Want to Go Private? by Sarah Littman

Here’s a blurb from Ms. Littman’s website:  When Abby meets Luke online, she can’t believe her luck. He’s nice. He’s funny. He listens to her and he thinks she’s pretty. He even gets jealous of other guys, which is adorable. Without Luke, Abby’s not sure how she’d make it through her first year of high school. Everyone, including her mom and her best friend, Faith, tells Abby that if she just made more of an effort, she’d be having fun instead of dreading each and every day as if it’s a prison sentence. But there’s nothing fun about being the lowest link in the social food chain.

Abby knows she’s not supposed to chat with random guys online. But Luke isn’t random, and he isn’t a stranger. Best of all, he really loves her. So what if she never goes out with her friends anymore and her grades are slipping? All she needs is Luke. Luke is her secret, and she’s his — it’s perfect that way. So when Luke suggests that they meet each other in person, Abby agrees. And then she’s gone. Missing. Without a trace. And everyone is left to put together the pieces. If they don’t, they’ll never see Abby again...

My Take

It is so frightening to think about a child just disappearing.  And worse, you know they are with a sex offender and you’re left behind, helpless.  How terrifying.  Abby’s descent down the rabbit hole was difficult (to see as a parent) but absolutely realistic as well.

I can fully see how teens get sucked into the vortex of communicating with these predators.  Abby was a great character.  It was scary to see her separating herself from her friends and family.  Similar to watching an accident happen.  Her friends and family were all wonderful characters as well.  I think Ms. Littman did a wonderful job relaying a story that is a very real concern for teens today.  Her characters were likable, relatable and very human.  It would be a great book for teens to read and discuss with friends and family.  Maybe giving them pause to consider what they would do given the same situation.  This is another one of the books on the Contemps Challenge for this year as well.  This one gets 4 ½ kisses!