The Girl in the White Van by April Henry - HIGH

The Girl in the White Van by April Henry, 213 pages. Christy Ottavino Books, 2020. $18.  

Content: Language: PG-13 (6 swears); Mature Content: PG-13; Violence: PG-13.  

BUYING ADVISORY: HS – ADVISABLE  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

15yo Savannah lives with her mom and her mom’s creepy boyfriend, Tim.  Savannah’s favorite place to escape to is kung fu, where she has a nice friend named Daniel, but Savannah doesn’t dare get too attached to anyone because her mom is always moving them around.  After Savannah finishes class for the night, she is walking home when she is abducted. When Savannah wakes up, she finds herself in an RV with seventeen-year-old Jenny, a girl who was reported missing seven months ago. Jenny and Savannah have to work together to try and get away from “Sir”.  

This is an intense read that I couldn’t put down.  I liked Savannah’s courage and fearlessness and the double story of Jenny and Savannah made for constant action.  Daniel’s character seemed a little flat but gave a different perspective to what was going on.  There is descriptive violence in this book that is upsetting, involving a dog attack which is why I suggest this book for high school and not middle school.  Also, the threat of Sir’s intentions seemed ominous and creepy.  

Reviewer, C. Peterson