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Reviewed by: Sarah Wergin, High School Librarian Title: The Reappearance of Rachel Price Author: Holly Jackson Publisher: Delacorte Press
Year: 2024 Good for Grades: 10-12 Genre/Type of Book: Mystery/Thriller
Content Warnings, or things that other School Librarians should be aware of: No Recommended for a school library: Yes Reason(s) for choosing the book: I loved her other series, "A good Girls' Guide to Murder" If you were tasked by the publisher with writing a short quote for the back cover of this book, what would it be: Bel has lived in the shadow of her mother's'' disappearance for 16 years - so when her mother suddenly reappears out of nowhere, you'd think Bell would be ecstatic. However, just like her disappearance, Bel's mothers' reappearance leads to just as many questions.
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Review:
Bel's mother, Rachel Price, disappeared when she was just 2 years old. In the 16 years since, Bel has lived with her mother's disappearance weighing on her. Did she run away? Was she taken? Is she alive, or dead? Why? Bel has avoided these questions, but they are brought back front and center when her father signs a contract to do a in depth documentary on the disappearance of Rachel. So, when Bel is walking home one day, annoyed at the documentary crew, she is in disbelief and shock when she sees her mother walking down the road. Is it really Rachel? Where has she been? Where is she going? When Bel's father returns home to find Rachel, his wife, back again - - Why does he seem angry? What is going on? Struggling with her feelings on Rachel's disappearance and subsequent reappearance, Bel is skeptical of her mother’s miraculous return. Bel is not sure how she should feel about her mother and her story - that seems to have small details change. Is she telling the truth?
The book is a bit predictable in some areas and the ending has a great twist. Holly Jackson cleans the book up and leaves little unanswered. Going into this book - I had high hopes! I absolutely loved her debut series, “A good Girls’ Guide to Murder." I was thinking this book would be on caliber with that series. While it is still a good read, it is not the best book I’ve ever read. I give it 3.5/4 out of 5 stars.
As a teacher you could do a lot with this book. This would make a great book for a detective/mystery class. You could also explore human emotion and psychology. Are Bel's feelings of unease due to her feelings of abandonment? Why does she push everyone away?
I think this would also make a great literature circle book. Students can share their theories on what they think happened, where Rachel really was, and why she decided to come back.
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