, we have some people who just suck at their jobs, and would actually say something like this, thinking nothing of the additional confusion and cognitive dissonance caused by making such a flippant statement. "They Never Came Back" by Caroline Cooney is a wonderfully written book. Not only is it suspensful, but it leaves you wondering at the end of the chapters (which is great in my case because I read 3-5 chapters a night). The end couldv'e been a little more suspensful, just for effect. Overall this book was very clear in the theme. It has a few confusing moments, but I loved the storyline. DEFINATELY a MUST READ!
What do You think about They Never Came Back (2010)?
I really enjoyed this book. Can't wait to read some more of Ms. Cooney's books. :D
—fairy
One of those books where the ending is POINTLESS!
—witch
