Missing Ellen

Book Description

‘A tense and tender portrayal of friendship and loss. Missing Ellen is beautifully written and completely addictive.’ Laura-Jane Cassidy, author of Angel Kiss & Eighteen Kisses

Ellen and Maggie have been best friends for as long as they can remember – sharing clothes, passions and secrets. When Ellen goes missing, Maggie feels completely alone. Looking back over the upheaval that led to Ellen’s disappearance, Maggie tries to make sense of her friend’s actions. At school and at home, she feels no one understands what she is going through – except maybe Liam, the boy next door who has always had feelings for Ellen.

How will Maggie cope without her best friend? And where on earth is Ellen?

Review

deftly captures the spirit of early adolescence in a book that will appeal to anyone who has ever had a friend that meant the world to them (yellowbrickreads.com)

the author covers the terrain of adolescent emotion with great sensitivity and insight (yellowbrickreads.com)

the central friendship is believably fraught with tension and affection, jealousy and admiration (yellowbrickreads.com)

a sharp and poignant book about friendship, growing up and loss (http://teachermoloneyking.com)

beautifully and sweetly told (http://teachermoloneyking.com)

an excellent debut leaving readers waiting for more (http://teachermoloneyking.com)

a beautifully crafted book for teens and pre-teens (writing.ie)

the best “letters to loved ones” book since “Love, Aubrey” (writing.ie)

an amazingly touching story (writing.ie)

written in a simple, easy to understand style (writing.ie)

a must read (writing.ie)

such a great read (inkandpaperhearts.wordpress.com)

my only complaint is that it was actually too short! (inkandpaperhearts.wordpress.com)

the character of Ellen is so well executed (inkandpaperhearts.wordpress.com)

this book will speak volumes to you about friendships between girls (inkandpaperhearts.wordpress.com)

I look forward to the next book from this author (inkandpaperhearts.wordpress.com)

a compelling first teen novel (Evening Echo)

it was great–and strange–to have something propel me right back into secondary school and growing up in Ireland (Goodreads)

readers are sure to identify with the pressurised environment of the school setting and the exploration of themes such as peer pressure, bullying, first crushes, friendship and loss (Children’s Books Ireland Recommended Reads Guide 2013)

sensitive and well-written … an excellent read for mature readers. Highly recommended (Children’s Books Ireland Recommended Reads Guide 2013)

9/10 … makes you keep reading … had me guessing at all the possibilities of how she could have disappeared (TheGuardian.com)

with so many great first-timers this month, it’s hard to pick a favourite. Have a look and try for yourself! – but have to admit, we do really love Missing Ellen by Natasha Mac a’Bhaird (lovereading4kids.co.uk)

this book is the reason why I adore contemporary young adult fiction (whatdanielledidnext.com)

Mac a’ Bhßird is a stunning writer and her coming of age tale is both hopeful and poignant (whatdanielledidnext.com)

Missing Ellen is a wonderful novel with characters so recognisable you can’t help but care for, a story that is both captivating and affecting and one that you will remember long after you close its covers. Simply gorgeous (whatdanielledidnext.com)

a thoughtful, affecting and very well written novel (booksforkeeps)

glad I read this little gem … bitterly sad but I would recommend this novel to any young girl (www.gobookyourself.info)

Natasha does a fantastic job representing what we all go through as teenagers … adults will also enjoy (or cringe) at the memories this story will resurrect (www.gobookyourself.info)

engaging … a good read … worth checking out (YAYeahYeah.com)

I was choked up more than once while reading … very easy to connect to and even easi