Abduction!

by Peg Kehret

Matt is missing. Bonnie's brother left his classroom to use thebathroom —and disappeared. A police dog traces his scent to the curb, where he apparently got into a vehicle. But why would Matt go anywhere with a stranger? Overwhelmed with fear, Bonnie discovers that her dog is gone, too. Was Pookie used as a lure for Matt? Bonnie makes one big mistake in her attempt to find her brother. In a chilling climax on a Washington State ferry, Bonnie and Matt must outsmart their abductor or pay with their lives.

Genres: Mystery, Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Middle Grade, Fiction, Thriller, Childrens

215 pages, Paperback

First published November 18, 2004

About the author

Peg Kehret writes middle grade fiction and nonfiction. She's won dozens of state children's choice awards, where kids vote for their favorite book.

When she was twelve, Peg was paralyzed with polio. Most of her protagonists are the age she was then.

A volunteer with animal rescue groups, three of Peg's books are co-authored by Pete the Cat."

Reviews

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was hooked the minute I started this book. I wanted to reach through the pages and shake all of these characters because they weren't doing what I wanted them to do lol. I had to finish it because I had to know what happened. This is definitely a good, quick read for anyone who likes mystery-type books.

[Allyssa Sepulveda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the only book that I ever stayed up all night to finish. It was so suspenseful I had to know what happened next. Loved it!

[83.CONFUSED · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abduction is a book written by Peg Kehret. It's about a six year old boy who was abducted by his father who was never in his life. The boy's name was Matt. Matt was on his way to the bathroom five minutes before school was over. His father, who Matt has never met, was near the bathroom dressed as a worker for UPS. His father's name was Denny Thurman. Denny Thurman had stolen Matt and his family's dog and used the dog to trick Matt into his car. After denny got the job done, he left the dog, Pookie, tied to a pole at a local park. Matt was usually waiting for his older sister, Bonnie, by their bus, but that day he wasnt there, After a couple of minutes, the school called the police. After about two weeks of Matt's family an police searching, Bonnie remembered she and her friends had tickets to a Mariners' game. While Bonnie was waiting for her friend to finish getting snacks. Bonnie thought that she saw Matt. She also thought that she was going crazy. She went closer and the seat was emtpy. After she was on her way back to her seat, Matt and his father were leaving the game. Matt had truned around and saw Bonnie. She ran to him. Denny forced her to go with them with a gun. After a while, the two got home safely, and so did Pookie.

One of the reasons I liked this book was because of its ending. I think that it had a different ending than other books and stories that have to do with abduction: someone finding the child and returning he or she home. The also may teach children the different ways of how and abductor might try to abduct and also how they think.

[Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a kid ( and his dog, Pookie) was abudcted from his family, he learns more and more about his dad's side of the family. The dog ws released at a local park where found by an elderly couple. The kid gets a new look and identity so his dad's family likes his dad, Denny Thurman. His mom and siter let the police help , who put out a "amber" alert. Once the elder couple watches the news for the first time in a while, they learn about the dog. They return him and the kid Mat goes to a baseball game,on he always wanted to go to, just not that way. At the same time, his sister goes to the same game with binoculurs. She was using them and noticed a kid messing with his earlobe, the same way Mat does. When she snuck away from her friends, the boy was gone. On he way back, found the kid nd chased after him. Once she finally caught up with him, she learned he was Mat. Then, threatened by a gun, they went through a series of things finally escaping.But of coarse, Denny caught back up with them. Getting on a ferry, the sister was aimed at with gun, but with a heroic "zinger" they all were saved.

[Katt Hansen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm definitely a little confused as to the audience of this book. Told in a very easy style, it feels like it could have been written for a reader in the 8-10 range, but the content is almost adult in areas - how can we expect a child to understand about the complex feelings of a man who has stolen his child due to severe untreated mental illness?

I found this book disturbing, though engaging. I definitely was interested in reading. But Bonnie thinks like an adult, and acts like one, her mother is never even there (very flat and unreal) and we never get to the emotional impact of any of this on anyone.

On the other hand, if you used this as a hi-lo book with an adult who's learning to read, or with an older teen perhaps, the subject matter and story will engage, and the pacing of the story and short chapters would make this an ideal book to use in that way.

So I wind up with mixed feelings. For the intended audience, I feel like this is a 'no' - I really didn't like it all that much. For usages with literacy though, it's a 'yes' - hence two stars.

