If You Find Me | TheBookSeekers

If You Find Me


School year: Lower 6th, Upper 6th, Year 10, Year 11, Year 8, Year 9

No. of pages 336

Published: 2014

Great for age 12-18 years

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What happens in the woods, stays in the woods. . .Carey is keeping a terrible secret. If she tells, it could destroy her future. If she doesn't, will she ever be free?For almost as long as she can remember, Carey has lived in a camper van in the heart of the woods with her drug-addicted mother and six-year-old sister, Jenessa. Her mother routinely disappears for weeks at a time, leaving the girls to cope alone. Survival is Carey's only priority - until strangers arrive and everything changes . . .Jenny Downham, author of BEFORE I DIE, says that IF YOU FIND ME is "a beautiful book about survival, identity, family, love and so much more."

 

 

This book is the winner of numerous awards

This book has been graded for interest at 12-18 years.

There are 336 pages in this book.

It is aimed at Young Adult readers. The term Young Adult (YA) is used for books which have the following characteristics: (1) aimed at ages 12-18 years, US grades 7-12, UK school years 8-15, (2) around 50-75k words long, (3) main character is aged 12-18 years, (4) topics include self-reflection, internal conflict vs external, analyzing life and its meaning, (5) point of view is often in the first person, and (6) swearing, violence, romance and sexuality are allowed.

This book was published in 2014 by Hachette Children's Group .

EMILY MURDOCH lives in the Arizona desert with her husband and adopted dogs, spending her days operating a sanctuary for slaughter-rescued horses and burros. At night, she writes furiously by candlelight, capturing the ideas inspired by the day. If You Find Me is Murdoch's first published novel.

 

This book has been nominated for the following awards:

Capitol Choices Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens - Ages 14+
This book was recognised in the Ages 14+ category by the Capitol Choices Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens.

Waterstones Children's Book Award - Teen
This book was recognised in the Teen category by the Waterstones Children's Book Award.

Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award - YA
This book was recognised in the YA category by the Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award.

Green Mountain Book Award
This book was recognised by the Green Mountain Book Award.

Carnegie Medal
This book was recognised by the Carnegie Award. The CILIP Carnegie Medal is awarded by children’s librarians for an outstanding book written in English for children and young people.

Nutmeg Book Award - Teen
This book was recognised in the Teen category by the Nutmeg Book Award.

Waterstones Children's Book Prize
This book was recognised by the Waterstones Children's Book Prize Award. The Waterstones Children's Book Prize is an annual award given to a work of children's literature published during the previous year. First awarded in 2005, the purpose of the prize is to uncover hidden talent in children's writing" and is therefore open only to authors who have published no more than three books."

Tayshas Reading
This book was recognised by the Tayshas Reading.

Rhode Island Book Awards - Teen
This book was recognised in the Teen category by the Rhode Island Book Awards.

Sequoyah Book Award
This book was recognised by the Sequoyah Book Award.

South Carolina Childrens Junior and Young Adult Book Award
This book was recognised by the South Carolina Childrens Junior and Young Adult Book Award.

Kentucky Blue Grass Award - Grades 9-12
This book was recognised in the Grades 9-12 category by the Kentucky Blue Grass Award.

Murdoch tells a fascinating tale * Books For Keeps *

 

An extraordinary debut novel * Daily Mail *

 

Bittersweet yet gripping ... a gorgeous literary read for teenagers ... breaks and soothes your heart in equal measure * We Love This Book *

 

Thsi story will break your heart, before slowly putting it back together piece by piece * Sugarscape *

 

An emotional rollercoaster of a read that also delivers plenty of plot twists and tension * Turn2Page1 *

 

A remarkable tale ... a stunning debut novel * Hackwriters *

 

This novel will be entering unconventional territory: with dark and challenging content ... Carey's extraordinary narrative voice subtly balances maturity and betrayed innocence ... There's a slow-burning intensity to this story of resilience and hope that will keep readers captivated * Booktrust *

 

Powerful and accomplished * INIS *

 

Challenging, uplifting and contemporary * Metro *

 

This book was so powerful I read it from front to back in one night ... heartbreakingly magnificent * The Guardian *

 

