Monday, July 28, 2014

Wake Up Missing by Kate Messner for MMGM



Wake Up Missing by Kate Messner (Sept 2013, Walker Childrens, for ages 10 to 14)

Source: purchased from B&N

Synopsis (from the publisher):

Four kids . . . 

Two weeks in the Florida Everglades . . . 

One top-secret science experiment that could change them and the world as they know it . . . 

Meet Quentin, a middle-school football star from Chicago; Sarah, a hockey player from Upstate New York; Ben, a horse lover from the Pacific Northwest; and Cat, an artistic bird watcher from California.

The four have little in common except the head injuries that landed them in an elite brain-science center in the wild swamps of Florida. It’s known as the best clinic in the world and promises to return their lives to normal, but as days pass, the kids begin to notice strange side effects and unexplained changes


Why I recommend it: Wake Up Missing is a fascinating combination of futuristic science and old-fashioned adventure and mystery in the Florida swamps. The way the author managed to stir in traumatic brain injuries, a one-eyed alligator, a man who collects butterflies, and four kids from diverse backgrounds (and then season it all with a dash of political intrigue) makes for one remarkable dish. As an adult reader, I found the doctor's experiments a little far-fetched, but I could see my ten-year-old self eating this up. 

You might recognize Kate Messner as the author of the Marty McGuire series of younger chapter books (yay! I love Marty McGuire!), and from Capture the Flag and other novels.

Have you read Wake Up Missing? What did you think? And if you haven't read it, what recent mystery/adventure would you recommend?


Kate Messner's website

Follow Kate on Twitter


For other MMGM posts, see Shannon's links.

(Speaking of missing... I'll be missing from the blogging world for the next few weeks. I'll be back on Monday, August 18th. Hoping to finish a much-needed revision on my latest novel.)

27 comments:

  1. I haven't read this, but it sounds like a book kids would enjoy. I did read her one about tornadoes, Eye of The Storm, which blended science and adventure also.

    Have a great blogging break and hope your revisions go smoothly!

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    1. Thanks, Andrea. And I haven't read Eye of the Storm, but I remember seeing it in the bookstore. One more to add to the TBR list!

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  2. Sounds great – both the premise and the setting. I'll be looking for this one. My favorite mystery this summer was NICKLE BAY NICK. Good luck with your revisions. I am knee deep in that process now and although it is going well, the experience can be overwhelming.

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    1. So true, Greg. It kind of reminded me of Carl Hiaasen, with the Florida element. I still need to check out Nickle Bay Nick. Thanks and good luck to you too!

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  3. No, I have not read this yet. I didn't even know this book existed.
    Now I'm dying to read it. lol

    Thanks for the recommendation, Joanne! :)

    ~Akoss

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    1. Well now you know, Akoss. :) And you're welcome.

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  4. This sounds intriguing--and very different from what else I've read by Messner. I love the diverse cast and the science elements sound fun. Good luck with your revisions--I'm doing those as well now. It can seem like they'll never end!

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    1. Capture the Flag has a diverse cast of characters too, but no futuristic science element.

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  5. I haven't read this and it sounds good. I will look for it. Every now and again a read a book for grown-ups and the last mystery/adventure/thriller I read is a new book by Michael Koryta -- Those Who Wish Me Dead. Wowser! What a ride. One of the two main characters is a fourteen-year-old boy, but while I do recommend it, it's not for kids.

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  6. This sounds like a really good story. There aren't too many middle grade futurist stories. Thanks for sharing it.

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    1. It's not set far in the future, Natalie. It feels like our world, but with some advanced medical science thrown in.

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  7. This looks really interesting! Sigh. My TBR list gets a little longer.

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  8. I'm impressed that you aim to complete your revisions in a month! Good luck! I, meanwhile, will go look for Kate Messner books. Thanks!

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    1. Well, I'm getting there, Kim. This was my ninth draft! So it's finished enough to query, anyway. Hope you get a chance to read something by Kate Messner.

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  9. I have nor read this one- but this book is beautiful! It sounds very unique. I will definitely have to check it out.

    I recently read Walls Within Walls- a fabulous mystery adventure.

    Happy reading and writing!
    ~Jess

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    1. I remember hearing about Walls Within Walls from a fellow bookseller. Sounds intriguing. Thanks, Jess.

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  10. This sounds like a great book! I hadn't heard of it yet, so thanks for sharing. Good luck with your revisions!

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  11. Have not read this one yet, but will! My gosh...sounds so good and I really enjoy her books!

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  12. It sounds interesting! Thanks for featuring it. :o)

    Happy revising!

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  13. I have not read this one yet, but it sounds really interesting!

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  14. Thanks for the review. This sounds different! Maybe I'll check it out. I do love the cover.

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