The One Left Behind

by Willo Davis Roberts

Mandy awoke in darkness. For a moment she didn't remember that Angel was gone, that she would not be coming back, and then the pain hit her like a physical blow.

For the first time in her eleven years, Mandy is alone. Through a series of miscommunications, her entire family has left her by herself in their big house on Lake Michigan. But it's the absence of her twin sister, Angel, that she feels the most. One year ago Angel died, and Mandy's life has been at a standstill ever since. While the rest of her family has moved on, Mandy clings to the pain of her loss.

At first Mandy is almost relieved to have the time to herself. But quickly the loneliness consumes her -- until she stumbles upon two boys, one her age, the other not yet two, who are also on their own. Running away from men who wish to do them harm, the boys turn to Mandy for help. But what can she do for these boys when she can barely take care of herself? If only Angel were here, she would know what to do.

In her final book, Willo Davis Roberts proves once again why she is considered one of the greatest mystery writers for young readers. The One Left Behind is a haunting tale of loss, love, and -- ultimately -- hope.

Genres: Young Adult, Mystery, Realistic Fiction, Middle Grade, Fiction, Contemporary, Suspense

144 pages, Paperback

First published March 21, 2006

About the author

Willo Davis Roberts was an American writer chiefly known for her mystery novels for children and young adults. She won Edgar Allan Poe awards in 1989, 1995, and 1997 for best juvenile and best young adult mysteries. Her books included The View from the Cherry Tree, Twisted Summer, Don't Hurt Laurie, Megan's Island, Baby-sitting is a Dangerous Job, Hostage, The Girl with Silver Eyes, The One Left Behind and Scared Stiff.

Reviews

[Jordan Federer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! I loved how Willo Davis Roberts wrote this book. I like how things happen in this book that you wouldn’t suspect. For instance when Mandy is home alone for the weekend and someone broke in their house. The next day when she walked her dog and they find this wrecked car and that was the boy’s car that broke into their house. I would have never guessed anything like that would happen in this book! I like how the author kept this story alive for the whole remainder of this book.
I really enjoyed the characters and I can relate to Mandy because when I am home alone I always here every little sound in the house. Now, Angel her twin sister, who died from eating a raw burger is the one who Mandy refers to the whole story and what she would do. I like that Willo Davis Roberts did that because that shows Mandy and Angel’s relationship. Alexander is the guy who is 14 and took his 2 year old brother and his dads car while his dad was in Japan and crashed it, he is also the boy who broke into Mandy’s house looking for food.
The Author had a really good style in voice. He always keeps the story filled with interesting ideas. I seriously think that this is the best book I have ever read! That is how much I liked this book. At first I didn’t think this book was going to be good, but once I read the first couple chapters I couldn’t put the book down!
I would strongly recommend this book to any ages. It is kind of like a mystery but it kind of isn’t because it keeps you on your toes the whole time, and that is why I like it. The reason why I say any ages is because it is a book where it isn’t really childish and it isn’t really hard to understand. I think that anyone who will read this book would love it because it isn’t some stupid fantasy book, it is a really life deal that could happen to anyone.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had jus finihed reading this book, i think that it was a realy goood book. at first i didn't really like it, but then it started getting better and i couldn't put it down.
Mandy ended up staying home with her dog Henry, while her parents and brothers went out of town to do their own things and Uncle Frank went to her aunts. She would of been home with her twin sister Angel, but she had passed away from eating a hamburger that has e. coli in it.
The first night Mandy was home alone she heard somthing. So she got out of bed and and went to go and check downstaris.
On the kitchen counter there had been a knife with the jar of penunt butter. She knew that her famiy knew to put things away.
She ends up running into these two boys, one her age and another one about to be two years old. Their running away from two guys, that pretty much want to take there dad's money. They end up asking Mandy for help, but all she thinks about is what would Angel do if she was there. Then she realizes that she has to start doing things on her own beacuse she's not Angel.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is Roberts last book, published after she died. I get the feeling there was supposed to be more to it, because it seems a little incomplete. However, I've only read a couple of her other books and one I don't really remember well.
The One Left Behind is the fairly straight-forward tale of a girl who is accidentally left alone in her house for a weekend by her large family. (Home Alone, much?) She encounters a kid and his little brother who are on the run from some bad men and helps them escape. Also, she had a twin sister who died and her uncle has schizophrenia. These last two are the elements that seem like they should have been developed more. Interestingly, the schizophrenic character is very realistic, as though the author has some first hand experience with a person living with that particular mental illness.
The story climaxes and ends rather abruptly and there is no real twist involved. Mandy is a very sympathetic character and is well developed, although almost too introspective. No one else gets much dynamism to their character and I think that's what makes the book feel kind of flat. If you're looking for a good book by this author, try The Girl with the Silver Eyes.

[Lyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eleven-year-old Mandy has spent a lonely summer without her twin sister who died a year ago. Now she is not only lonely, she is alone. Somehow every member of her large family has driven off in a different direction, each of them thinking that Mandy is with someone else.

With the family dog as company Mandy decides she'll just spend the weekend alone, rather than trying to track down her brothers or her parents who are enjoying a rare solitary weekend for their anniversary. Strange things begin to happen almost immediately. Food is stolen, footprints appear on the beach in front of an empty cottage and a TV is left on when there is no one else in the house. Mandy's state of mind intertwines with a suspenseful plot including the rescue of a toddler and his older brother. Mandy relies on memories of her braver sister to see her through her adventure and comes out of it believing that their bond will never be broken.

[мαяïα❤ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why did I pick this Book>?
uhmm well one because it was short book to read and I read the back of the book and I liked what I
read.(: Its taking place at Mandy house where she lives all by herself..she had a twin sister named
Angel but she died of food posin..So Mandy was all alone at home with
her only dog she had..The problem in this story is that Mandy one day she found
some kids of her age that were runing away from home because they were chasing them so
Mandy took them into her house and they were living with her..One day that she was in her room she
head someone feeding her dog and the tv was on..Mandy think it was her twin sister..
Mandy and Angel had a lot in comin Mandy sometimes thinks that she's acting like her sister.
I think this book was ok..not to good..but its ok I guess.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The One Left Behind" is one of my favorite short reads! (Willo Davis Roberts, The One Left Behind, 2006, 139 pages, Fiction, Three-time Edgar award winner). I love how the author used details to explain what was happening and you could picture all the events in your head.
The book is about a twelve-year-old girl, Mandy who tries to get through life without her dead twin sister. She has a problem when someone breaks into her house while the rest of her family is out of town. Then, Mandy finds a crashed car and gets herself involved in more trouble. What will happen next? I was emotional some of the times and at the edge of my seat at other times, eager to know what happens. I would definitely recommend this book to mystery and suspense lovers who enjoy a good short read. This is a book that you won't be able to put down!

[Sarah]

The One Left Behind is an intriguing story about a young girl. The author has thrown many twists in the girl’s path, as well as a few surprises about some characters. The style of writing has a unique distinction from other writers. The characters have distinct personalities, and are well established into the plot. It also provides an insight into the grief felt from the loss of a sibling.

[Joan Radtke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plot:
The One Left Behind is a fiction novel written by Willo Davis Roberts. Mandy is an 11 year old girl who is all alone. After her twin sister Angel died she was lost. Submerged in her own thoughts, she didn’t know how to move on. Her family had left the house for their own plans and Mandy did not want to join. Then someone else came into her life. Two boys, one only a year or two difference and the other still an infant, stumbled into her life. The adventures that her sister and her used to imagine and play were coming to life. Mandy has to help these boys stay away from two kidnappers until their parents come home. But Mandy has a lot to deal with already. Will she be able to support two more people when she can barely hold herself up? In the end, Mandy learns that her sister is never truly gone. She was beside her through the whole process.

Characterization:
Mandy: Mandy is an 11 year old girl who has to deal with the death of her outgoing, twin sister Angel. During the time that Angel has died, Mandy has learned to grow. She started out as a very shy and quiet person trying to isolate herself from the world, but towards the end when she has to help two boys in need, she is exploring old houses, running away from kidnappers and protecting their lives. In the end of the story, Mandy comes to realize that her sister Angel is always with her and that she can independently live to be her true self again.

Zander and Dusty: Zander is the older of the two runaway boys, and Dusty is Zanders younger brother. The two have survived more than they probably thought they ever could of. Their babysitter and their babysitter’s brother were trying to set up a plan of kidnapping them and holding them for ransom money. Zander and Dusty made it out safely with the help of Mandy. Zander’s role of a bigger brother was notched up a level because of his protectiveness and courage.

