Bibliography
Frost, Helen. 2011. HIDDEN. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. ISBN: 9780374382216
Plot Summary
HIDDEN is about a girl named Wren who is accidentally kidnapped after a man steals her mother's minivan to use as a getaway car after a convenience store robbery. The thief drives the van home, but doesn't know eight-year-old Wren is hiding under a blanket in the back. He locks up the van in the garage, and Wren spends a few days trapped in the garage before escaping. Darra, who is the thief's daughter, figures out Wren might be in the garage after seeing news reports about the missing girl. This prompts her to leave out a sandwich and a bottle of water for Wren who she knew was hiding in her dad's boat. Six years later when Wren and Darra are both fourteen years old, they unexpectedly both end up at the same summer camp, and eventually realize they have to talk about what happened in order to find closure.
HIDDEN is about a girl named Wren who is accidentally kidnapped after a man steals her mother's minivan to use as a getaway car after a convenience store robbery. The thief drives the van home, but doesn't know eight-year-old Wren is hiding under a blanket in the back. He locks up the van in the garage, and Wren spends a few days trapped in the garage before escaping. Darra, who is the thief's daughter, figures out Wren might be in the garage after seeing news reports about the missing girl. This prompts her to leave out a sandwich and a bottle of water for Wren who she knew was hiding in her dad's boat. Six years later when Wren and Darra are both fourteen years old, they unexpectedly both end up at the same summer camp, and eventually realize they have to talk about what happened in order to find closure.
Critical Analysis
HIDDEN is a verse novel written for young adults. Frost uses two alternating points of view, each told in the first person, to tell the story. Frost also uses two different styles of poetry for each girl's voice. This helps distinguish the differences between the two main characters, Wren Abbott and Darra Monson. The alternating points of view also help provide imagery to the reader. The story is very moving and is sure to appeal to teen readers who can identify with the emotions of the two main characters. The development of the friendship between Wren and Darra is certain to connect with many teen readers as well.
HIDDEN is suspenseful and will definitely keep the reader's interest. The author includes hidden messages throughout the text that one can go back and find at the end. Helen Frost points out in the end section "Diving Deeper: Notes on Form" that "Darra's poems are written in a form invented for this book. The last words of the long lines, when read down the right side of the page, give further insight into her story." Wren's poems, on the other hand, are written in free verse, which Frost describes as "the placement of words on the page is something like musical notation."
The book teaches the reader, that despite differences, oftentimes people can be friends if only they take the time to learn about each other. It also conveys the message that it is not wise to make assumptions without hearing all of the facts of a another person's side of a story. The ending of this book made me wishing there was more. Perhaps Helen Frost could write a follow up book.
HIDDEN is a verse novel written for young adults. Frost uses two alternating points of view, each told in the first person, to tell the story. Frost also uses two different styles of poetry for each girl's voice. This helps distinguish the differences between the two main characters, Wren Abbott and Darra Monson. The alternating points of view also help provide imagery to the reader. The story is very moving and is sure to appeal to teen readers who can identify with the emotions of the two main characters. The development of the friendship between Wren and Darra is certain to connect with many teen readers as well.
HIDDEN is suspenseful and will definitely keep the reader's interest. The author includes hidden messages throughout the text that one can go back and find at the end. Helen Frost points out in the end section "Diving Deeper: Notes on Form" that "Darra's poems are written in a form invented for this book. The last words of the long lines, when read down the right side of the page, give further insight into her story." Wren's poems, on the other hand, are written in free verse, which Frost describes as "the placement of words on the page is something like musical notation."
The book teaches the reader, that despite differences, oftentimes people can be friends if only they take the time to learn about each other. It also conveys the message that it is not wise to make assumptions without hearing all of the facts of a another person's side of a story. The ending of this book made me wishing there was more. Perhaps Helen Frost could write a follow up book.
Review Excerpt(s)
2012 American Library Association Notable Books for Children Award Winner
2012 Lee Bennett Hopkins Children's Poetry Award Honor Book
2012 Black-Eyed Susan Book Award Nominee
2013 Great Lakes' Great Books Award Nominee
BOOKLIST review: "Though Wren and Darra have never even made eye contact, they share a secret history that changed both of their lives. When they were eight, Wren hid in Darra’s family’s garage for several days after Darra’s father stole a van, unaware that Wren was in the backseat. Darra knew Wren was hiding and did her eight-year-old best to offer silent comfort, then felt betrayed when Wren’s escape drew the police, leading to her father’s arrest. Now the girls find themselves cabinmates at summer camp in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Seeing Darra brings long-submerged rage and fear back to the surface for Wren, while Darra remains angry at Wren for the havoc she caused, unhappy as Darra’s family may have been. Forced into close proximity, the girls gradually get to know one another again—and for the first time. Like Frost’s Printz Honor Book, Keesha’s House (2003), this novel in verse stands out through its deliberate use of form to illuminate emotions and cleverly hide secrets in the text." - Heather Booth. Booklist
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review: "An eight-year-old waits in the family's minivan while her mother goes into a convenience store. When she hears a gunshot, she scrambles to hide under a blanket in the back, and then someone rushes into the van and drives away without knowing she's there. This novel in verse is told in two first-person voices. Wren is the girl in the van, and Darra (also age eight) is the daughter of the man who robs the store and inadvertently kidnaps Wren. He drives home, and she's trapped in their garage for several days before she escapes. Darra is aware of her presence and tries to come up with a plan that won't implicate her father, but Wren is already gone. The book then jumps ahead six years, to the summer camp in Michigan where the two girls meet. This original blend of crime tale, psychological study, and friendship story is a page-turner that kids will love. There are a few plausibility issues, but there are many more strengths. Wren's captivity in the garage is truly suspenseful, and the various interactions of the kids at the sleepover camp are a study in shifting alliances. The book also touches on some deeper issues, like how you can love a parent who is sometimes abusive, and how sensitive kids can blame themselves for things that aren't really their fault. Smoothly written, this novel carries a message of healing and hope." -Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL School Library Journal
Connections
2012 American Library Association Notable Books for Children Award Winner
2012 Lee Bennett Hopkins Children's Poetry Award Honor Book
2012 Black-Eyed Susan Book Award Nominee
2013 Great Lakes' Great Books Award Nominee
BOOKLIST review: "Though Wren and Darra have never even made eye contact, they share a secret history that changed both of their lives. When they were eight, Wren hid in Darra’s family’s garage for several days after Darra’s father stole a van, unaware that Wren was in the backseat. Darra knew Wren was hiding and did her eight-year-old best to offer silent comfort, then felt betrayed when Wren’s escape drew the police, leading to her father’s arrest. Now the girls find themselves cabinmates at summer camp in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Seeing Darra brings long-submerged rage and fear back to the surface for Wren, while Darra remains angry at Wren for the havoc she caused, unhappy as Darra’s family may have been. Forced into close proximity, the girls gradually get to know one another again—and for the first time. Like Frost’s Printz Honor Book, Keesha’s House (2003), this novel in verse stands out through its deliberate use of form to illuminate emotions and cleverly hide secrets in the text." - Heather Booth. Booklist
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review: "An eight-year-old waits in the family's minivan while her mother goes into a convenience store. When she hears a gunshot, she scrambles to hide under a blanket in the back, and then someone rushes into the van and drives away without knowing she's there. This novel in verse is told in two first-person voices. Wren is the girl in the van, and Darra (also age eight) is the daughter of the man who robs the store and inadvertently kidnaps Wren. He drives home, and she's trapped in their garage for several days before she escapes. Darra is aware of her presence and tries to come up with a plan that won't implicate her father, but Wren is already gone. The book then jumps ahead six years, to the summer camp in Michigan where the two girls meet. This original blend of crime tale, psychological study, and friendship story is a page-turner that kids will love. There are a few plausibility issues, but there are many more strengths. Wren's captivity in the garage is truly suspenseful, and the various interactions of the kids at the sleepover camp are a study in shifting alliances. The book also touches on some deeper issues, like how you can love a parent who is sometimes abusive, and how sensitive kids can blame themselves for things that aren't really their fault. Smoothly written, this novel carries a message of healing and hope." -Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL School Library Journal
Connections
- This book could prompt a discussion about what to do if kidnapped.
- It could also prompt discussion about bullying and friendship
- This book introduces readers to verse poetry.
Other books by Helen Frost:
- Frost, Helen. 2006. THE BRAID. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. ISBN: 9780374309626
- Frost, Helen. 2009. CROSSING STONES. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. ISBN: 9780374316532
- Frost, Helen. 2008. DIAMOND WILLOW. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. ISBN: 9780374317768
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