SuitabookHide and seek
Jane Casey
- Reading
- Before reading, mention that a classmate is kidnapped and held near a deserted beach. During the book, pause to discuss clues and Jess’s choices; afterwards, check how the rescue and danger were handled.
- Themes
- Festive surroundings and danger: Port Sentinel is decorated for Christmas and hosts a market, while a classmate is being held captive nearby. The book presents competing or mixed signals about this.
- Jess’s agency: Jess may be the only person able to work out where her classmate is and help rescue her. The premise places Jess in a potentially important role, but it does not show whether her actions are praised, questioned or successful.
- Worth knowing
- The kidnapping, the classmate being held captive and the deserted-beach cottage create fear and suspense. Consider whether a missing-person rescue plot feels manageable for your reader at present.