Rating:
I rate this book a 4 out of 5 stars. I don’t give it a higher rating because there was no complexity to the writing style or the plot. It was an easy read and that I enjoyed.

Recommendations:
I would recommend this book to any age of reader. I think boys and girls would like to read this book. There isn’t a high amount of action and there isn’t any love in the book. It is very basic.

[Kaylin K-T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grade/interest level: MS
Reading level: 850L
Genre:Fiction
Main Characters: Mandy
Setting: Lake Michigan
POV: 3rd

Mandy awakes in darkness and hopes to see her twin sister, Angel, but Angel is gone. She has been gone for about a year now. Mandy's relieved to be alone, but then suddenly, she misses Angel. Everyone in her family treats her differently, because they're all guys and at school, her classmates are treating her differently, because she didn't need them, since she had Angel.

Then, one summer, her parents and brothers are all about doing something. Mandy decides that she doesn't want to go with any of them, because what they're doing is boring. Mandy stays home with her dog, Harry. Then one day, she hears some sounds in the kitchen, there's peanut butter and bread that's missing, and the TV is turned on...which means someone was in her house.

Then, one afternoon, Mandy decides to take a walk in the woods. She finds a crashed car, that's abandoned. In the car, is the peanut butter and bread from her house. Later, Mandy discovers that the car belonged to some boys, the ones that were in her house. Then, she discovers that they're being chased by these guys who want to kill the oldest one, and sell the others for money. Mandy decides to help them and keep the boys safe, but the guys keep finding them. Will Mandy be able to keep the boys safe...or will the guys find them?

[Elena · Rating 5 out of 5]

My book is called:The One Left Behind.The author is Willo Davis Roberts.Its genre is mystery nonfiction.I choose this book because I havent read a mystery book.I didnt like the book,I loved it! :)I would totally recomend the book!What I learned 2 things in this book:that bad things happen,but you should make yourself sick because of that and that you have to be brave!The purpose for me was that to show young readers like that you should not be scared.This is a short summary of the book from chapter 1-5: :)tis book is about a girl whos twin sister died a year ago.all her family has moved on,but she hasnt.Her mom and dad are in a vacation and all her brothers and her uncle Frank are away too.She is left alone with 120 lbs. dog,herry she fells so sad and abandoned without her twin sister!On the middle of the first night alone she hears a noise..she goes down stairs and sees thinks she didnt left them like..and she sees a knife with penut butter on the kitchen!!..she thought it might be one of her brothers came.she checked all the rooms and none was there!..then she remembered her uncle Frank lives her her,she got more confident..but she didnt went to check:S
I LOVE THIS BOOK!!:):):):)

[James Crawford · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mandy is eleven years old and she has a really big family. She also once had a twin sister, but the sister died of food poisoning.

Mandy's parents, all her brothers and one brother's wife have left for a variety of different activities. Each one of them thought that one of the others was going to be taking Mandy along with them, but through miscommunication Mandy gets left behind at the house, alone except for the presence of a huge but rather cowardly dog.

It's Mandy's chance to show she can be grown-up, but things take a dark turn when she finds out her house has been entered and someone has been taking things. She finds that she's now involved with a young kidnapper and his even younger brother and men who will stop at nothing to get their hands on the two boys.

With her life and the life of the older brother in danger the only thing between her and death is her cowardly, ever-hungry dog.

This is basically a mystery-type book. It's ok but it's a little contrived, what with her having that large of a family and everyone just happens to get confused about who is taking care of her. It also might be a little on the scary side for young readers, at least for very sensitive ones. It's worth reading, but not something that I would put in a “must-read” list.

[Ashley Diller]

I read the book called The One Left Behind by Willo Davis Roberts. The book is about a eleven year old girl named Mandy who spent a lonely summer without her twin sister who did a year ago. Mandy is not just lonely she is also alone. Somehow her large family has driven off in different direction. When her family is out of town someone breaks into her house.

My opinion on the book is that it was good and it was bad. But my favorite parts where in the middle of the book because it got interesting when Mandy looked at the lighthouse and walked on the beach. Also the boring parts were in the beginning of the book and last of all the parts I kind of liked was at the end because I did not really like how the book ended because it left you with a lot of questions and how and why he made this book.

