How to Disappear

How to Disappear by Sharon Huss Roat
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

You know I bought this book thinking that it might be a good read, but not really have a lot of depth to it. I am thrilled to say that I was wrong. I would love to hear that this book is being assigned in high schools. It really brings to light how kids on the outskirts of school society struggle and the ease in which someone could help them. By my senior year, I was eating lunch in a corner of the library and counting down the days until I could get out of there. It would have changed EVERYTHING if someone would have just invited me to sit with them and talked to me during the day.

There was foreshadowing throughout, which upped the intensity, because I just knew something was going to happen. It’s those little hints that keep a reader glued to the page. You keep reading, because you need to know what is going to happen.

I think it was the focus on social media that initially made me feel that there may not be a lot of depth to the story. Ironically, it was the social media aspect that made this book great. The fact that Instagram was being used in such a way to affect the way teenagers around the country were treating others was great. Vicky’s actions were small, but they had a ripple affect beyond what she could have done on her own.

All-in-all, I feel like this book really focuses on showing teens how their small everyday actions can have an impact on those around them for better or worse. Maybe someone will think before acting, whether online or in-person. It kind or reminds me of a teenage version of Wonder. There are of course many differences, but the message is the same, there is power in being kind and being there for others.

Author: Sharon Huss Roat
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: August 15th 2017

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