Hidden - Helen Frost

Publisher:  Farrar, Straus, and Giroux

Pages:  160

Genre:  Realistic Fiction

Source:  I received a copy from the publisher for review

Description from Amazon

When Wren Abbot and Darra Monson are eight years old, Darra’s father steals a minivan.  He doesn’t know that Wren is hiding in the back.  The hours and days that follow change the lives of both girls.  Darra is left with a question that only Wren can answer.  Wren has questions, too.

Years later, in a chance encounter at camp, the girls face each other for the first time.  They can finally learn the truth – that is, if they’re willing to reveal to each other the stories that they’ve hidden for so long.  Told from alternating viewpoints, this novel-in-poems reveals the complexities of memory and the strength of a friendship that can overcome pain.

My Reivew

I loved the premise of the book when I read about it online. When I received a copy for review I was thrilled. The story is told in poetry and alternating points of view. You have Wren's story about being inadvertently kidnapped by Darra's father. Then you have Darra's story. It is obvious that they blame each other for what they perceive to be the truth. It isn't until they end up at the same camp that they learn each other's stories. At first they try to ignore each other. When they are finally put in a situation where they must face each other, then the healing can begin. I kept thinking how I would feel if I was each of them. They each were right in their feelings if you look at their situation through their eyes. The one thing I really loved about this book was the author's note that told you about a special form. If you read the author's note she tells you how to go back into Darra's story and read it a special way to get a hidden story. This was simple, yet suspenseful. This is a book that didn't even make it to my school shelves before it was checked out. An excellent book to recommend to everyone, especially to reluctant readers. They see the short lines and think they can read it. Once they get into the story they are hooked.