Parents' Guide to

Found: The Missing, Book 1

By Matt Berman, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 9+

Time-travel series start is suspenseful.

Book Margaret Peterson Haddix Science Fiction 2008
Found: The Missing, Book 1 Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

See all
age 9+

Based on 10 parent reviews

ilovemydaughter
ilovemydaughter Adult
August 2, 2011
age 9+

My Questions

What are some physical characteristics of Jonah, Chip, and Katherine that are told throughout the story? My daughter is confused about that detail and we already returned the novel to the public library so she does not remember for a project she has to do.

This title has:

Great role models
Mommeuv4
Mommeuv4 Parent of 13 and 13-year-old
March 9, 2011
age 11+
This is part of a series that should be read in order. I don't believe it's. Book for a 9 yo unless they are already avid readers.
See all 10 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Neighbors Jonah and Chip, both 13 and both adopted, both receive anonymous letters telling each that he is "one of the missing," and warning them of unspecified danger. After some investigation, they find that they were two of 36 babies found on a mysterious airplane that appeared, and then disappeared, at the airport 13 years earlier. Now they are being stalked by threatening men who can vanish at will, and who may be able to travel through time.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (10):
Kids say (50):

This has all the qualities of a B movie: hokey dialogue, not entirely believable characters, and a science fiction premise where the science doesn't make a whole lot of sense. But, like a B movie, you won't care while you're reading it -- it's just too suspenseful and exciting. This is your classic can't-put-it-down, read-under-the-covers, when's-the-next-one-coming-out thriller.

Margaret Peterson Haddix, author of the popular Shadow Children series, knows a thing or two about suspense, such as how to maintain it without a lot of the usual fighting, battles, and near-death experiences that most authors seem to think are necessary. Of course she uses the usual tricks of the trade: chapter-ending cliffhangers, creepily mysterious events, gradual revelation of dire secrets, and general air of foreboding. But she uses all that in the service of a radically original and intriguing (if still somewhat fuzzy) premise. The cliffhanger ending will have kids panting for the next one.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the book's ideas about time travel -- the Paradox and the Ripple -- presented here.

  • Could time travel really be possible? How could a small change in the past ripple through time?

  • Is it possible to change anything in the past without affecting the present and future?

  • What about the paradox -- would it be possible to stop yourself from being born?

Book Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

See all recommended book lists

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate