Missing (Sue Whiting, Walker Books)

A mother is missing in the jungles of Panama and a father and daughter are attempting to discover the truth behind her disappearance. This is the premise of Sue Whiting’s new middle-grade adventure, which unfolds through the eyes of 13-year-old Mackenzie, who is quietly brave and likable. Mackenzie’s reactions to losing her mother are easy to empathise with, but she is also hiding a secret. The chapters switch effortlessly between Then and Now, which keeps the narrative engrossing to its emotional end; readers aged 10 and up will be unable to put this book down. The settings are vivid across both time periods, from the corridors and classrooms of a Sydney all-girls school to the swarming, sweaty streets of Boquete and the Panama mountains. Mackenzie’s plight will pull on readers’ heartstrings, and the challenges she experiences are sometimes devastating. However, this book is as much about resilience and acceptance as it is about trauma and grief, and there are many important themes that can be pulled out of the narrative for further discussion. Missing is perfect for young fans of contemporary mysteries, but also for reluctant readers who need to be hooked right away with rich storytelling and suspense.

Karys McEwen is the head of library at Glen Eira College in Melbourne

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