[Dian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recommend Abduction! because it was very suspenseful and a short read that could be enjoyed anytime. Peg Kehret displays a short story of a family where the youngest child, Matt, and their family dog, Pookie, all of a sudden goes missing. Matt's frantic sister, Bonnie, does everything in order to find him until she spots Matt with the kidnapper, which turns out to be Matt's dad, at a baseball game. Abduction! kept me focused until the very end where I was relieved by the happy ending. The ending wasn't very satisfying because it had an obvious ending but the overall plot was intriguing. It didn't use difficult vocabularies and had a very suspenseful but quite simple storyline. I recommend this book to you if you need a quick read with a suspenseful and touching story.

[Mrs. Cumberton · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite part of this book was the ending… The book was really easy to follow and helped you to care about the characters… If you like shows like criminal minds you’ll like this book

[♡ Dajana ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

☆ 5/5

[Kathy Fiedler · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great short story. Fast paced!

[Canyon Wagner]

Abduction
This book is about a 6 year old boy, named Matt who was in kindergarten. Who was abducted by his father from school one afternoon. Matt’s father wasn't in his life and had planned out a way to take him from school, with the hopes of not getting caught by anyone that knew the boy. Matt had left class early because he needed to use the restroom and that’s when his father made his move. His father's name was Denny. Denny had dressed like a UPS worker and in order to get a visitor pass said he was making a delivery to the library, only that's when he ran into Matt on his way to the restroom. Denny has kidnapped the family dog pookie and used him to get Matt to go calmly to his car by saying that the dog was hurt at that they needed to get him to the vet quickly. Denny’s plan was so far working. He got matt to the car and off they went without anyone so far noticing. It wasn't until Matt’s sister got to the bus where they met everyday and he wasn't there in line waiting for her. She got really concerned and that's when the search started and the cops were called to file a report and to let the news out to the public with a description so that they could help with the search. Matt was very brave during his ordeal and did everything his father would ask him to do and believed every word he said, even that his mom and sister were killed in a car accident. Denny took Matt to a baseball game because he knew how much Matt loved the sport, little did he know that was gonna be his weak moment and he would be caught by Bonnie, Matt’s sister had went to the same game with a friend. Bonnie had thought she might of seen matt, but when she got over to where she thought he might be sitting he was gone, the seat was empty, as she looked around Matt had spotted her and they ran to each other. Denny Matt’s father held a gun to Bonnie and forced her to go with them. Now the two of them were being held by Denny and they had to figure out how to get away. Denny tried pushing Bonnie off the side of the boat and that's when Matt hit him in the head with a baseball, that's how the two of them made their escape, and made it back home safety and so did pookie, who originally Denny left in a park.

The suspense in this book left me not wanting to put it down, i felt like the characters were relatable, that Matt even though he was scared tried to stay brave and do what he was told. Bonnie knew her brother was out there somewhere and she was gonna do everything she could do to find him, she was not gonna give up until he was found, I'm glad that the scenario turned out the way it did that the kids weren't hurt and Denny was caught and sent to jail. I think all kids should be taught not to talk to strangers, should not under any circumstances leave or go with someone that they don't know, missing children are reported everyday, and most of the time have been taken by the parent that they don't live with, under these circumstances it would be harder for the child even when they know right from wrong to not go with the other parent. In this situation Matt was taught right and did the right things by listening to his dad and doing what was asked of him. Bonnie was also brave and strong, her will to never give up was powerful. The story gives real scenarios to what could happen and i would recommend anyone looking for a suspense, thriller, or a real life true story scenario to definitely read this book. It definitely makes you think. This author has a few other stories i believe are along this same story line of what could be true life actual events, i plan to read the other three with the hope that i will learn a life lesson and not want to put the book down.

[Fahd Nazir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nobody picked this book. The title name seemed interesting so I decided to read it. The story is set in Seattle. Matt is in kindergarten and the story takes place during the school year. I can predict that is was spring time because the book mentioned going to a baseball game and baseball is usually towards the end of a school year. The main character, Matt is facing a external conflict. He has been kidnapped which is conflict but also has been told his sister and mother have been killed in a car accident by a sociopath father he has never met. The main character Matt did not go under a change. He still remained the six year old who was abducted. I think that three traits that describe him are brave, sensible, and athletic. Matt loved baseball and he used to come home and throw the ball at the garage. If any child was kidnapped you could imagine they would be scared. Matt obeyed all the instructions from his abductor and showed braveness. The reason I say Matt is sensible is because he knows when his abductor is mad and when he is happy. Denny, the abductor is a major gambler. When he losses money he shoots things and that is when Matt senses he shouldn't argue under any circumstances. "He does have a gun, he wears it across his chest" (Kehret 163). This quote proves that Matt was telling his sister not to argue with him because Denny does have a gun showing Matt knows what not to do at the wrong time. The theme dont talk to strangers. The first strategy I used was predict. When a suspicious UPS man started to talk to Matt that something was up. My first instinct was that this was either a kidnapping or shooting. During the story I visualized how a six year old would react, whether he would be scared, or whether he would call the police but Matt seemed to pretty calm. The last strategy I used was connection. I think my dad has been to Seattle so that was a connection since it is based in Seattle. I would definitely recommend this book because it is so suspenseful and fast paced. The other review I read also seem to agree that this is a good book and very suspenseful. There opinion and mine seem to almost to be the same about the book.

