Review of "Found"

"Angela could see all the way to the back of the plane, and not a single person stood in her view, not a single voice answered her."

     In Found, the exciting series kick-off by Margaret Peterson Haddix, thirteen-year-old Jonas receives a mysterious letter in the mail: "You are one of the missing." At first he disregards it as some sort of joke, but when he and his friend Chip begin to receive more, they become concerned that something much bigger is going on. Things become more complicated when the FBI step in, concerned that the two boys might just be victims of an infant-smuggling ring. But as the mysteries begin to pile up, rational explanations become few and far between...until Angela, a strange woman with the ability to appear and disappear at will, steps into the picture, bringing with her an opportunity for the boys to change the world, and the course of history with it.

     Haddix has a refreshingly mature writing style for a YA/older-children's book. Jonas's tale is recorded in clear, concise writing. His parents are protective but not overdone, his sister annoying but not Put The Book Down worthy--in fact, she's a great character--and the story is both well-paced and intriguing. Clues and mysteries are introduced at believable intervals, dialogue feels realistic, and when the answers are finally revealed, it's like there was never another logical option. Plot twists aren't gasp-worthy, but the danger, intrigue, and stakes will keep you on your toes with every turn of the page.

     The plot of Found is great. Action, adventure, sibling rivalry, and time travel work together to create a fun, exciting read with great themes. Jonas, Chip, and Jonas's sister, Katherine, quickly go from ordinary kids to major figures in a plot to kidnap and make a profit off of infants and young children. This isn't ordinary human trafficking, though, and it isn't slavery. This is a matter of physics, adoption, and the application of mathematics sending people back in time to commit a terrible crime that will have repercussions--or "ripples"--across the time continuum. What Jonas and his friends must decide is which side to join: those committing the crime, or those who want to ruin their lives by stopping it.

     This is a kid's book--technically--but it is perfectly suitable for an older reader in the mood for a bit of fun. Characters don't cuss. Kidnapping is a major theme, as it's the source of one of the conflicts. Violence isn't used often, but it is used. Throughout the book, characters grapple, Taser people, and threaten to kill each other. One of the nice things about this book is that while the parents are relatively clueless, they aren't disrespected and they genuinely try to help with what they perceive to be the problem. The series is also a great way for parents to get their kids interested in history, as the characters spend a lot of time exploring it in future books.

     I would recommend this book to anyone in the market for a lighthearted read about adventure, time travel, and high stakes, told through great writing and a strong voice. The characters undergo some serious development, and by the end of the book it's easy to believe that they can change the world. For mystery, brilliant logic, relatable characters, and a great plot, I think it's perfectly reasonable to award Margaret Peterson Haddix's Found a full five stars.