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Vanished by Kristi Holl is about a 6th grade girl named Jeri McKane at an all girls boarding school. Her best friend Rosa goes missing while on an art class field trip along with 5 other students and the art teacher Mr. Reeves. The town turns out to help look for the van and missing people. Jeri calls Jake Phillips, a local reporter whom she looks up to, to come and help with the investigation. Then Jeri discovers that Jake’s stories aren’t adding up. Did the van run off the road and crash through the ice on the lake? Did Mr. Reeves kidnap the students? Did Jake have something to do with the disappearance? Jeri is determined to discover the truth.

The main character acts like an older sixth grader. Some of her logic seems to be a bit old for her but perhaps that works for a detective personality.

Overall this was an enjoyable read and not overly preachy. In fact, there are only a few references sprinkled throughout the story of Jeri’s relationship with Jesus. I think this would be fun and appropriate for girls aged 10-12 years. It has just enough suspense to keep you guessing and turning pages without being too scary. ( )

This book by Kristi Holl was a good read. It is an easy read but one in which you do get invoved in teh characters. It is an enjoyable short, easy read.

J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the 'Isms'" ( )

This is the first in the Faithgirlz boarding school mysteries. Jeri wants to be an investigative reporter but she didn't think the first case she would have to solve would be the disappearance of a school van with six students and a teacher in it. One of the students is her roommate Rosa. Jeri is a sixth grader. She discovers lots of clues and has a lot of suspects. She manages to solve the problem. This is a good middle grade mystery with a definite Christian bent. ( )