Kidnapped, Book 1: The Abduction

Description

138 pages
$6.99
ISBN 0-439-84777-X
DDC jC813'.54

Publisher

Year

2006

Contributor

Reviewed by Darleen R. Golke

Darleen R. Golke is a high-school teacher-librarian in Abbotsford, B.C.

Review

The Falconer family of the On the Run series returns in the first of a
new set of adventures for 11-year-old Meg and 15-year-old Aiden. After
being accused and convicted of “aiding foreign terrorists,” the
parents served 14 months in prison and the children spent eight weeks as
fugitives eluding the FBI and other agencies. Now the Falconers try to
resume normal lives; however, at school Meg and Aiden endure harassment
from “Falconer haters,” and at home the family suffers “abusive
phone calls, nasty notes stuffed in the mailbox,” and a brick through
the front window.

Events spiral out of control with the attempted kidnapping of the
Falconer children. Aiden escapes, but Meg does not. FBI agent Harris,
who initiated the family’s ordeal (“the biggest blunder of his
career”), insists on handling the investigation. Aiden too is
determined to find his sister, and Meg is equally determined to escape.
Events culminate in a hair-raising confrontation, and the book ends with
a stand-off between the kidnappers and the Falconers that sets up the
sequel, The Search (2006).

With trademark fast-paced narrative, snappy dialogue, and familiar
characters, Korman moves the action along swiftly. Although some of the
story’s coincidences stretch credibility, young readers will enjoy
this exciting and entertaining adventure. Recommended.

Citation

Korman, Gordon., “Kidnapped, Book 1: The Abduction,” Canadian Book Review Annual Online, accessed November 12, 2024, https://cbra.library.utoronto.ca/items/show/21861.