[Ali Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read more reviews at http://alisbooklife.wix.com/freeyourread


Matt always wondered about his dad. And one day, his dad took him from his school and told him he would never see his mom or sister again because they died in a car accident. Matt regretted what he wished for, but he was sure this was his new life... until he saw his sister at a Mariner's game.

Goodreads readers ranked this book a 4.20 and I'd recommend it if you're into:

suspenseful story lines
baseball story line
kidnapping/abduction
crime

This book was a page turner, but it was out of pure curiosity, not out of an intriguing story line or excellent writing.

Pros: the story line was intriguing, mysterious, and suspenseful; the charcter identities were well illustrated and easily identified, including secondary characters. The process of an abduction - from the policy investigation, to an amber alert, to the fading news stories seemed well researched, or if nothing else, well observed.

Cons: the writing was very basic, and so it felt too innocent, almost. Even for a small boy, I expected there to be a little bit more fear and anger illustrated, but it felt like the author was trying to make it easy for a small boy to read.
Which brings me to the identification of this book - it's marked as a children's book, which really just bothers me. I always reference the page of the book that shows the copyright and publishing information, which gives me an idea of when the book was written, a summary, and the identification of the book - usually in 3-5 categories. This was identified as a children's book, which was a little strange to me. It just kind of lingered over me throughout the book.

[Nick Fields · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abduction by Peg Kehret is a great book that I enjoyed reading. I first began reading this in fifth grade, I read about 25 pages and was forced to return the book to the school library because it was the end of the year. Five years later I decided the return to the book. When I returned to reading it was even better than the first time because I had a better comprehension of the book and what was going on. This book is in my top 10 ever read.

"Denny hung up, disappointed. He would have to wait a whole week to introduce Matt to Celia and Winston." -Chapter 9

Denny Thurman has a son named Matt. Before Matt was even born Denny left his mom Ms. Sholter. Denny had an issue with gambling and often moved from city to city because he didn't pay his gambling debts. In a culture where taking care of your children and having a family is correct Denny is far from it. Eventually the culture around Denny got to him and made him want to change. He has never seen his nephews and their parents bash him because of his lifestyle. His makes plans to meet with them and bring his son along with him. Denny knows that matts mom won't let that happen so Denny decides to kidnap his son. This is a example on how the culture of the outside world can influence others.

I recommend this book to anybody who likes to read stories that keeps them excited. Each chapter leaves you hanging and dying to read another. This book will have you loosing track of time. Also this suspense will keep you constantly locked in.

[Emichaud2018 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was about a little boy named Matt his sister Bonnie and his dad that Matt has never met named Denny. One day Matt is at school and got lured into his dads car. The dad took him home to Denny's house and Matt was really scared. There was a lot of people searching for him but his sister was working the hardest. Her mom told her to take a break and go to the Mariners game. When she went she found her brother but the dad threatened her with a gun so she had to go with them. After the game Denny takes them to visit his sister. On the boat their Denny is sick of Bonnie so he is trying to push her of the boat but Matt throws a baseball at him and Matt then ran for help. Matt and Bonnie were then home sweet home and Denny was in jail.
This book made me realize that to win you can never give up. The reason I thought this was because Bonnie never gave up looking for Matt or getting home safe to their home. This is important to me because it kind of taught me to never give up even if I think its the right choice you always need to try your hardest.
This was one of the best books I have ever read and I would definitely recommend it for classmates. It teaches a good lesson and it always keeps you wondering what is going to happen next. If I were you you I would read this book!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is young adult fiction, and was suggested to me by my son. His review was “the first few pages are slow and boring, but after that you can’t put it down.” It is about the abduction of a child and how people who are don’t want to “get involved” hinder his rescue. Unpredictable story and interesting characters. It is apparently a good choice for younger teens who aren’t 100% into reading, but who enjoy darker themes and a fast-paced story.

