LoveReading Says
In a poignant and thought-provoking debut novel about friendship and loss, Natasha Mac a’Bháird captures the roller-coaster emotions that engulf Maggie after her best friend Ellen is gone. Maggie tells her story partly as letters to Ellen and partly as a touching record of all the years of their friendship. As Maggie charts Ellen’s story, especially in the years when unhappiness grips her after her father leaves home, she increasingly realises that Ellen was getting dangerously out of control – especially in her choice of friends. Wracked with guilt, Maggie feels that she ought to have stopped her. But, as she tells her story, she begins to understand that Ellen was determined to follow her own path and there was nothing that Maggie could do to change that.
LoveReading
Find This Book In
Missing Ellen Synopsis
'Sometimes it feels like I'm the one who's missing, like I'm not really present in my own life any more - I'm like a ghost or something, wandering through school or home or town looking on at everything that's happening and not really a part of it at all.' Ellen and Maggie have been best friends for as long as they can remember - sharing clothes, passions and secrets. When Ellen goes missing, Maggie feels completely alone. Looking back over the upheaval that led to Ellen's disappearance, Maggie tries to make sense of her friend's actions. At school and at home, she feels no one understands what she is going through - except maybe Liam, the boy next door who has always had feelings for Ellen. How will Maggie cope without her best friend? And where on earth is Ellen?
About This Edition
Natasha Mac a'Bhaird Press Reviews
‘A tense and tender portrayal of friendship and loss … beautifully written and completely addictive.’ Laura Jane Cassidy, author of Angel Kiss and Eighteen Kisses
'I really enjoyed Missing Ellen! The believable friendship and the compelling mystery at its core are really involving. A lovely, simply-written book about a complex subject.'
Deirdre Sullivan, author of Prim Improper and Improper Order
'Missing Ellen is a beautifully-crafted novel about love, friendship and everything in between. If you´re looking for a gripping story, look no further: Go and find out what happened to Ellen.’ Michelle Gyo, Editor, Random House Germany
deftly captures the spirit of early adolescence in a book that will appeal to anyone who has ever had a friend that meant the world to them -- yellowbrickreads.com
the author covers the terrain of adolescent emotion with great sensitivity and insight -- the central friendship is believably fraught with tension and affection, jealousy and admiration -- yellowbrickreads.com
a sharp and poignant book about friendship, growing up and loss -- beautifully and sweetly told -- excellent debut leaving readers waiting for more - teachermoloneyking.com
a beautifully crafted book for teens and pre-teens -- the best letters to loved ones book since Love, Aubrey -- an amazingly touching story -- written in a simple, easy to understand style -- a must read -- writing.ie
such a great read -- my only complaint is that it was actually too short! -- the character of Ellen is so well executed -- this book will speak volumes to you about friendships between girls -- I look forward to the next book from this author -- inkandpaperhearts.wordpress.com
a compelling first teen novel -- Evening Echo
About Natasha Mac a'Bhaird
Natasha Mac a'Bhaird is a freelance writer and editor. She is the author of the bestselling wedding planning book, The Irish Bride's Survival Guide, a new edition of which was published in 2011. Her first children's book, Olanna's Big Day, was published in 2009. Olanna's Big Day was included in the White Ravens Collection 2010 and was shortlisted for the Reading Association of Ireland Award 2011. Natasha has written articles for the Evening Herald, Irish Examiner and Image magazine and is a regular book reviewer with Inis - Children's Books Ireland magazine and Book Fest.
More About Natasha Mac a'Bhaird