I would recommend this book to people who like mysterious books because of when the person broke into the house you really want to know who it is. Also this is the last book of Willo Davis Roberts because he died.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book because I liked the back and I got it really cheap at a store. On the back it says how Mandy is trying to cope with the loss of her twin sister while she is home alone. She is scared of her own house without her sister(Angel). I wasn't expecting this to be a mystery (this is my first Willo Davis Roberts's book). Instead I was more expecting this to be a story on how Mandy came to better cope with the loss of her sister while she was by herself. However, strange things start to happen to Mandy while she is home alone- making this story more a mystery adventure on finding out who is disturbing Mandy's home. It was a pretty good read. I rated it 3 out of 5 stars because although I liked it at times it seemed to drag on, Mandy wasn't a very interesting character(I would have rather had Angel be the main character), and the ending seemed abrupt leaving me still with some questions unanswered. I recommend it for a quick read on a mystery story during a rainy day.

[Abigail Spracklen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't remember a single thing about this book, but i found it in one of my reading logs from middle school. I suppose I probably liked it if i finished it so I'll give it three stars. Maybe one day ill re-read it, but i honestly doubt it.

[Debb · Rating 2 out of 5]

Now, I know this is youth fiction, but I felt there were gaps and many loose ends in this book. It didn't feel like a complete story; more like a short story. The premise was interesting with some initial character development and was an easy read.

[Beyond Words · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is just such a suspenseful piece of work that I read until 2 am. It was so frightening but great at the same time, I loved it. There was a great writing style by the author and it had such an amazing story that was told.

[Christian Singer · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first I wasn't sure what to think of this story, but it is a cute story worth reading.

Sometimes we're braver and more competent than we realize.

[Sherry Guice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book because it was a short mystery by a writer that I respect and like. It has a guided reading level of V. It is a good story, but, in the words of one of my students, "Finally...on page 75, we get some action."

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was good at the start but slowly deteriorated towards the end. I thought that they were kind of talking in circles which made each conversation too long. I think those conversations were put in to lengthen the book.

[Douglas Larson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This, the last book written by Willo Davis Roberts, was published posthumously. It, like many of her works, has a nice sense of suspense and danger for the protagonist and it ends with a nice conclusion. Mandy, the protagonist, has lost her twin sister to food poisoning a year prior and is coping with that loss. Being accidentally left behind when her family leaves for the weekend, Mandy copes, not only with the loss of her sister but with new events that have transpired while she is home alone.

I would have taken the story a bit further than it went, perhaps given more detail about the antagonists for example. I think it's possible Roberts did not finish this story before her death and the publisher, or perhaps Roberts' family or estate, chose an author to finish it. I don't know if that's the case, though I have run across scenarios like that before. But in this case, there wasn't any information indicating that on the copyright page. It is possible Roberts did finish the work, but while the ending brings the story to a conclusion, it still feels a bit incomplete. I have read maybe 12 of Roberts' books and this complete but not quite complete feeling I had at the end of this book is rather uncharacteristic for her. Hence my hunch that it was finished after her death.

It's worth reading for fans of Willo Davis Roberts but all in all, not the best of her work.

[Kirsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

Through a series of miscommunications among her large family, eleven-year-old Mandy has been left alone for the weekend at her family's home on the shore of Lake Michigan. It soon becomes evident that she is not as alone as she first thought, however -- someone is lurking in the woods and along the shore near her house, someone who doesn't want to be found.

Roberts wrote many thrillers for young audiences, and this was her last. I haven't read her other books, so I don't know how it compares, but for me the actual thriller/mystery aspect of the book was its weakest element. Where Roberts really shines is in describing the beauty and loneliness of the northern Michigan location, and in describing the feelings of her protagonist. The plot is pretty generic and kind of unbelievable, but I still enjoyed the novel due to Roberts's descriptive powers.

[Alexa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mandy is an eleven year old girl who is left behind in her huge house on the shore of Lake Michigan. Her parents have forgotten about her and to add to that mess, her twin sister, Angel, is dead. Mandy hasn't been able to get over the death of Angel which was when she was ten. She is very lonely until she comes across two boys who are on their own just like her. The boys are running away from men who want to hurt them so they turn to Mandy for help. Mandy doesn't know what to do because she is still upset about the death of her sister. Mandy decides to take the boys in and goes on a journey to save them from the men and save herself from losing too much hope.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick read but it had a great message. I would recommend this to girls from 6th grade to 8th grade who enjoy mysteries and dramas.

