Shelter

Shelter (Book One): A Mickey Bolitar Novel by Harlan Coben 2011 Realistic Fiction SLJ Gr 9 and up; Kirkus age 12 and up; PW age 12 and up Recommended by Merrimack Middle School

Link to the NHU PAC entry [|here]

Publishers Weekly
In this suspenseful, well-executed spin­off of his bestselling Myron Bolitar mystery series for adults, Coben introduces readers to Myron’s nephew Mickey, a high school sophomore who is reluctantly living with his uncle after his father died in a car crash and his mother went into rehab. When Mickey’s new girlfriend, Ashley, vanishes just weeks into the school year, Mickey attempts to find her. With the aid of new friends Spoon and Ema, Mickey discovers that everything he knew about Ashley was false, and the truth is fraught with danger. Simultan­eous­ly, he looks into the history of the enigmatic Bat Lady, a local recluse who claims to have knowledge of his father. As the two mysteries intertwine, Mickey learns more than he ever expected about those closest to him. While Mickey’s voice is occasionally too sophisticated for his age, and he’s a little too good to be true, it doesn’t make this thriller any less enjoyable. Coben’s semi-noir style translates well to YA, and the supporting cast is thoroughly entertaining. It’s a strong start to the series. Ages 12–up. (Sept.)

Comments:

Some concerns because of the sex trafficking storyline... Lisa/Durham

Took me ages to get into this book...very formulaic...just a tad unbelievable but just good clean fun. Nancy/former Barrington

Yes, I agree this was pretty formulaic and unbelievable; too many coincidences, just-right timing of events, and breadcrumbs placed right where Mickey can find them, but isn't this the nature of mystery writing? The reader is much quicker to put the pieces together than our hero, and I found myself frustrated with some of the hard-headed choices he was making. I didn't have a problem with the sex trafficking (it seemed to only glance upon that as a first book in a series) but it did seem overall that the storyline was more appropriate to high school age. Yvette/Merrimack

I also found it more high school than our age, and while I have had it since November, and shown it to my older readers, it has not taken off here. I'd pass on this. Amy / Barrington MS