Beautifully written ... captivates you from the first word ... if you only pick up one book this year, make it this one * NewBooksMag *

 

A tale of growing up, bravery and hope * New! Magazine *

 

Will stay with you long after the final page * Bliss *

 

A lovely book * School Librarian *

 

A striking debut novel * The Observer *

 

This is an extraordinary debut novel, touching on dark issues but celebrating the healing power of love. . . it's a promising and rewarding first book. -- Sally Morris * THE DAILY MAIL *

 

I rarely rate books as five stars but in all seriousness, this book is a five. The story, the setting, the characters and the pace were just incredible. I thought that the book was going one way and it actually went another, I half guessed where it was going but I was still happy with it, as much as you can be happy with a story that continually punches you in the gut. I had to stop reading during my few sittings with this book because of the things that were revealed but that is just a sign of a brilliantly written book. * READERAPTOR *

 

I found this book spellbinding and didn't want to put it down. It's one of those wonderful YA crossover books that you feel no shame in reading as an adult... This is a book that makes you appreciate what you have, not in a soppy way, but in a matter of fact one... A lot of the pain in the book is subtle, understated, unemotional, almost because that's the way Carey has had to deal with it. It's not a big deal, except of course it is, it's a huge, massive deal. And yet, because of the low key way she talks about the past, it seems all the more poignant than any woe-is-me misery memoir. This is a book I've been thinking about all weekend, and I finished it some days ago. I suspect I'll be thinking about it for many more days still. * THE BOOKBAG *

 

As a debut pitched in the young adult market it is faultless. The details and scenes within the story were grittier than I was expecting and definitely darker but the fact Murdoch doesn't shy away from this is what makes If you find me all the better. This book comes highly recommended. * THENEXTBIGBOOK *

 

... a powerful read that I have absolutely no qualms recommending. It is (at times) rather emotionally draining, but the unparalleled beauty and feeling in its pages make it wholeheartedly worth it. * REALM OF FICTION *

 

It's an extremely emotional roller coaster of a book, and I bet more than one point will make you cry, but it's full of hope and free will too, which makes you smile. Definitely recommended for thirteen/fourteen and up, this is a must read which I'm sure will capture the hearts of so many people. The characters and the tear-jerking story will stay with you long after you close the book after reading the last page- I know they did with me. * BOOKS AND WRITERS JUNIOR *

 

This latest powerful and accomplished adolescent novel from the US is fuelled by a strong, individualistic voice in the tradition of Huck Finn. * INIS MAGAZINE *

 

Carey is a narrator with a strong voice, as we follow her attempt to control her language and ideas in order to slot back into a world she's been removed from far too long to truly remember. We feel the pain of the secret she carries before it is even revealed, and share her desperation for acceptance and safety. She is frustrating, too, taking a long time to see the truth that becomes sadly obvious to the reader, but in this way she is a more believable voice - heartbreakingly, beautifully real.?? A gorgeous, literary read for teenagers, If You Find Me breaks and soothes your heart in equal measure, with its reminder that home is neither more nor less than the people you love and trust. * WE LOVE THIS BOOK *

 

I honestly can't say anything bad about this book. If You Find Me is one of the most underrated books I have ever read and I can't believe it hasn't won award after award after award. Because it deserves it. Tragic and heartbreaking, it is about two girls against the world, about neglect and about love. Sisterly love, unpredictable love, familial love; it encompasses love in many different shades, with many different meanings and roots - and it is a book you should not miss. * IT WAS LOVELY READING YOU *

 

Murdoch has written a staggering, thought-provoking read. I didn't want to tear my eyes away and the emotions, description and little details make it perfect. I honestly can't find a fault. * TO ANOTHER WORLD *

 

In a league of it's own by far, If You Find Me was a rare gem among the others in it's genre. I can't recommend it highly enough to give it justice. Emily Murdoch is definitely an author I'm going to watch for in the future and I can't wait to read more from her. 5 star worthy completely. * PRETTY LITTLE MEMOIRS *

 

This powerful, moving novel is probably the best thing I've read all year. It's packed with strong themes, all tackled with huge sensitivity and care -- Cathy Cassidy * S MAGAZINE *