[Laney J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book's name was The One left Behind. The author ia Willo Davis Roberts. The genre was realistic fiction. The lenghth was 144 pages.


Mandy's twin sister died of food poisoning. She felt that she couldn't live without her. Mandy and he twin had done everything together. Now, she's alone at home while the rest of her family is on vacation. She finds 2 boys, who are being chased by 2 men, including one who is the brother of the 2 boys babysitter. Mandy helps these boys hide from the men.

I thought this book was okay. It wasn't as great as I thought it would be. In my opinion, i didn't think that there was enough action. I thought that Mandy was a dramatic, and nice character. It's nice that she helped the boys, in their time of need. Overall, It thought this book was okay.

[Emcwriter12 caltiere · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just got a book order and this book was in it. it sounds really good. ps im in 5th grade. im 10. i did not get held back.... okay so i wrote the thing before this before but im leaving it there cause im to lazy to erase it. I jsut got it today in school and i really want to start reading it. theirs this kid darnill and when i got it hes like (Quote) " you read that kind of stuff?"
i replied, " do you even know what it's about?"
he says, " yeah its about someone who gets left behind."
duh is he stupid or something? Oh yeah thats right he is! hahhahahahahahahahahahhahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhaaahahahahahahhahahahahahahhahahahahhahahahhahahahahhahahahahhahahah



As im reading this book i will write my review see you then readers!

[Julie Pfeiffer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would say this book is definitely for the younger reader. The main character, Mandy, is a twin. Her twin sister, Angel, died from food poisoning and Mandy doesn't know how to act without her. At the beginning of the story all the references to Angel were rather vague. Mandy then talked about her schizophrenic uncle that lived with them. I was secretly hoping that I would eventually find out that Mandy was schizophrenic and Angel was a figment of her imagination. Not so! Mandy gets left alone for the weekend and finds a young boy hiding away in a deserted house nearby. This boy has kidnapped his little brother to keep his nanny's brother from kidnapping. The storyline stayed rather simple and came to a conclusion with the police coming and capturing the bad guy.

[Monique · Rating 3 out of 5]

i chose this book because it sounded intersting i geuss. it was realalistic fiction. i think they said they lived in detroit but they go from mandys house to the beach the woods a motel. mandy is this girl that had a twin but she died from eating a undercooked hamburger. her parents go to some place for there aniversery and one of her brothers goes camping and the other goes somewhere. and she stays by herself at her house. the problem is, that somone broke into her house and made the dog (herry) a peanut butter sandwhich. she goes on a walk with him and they find a car. turns out this kid (zander) kidnaps his own brother and these two kidnappers are after him. at the end they do get arested. the book was ok. i think the book could probly be longer.

[Cheyanna Sundquist]

For the first time Mandy is alone. She's left alone in a big house aside from Lake Michigan. It's been a year since Angle passed and she is missed dearly. With losing a twin she always misses her and feels her, but her whole family have moved on. Mandy is happy to be alone until she fines boys.. One is her age and the other is not yet two. They are running from people that hurt them. They are also alone. She doesn't know what to say. She always says "if only Angle was here she would know what to do".

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

My reaction to the ending of this book was, "that's it?!" 80% of the book was a lead up to meeting Zander and Dusty, yet we already knew before starting that Mandy would meet them. There was no suspense during the action. And there was no lesson. Mandy needed to deal with loss, yet she only began to make some progress with accepting she can't lean on her twin anymore. I didn't get the point of this story at all.

[Readersaurus · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an odd little book. Though it has a recent publication date, the language seems vaguely early 70s. The characters were off and the storyline was off. Somehow, Mandy finds herself and her strength after the death of her twin sister via fending off kidnappers when her whole family forgets about her over a weekend.

[Kaycee Laffey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the parts when Mandy was trying to figure out who was breaking into her house at night and stealing food. I did not like the part when the boy from the truck told his story and it all seemed to rush and go very fast. If the author took more time to tell the story and describe the things that happened better I might have liked it more.