by Joan Bauer
First published 2014
Anna arrives in Rosemont to stay with her grandmother Mim while her parents work through their marriage troubles. The town prides itself on safety with its unofficial motto that nothing bad ever happens here. Anna throws herself into preparing for the annual Flower Festival, with its elaborate floats and marching bands. But during the busy festival preparations, she spots something disturbing. A girl about her age appears to be held captive, and the fear in the girl's eyes haunts Anna. She knows she should report what she saw, following the principle that when you witness something wrong, you must speak up. The problem is that adults dismiss her concerns. They cannot believe anything sinister could happen in peaceful Rosemont. Anna refuses to let the matter drop. She decides to investigate on her own, determined to help the frightened girl despite the obstacles she faces. Her search for the truth tests her courage and forces her to grow up faster than expected.
Genres: coming-of-age, mystery, contemporary, young-adult
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: amateur-sleuth, unreliable-narrator
Setting: Rosemont
Period: contemporary
272 pages · Hardcover · Viking Books for Young Readers
Content warnings: kidnapping