The Gravity of Missing Things by Marisa Urgo - HIGH

The Gravity of Missing Things by Marisa Urgo, 320 pages. Entangled Publishing, 2022. $10.

Language: R (75 swears, 1 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Violet’s pilot mother was supposed to be back in time for Violet’s special bow as crew for the high school musical. Not only did she not make it to the school, she never made it back to the United States from Brazil. As news reporters, redditors, the FBI, friends, and family all start chiming in on who her mother was and whether or not she crashed the plane on purpose, Violet clings to a note from her missing mother and the hope that she will still walk in the door.

Urgo highlights the internal war of hope and doubt inside Violet. I had a sense of foreboding throughout the whole book, which connected me, as the reader, with Violet and her struggles. A search for truth soon becomes an excuse to isolate herself from anyone telling Violet something she doesn’t want to hear. While her loved ones don’t have perfect patience, they illustrate how important it is to have a good support system.

Violet, her family, and Landon are implied white. Alex has Cuban family members. The mature content rating is for alcohol use, innuendo, and mentions of nudity, masturbation, and sex. The violence rating is for self harm and discussions of murder and suicide.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen