Since You've Been Gone

February 24, 2014
Emily Hughes’s best friend Sloane has disappeared without a trace—Emily has called, texted, and driven by her house, but it’s as though Sloane and her family have ceased to exist. Then, one of Sloane’s famous “to do” lists mysteriously shows up, with 13 directives for Emily, including “Kiss a stranger,” “Go skinny-dipping,” and “Dance until dawn.” In Sloane’s absence, the list—full of things she knew Emily would find fun, but a challenge, too—defines Emily’s summer, helping her meet new friends (including cute Frank Porter), come out of her shell, and find a way to hang on to Sloane. Despite the novel’s missing-friend hook, Matson (Second Chance Summer) primarily focuses on Emily’s progress with the list (the resolution of the question “What happened to Sloane?” is the weakest part of an otherwise thoroughly enjoyable story). Matson’s characters feel like familiar, comforting friends, even Sloane, who readers glimpse in periodic flashbacks. It’s a sweet, leisurely read with a title that, thanks to Kelly Clarkson, begs to be shouted out loud. Ages 12–up. Agent: Emily Van Beek, Folio Literary Management.

March 15, 2014
A teenager disappears and leaves behind a quirky to-do list for her best friend. It's the beginning of summer, and Emily is disconsolate; her best friend, Sloane, is nowhere to be found. But she's disappeared before; her parents would occasionally steal Sloane away for a few days, and she would return tanned and with travel tales to tell. Without Sloane, reticent Emily feels like she's lost her spiritual and social tether. Finally, two weeks later, Sloane sends Emily a to-do list in the mail--but without a return address. The list includes daring, funny, incongruous items like "Hug a Jamie," "Steal something," and "Go skinny-dipping," and with the completion of each task, Emily is coaxed farther out of her shell. She recounts the navigation of the deep, unfamiliar waters of self-discovery in a grave, meticulous past tense. As she's on her way to complete the first item, she befriends Frank Porter--a handsome, kind and accomplished fellow student. Emily shares the list with him, and as Frank helps Emily cross off each item, their friendship deepens. Soon, Emily's having to remind herself that Frank has a serious girlfriend out of state, and anyway, they are just friends, right? Interspersed flashbacks provide revealing background into Sloane and Emily's friendship. A winning blend of touching moments, memorable characters and situational humor takes readers to a surprising revelation at the story's end. (Fiction. 12-16)

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April 1, 2014

Gr 7 Up-Emily is bereft when her bubbly and energetic best friend, Sloane, leaves without saying goodbye at the beginning of what should have been the best summer of their lives. Sloane was the one who planned their adventures and befriended everyone they met, and Emily is feeling more than a little lost when a letter arrives from Sloane containing a list of tasks for Emily to do over the summer. Hoping that the list contains clues to Sloane's whereabouts that will become clear as she crosses items off, Emily tackles the challenges, making new friends, overcoming her fears, and gaining confidence as the summer goes on. Readers will root for Emily as she gets a new job, skinny dips, uses the fake ID Sloane got for her, crashes a wedding, and kisses a stranger. Though marred by a few leaps of logic and the occasionally clunky turn of phrase, this is a thoroughly enjoyable book with a terrific romantic subplot and an ending that ties up the loose ends believably and satisfyingly. It will appeal to readers who loved Maureen Johnson's 13 Little Blue Envelopes (HarperCollins, 2005).-Stephanie Klose, Library Journal

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