THE MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE OF AIDAN S. (as told to his brother) BY DAVID LEVITHAN

Liam’s brother Aidan has disappeared and the whole town is out there trying to help find him. For six terrifying days Aidan’s family are dealing with the possibility he may never be found. The questions of how and why, followed by who took him, run through everyone’s minds. When Aidan miraculously re-appears in the attic, a place that has been searched many times, he is dishevelled and disorientated and everyone is relieved. Then the questions start again and this time Aidan’s story is posing more questions than answers.

Liam and Aidan share a bedroom and in the night time darkness they talk. There is only a year between the brothers and being 11 and 12, they are at an age where fantasy worlds and the truth are divided by a fine line. As the family try to return to their normal lives, Aidan’s explanation of where he had been is examined and turned inside out. His parents don’t believe him, and are confused and angry as to why he can’t tell the truth. The police don’t believe him, apart from one officer who is willing to believe that Aidan believes what he is telling them. Students at his school are divided and then begin to turn against him. The brothers’ relationship is tested and so is the question of friendship and how far it can be stretched before it is broken forever.

Aidan is lost again, but inside his own world where things have changed forever. Trust has gone from his relationship with his family and friends. The only person willing to believe him is his brother Liam. What can they do to bring all their lives back on track? The ending leaves the reader with even more doubt as to what really happened and who actually believes Aidan’s story and why they aren’t coming to his defence.

David Levithan’s novel is a story about trust within the small group of family and the larger group of community. About loyalty and surviving family trauma. The story is intriguing and whether you believe Aidan’s version of events or not, the journey through it is compelling.

For Ages: 10 – 13 years

Number of Pages: 224 in paperback.

Published: February 2021

Themes: trust, bullying, family trauma

Rating: 3.5/5