Missing!: Mysterious Cases of People Gone Missing Through the Centuries

by Brenda Z. Guiberson

In this photo-illustrated middle-grade nonfiction book, Brenda Guiberson explores the stories of six individuals who have disappeared mysteriously throughout history.

Jimmy Hoffa, Barbara Follett, Amelia Earhart, D. B. Cooper, two young royal princes―they all disappeared. Throughout history, individuals have gone missing without a trace; some of these disappearances haunt us.

In this companion to Natural and Man-Made Catastrophes through the Centuries , Brenda Guiberson explores the stories of seven individuals who have disappeared mysteriously. Thoroughly researched and illustrated with photographs and line drawings, Missing!: Mysterious Cases of People Gone Missing Through the Centuries is exciting middle-grade nonfiction that also discusses the kind and qualities of evidence needed to lay these mysteries to rest.

Godwin Books

Genres: Nonfiction, Middle Grade, Biography, History, Childrens

240 pages, Hardcover

First published February 12, 2019

About the author

Brenda Z. Guiberson has written many books for children, including Cactus Hotel, Spoonbill Swamp, Moon Bear and Disasters. As a child, Brenda never thought she wanted to be a writer—her dreams tended more toward jungle explorer. She graduated from the University of Washington with degrees in English and Fine Art. She started thinking about writing for children when her son went to elementary school, and she volunteered in his class and in the school library. After taking exciting trips that involved a fifty-foot cactus, hungry alligators and sunset-colored spoonbills, she wanted to create books for children that would be like a field trip. Her books are full of well-researched detail, and Brenda sees this research as an adventure—one that allows her to be a jungle explorer at last. She lives in Seattle, Washington.

Reviews

[Julie Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned about Jimmy Hoffa, D.B. Cooper, Follett (which was a snooze fest), all about the Freemasons, and way more context about the case of the missing princes from the Tower of London. We didn’t learn anything new about Amelia Earhart. It’s definitely appropriate for I would say seventh, eighth, and ninth graders who enjoy history. I don’t know that I’d recommend the whole book. I’d recommend the chapter on Cooper, the Freemasons, and only tower of London chapter if you are reading book 2 in Haddix’s Missing series.

[Lisa Mcbroom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always been fascinated by missing cases ever since I read a biography of Amelia Earhart as a child. Guiberson writes about people both known and unknown.

[Naomi Bates · Rating 4 out of 5]

Six short stories of famous missing cases, some of which I'd never heard of! This is a great narrative non-fiction for middle school. It includes: DB Cooper, Jimmy Hoffa, Amelia Earhart, Barbara Follett, William Morgan and the two princes in the Tower of London.

[Sobia A Khan · Rating 2 out of 5]

not much actual background story into the actual missing people. the list was intriguing, but the overall content was lacking.

[Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found this a little disappointing sadly. Interesting spread of missing persons however : from union leader Jimmy Hoffa to 15th century English princes. Hoffa largely set the tone ... the author rightfully applauds what he did for the Teamsters but tends to conveniently overlook his involvement with organised crime. The well known DB Cooper and Amelia Earhart sections add little to the mix, while the little known Barbara Follett must have been a passion project of sorts. I had not heard of her prior to reading the book and, while there is considerable background, little is said or followed up regarding the actual disappearance. Still, the chapter on William Morgan is arguably the highlight of the book ... didn't have a clue about him beforehand but Guiberson does give a terrific overview of Freemasons.

[Jessie Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This felt like biographies of famous missing people, rather than a book that focuses on the circumstances of their disappearances. I learned a lot, and I’m glad I read it.... but I was hoping for more mystery and intrigue.

Check out a full review on my blog!

https://dramalibrarian.blogspot.com/2...

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Long before the Internet and lightning-fast means of communication, there were newspapers and news that spread through word of mouth. In this middle grade title, Brenda Z. Guiberson explores six cases of missing individuals from as far back as 1483 and as recently as the 1970s. First, she provides some background on each of the missing persons, covering their formative years or as much is known about them in the case of D. B. Cooper and then describes how each one seemed to simply vanish. In the case of each of these men and women--Jimmy Hoffa, D. B. Cooper, Barbara Follett, Amelia Earhart, William Morgan, and the Two Princes in the Tower of London--the mystery of their whereabouts has never been solved, at least to the current date. Who knows what the future will hold. I appreciated that the author shared stories of famous missing individuals such as Hoffa and Earhart, but I also enjoyed reading about Follett and Morgan, about whom I knew nothing. The stories are told in an almost breathless fashion, and the author clearly found these cases just as fascinating as she hopes her readers will. There are sources and an index in the back of the book for readers who want to learn even more. While the book won't appeal to everyone, it does have the potential to keep anyone interested in true crime and mystery stories absolutely riveted while also prompting discussion as to what might have happened to these seven individuals with nothing in common except their absence.

[Amy Rosen · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was really hopeful for this book and maybe I was just too much out of the target age that I didn't find a full appreciation. I think it was a good assortment of stories, some well-known and others more unique. Where the stories fell flat for me was that the chapters were quite long with much exposition and the last two pages talked about the actual parts where the people went missing. I think there was so much potential and it touched the mark, but didn't completely hit it on the nose.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a really good book. Sometimes I feel like it goes all too much more into the history behind the person instead of the history of the missing case. However I really loved all the pictures and I feel like I learned a lot more about each case. Totally read this book if you were into true crime or BuzzFeed unsolved

[Alisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of the stories were really well done and some seemed to have way too much extra info that was not needed or wanted that made that story drag on forever. Overall a good read for people that enjoy true life mysteries.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the background notes as well as the specifics of the disappearances.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF last 2 cases. No new information, nothing added beyond what already exists in other books. Did not like the writing style.

[Pyper]

ehhh it wasn't that great in my opinion if you like mystery nonfiction than this is definitely the book for you

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting compilation of cases, the line drawings are now always a great additions, wish she had picked more rare cases, the text was kind of plodding but overall interesting.

[Celeste · Rating 2 out of 5]

A couple of the stories were well done-D.B. Copper and Amelia Earhart, but the others weren’t very well organized.

[Cole Rothman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. Contains a lot of mysteries of people you may or may not know. Very interesting.

[Gisella Perez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some random not important information but other than that it was a great book.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting narrative nonfiction that will appeal to middle grade students. Some of the cases include too much non relevant information and others not enough. Includes sketches and photos, a bibliography, and an index, but no author notes.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly only read the introduction and chapters on DB Cooper and Amelia Earhart, but they were great. Suitable for kids, but fun for adults!