[Etienne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book for young readers round 10 years old. The writing is very easy to read so young reader won't have trouble reading it. The story will probably kept those readers on the edge of their seats. The rhythm is good and it's fast pace, as an adult it's predictable, really soon you see where it goes and how it will end, there is also some part that doesn't seem really realistic. Kids probably won't see it coming so easily because they've seen/read less. The characters are well done, a bit «clichés» but not too much. So, two ratings here, has an adult this book is a fast read and not necessary, for kids I think that could be a good thriller that also make them think/talk about being careful and the abduction theme. So for adults 2/5, for kids 3,5/5. Since it's a kids books, I will go closer to the kids rating, and give it an overall of 3/5.

[Daniella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matt is in kindergarten. He needed to use the bathroom but never knew anything bad would happen. All of a sudden he finds himself in a strangers car going to a unfamiliar place. Mat thinks the stranger is his dad that he never ever met before in his whole entire life. When the bell rings to get out of class , Bonnie, his sister goes to pick him up when she realizes he wasen't lost, but he was missing Through out the story Bonnie doesn't give up on her brother and does anything with her power to save him. Even if it puts her life in danger. I gave this book a five because i really liked it and it made me want to keep reading more and more. I recommend this book to people who like mystery, and horror.

[Colton V · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abduction is about a 6 year old boy who was abducted by his father who was never in his life. Matt was going to the bathroom right before school was ending. His father was dressed as a UPS worker. His dad abducted him by using the dog trick. Once Matt saw the dog, he went to pet it and the father then took him. When Matt didn't come back, the school called the police. Can Matt find a way to get saved? I liked this book because mystery's are my favorite kind of books and this was one of the best mystery's I've ever read. This book made my heart drop at points and made me happy at times. You will love this book if you like any mystery books. This book is similar to many mystery books but not any certain ones.

[Yasseen Al Mahdaoui · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very intense book, extremely interesting how it only takes five minutes for a kidnap to occur. However this is not a regular kidnap. Matt, a six year old boy is kidnapped by his own father, Denny Thurman after a divorce with his wife. An intelligent plan that has been thought of and visualized in Denny's hear several months before. Bonnie a teenage girl, Matt's sister is completely determined to get her brother back. Denny uses Matt's and Bonnie dog, to lure Matt in the car with him after lying to him that Pookie was hurt during Matt's bathroom break. When Bonnie realizes that her brother is missing from school, she becomes completely frightened, and is determined to get him back.

[Whitney Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abduction by Peg Kehret is one of the best books so far, that I've read .Kindergarten student ,Matt, is taking a quick trip to the bathroom, but never returned back. Who grabbed the kindergartener without being noticed and the family dog ,Pookie ? His sister, Bonnie ,try's to find Matt and Pookie, even if she is risking her own life .Will she save them and herself without getting in to trouble ,read this book to find out these questions.

[Sammie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abduction is a very good book i read it super fast because it was hard to put down. Its about a kid who gets abducted by his dad that he has never met before. The dad stole him and his dog and later found out his sister at the baseball game, and abducted her. They kept giving hints to a lot of different people.

[Samanthah · Rating 5 out of 5]

i liked this book because i love mysteries and i also love how it it hard to put down the book i got hooked on to this book the first page it is about a boy that goes missing at school and was taken by the mail man and his sister bonnie was so sad because it was her day to watch him i recommend this book to people who like mysteries and things,that make you want to read on.

[Marilyn Razo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is only like 216 pg. its short you will probly finish it fast but you won't want to put it down. You'll bee on the edge of the seat. This book is about a boy that is taken by his father. His half sister knows he is missing and is terrafied. Finally the father diciseds, to let her see him, she puts herself in danger to try to escape with his brother. she then is...

[Daniella Muniz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very good,but I won't rate it five stars.The plot was interesting,but I just didn't like it that much.The story was about a girl named Bonnie,who's brother was kidnapped.I won't tell anymore spoilers.It was highly suspenseful,but I don't really like bonnie.

[Colby · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good plot, action, believable story, setting, characters, it has it all! Read about the amazing, astounding, hair-raising, action packed, and overall awesome story about Matt and Bonnie as Bonnie solves a mystery of Matt's disappearance to another dreadful moment.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

kidnapping is not a good choice.

[Stephanie]

wo this book is so exciting

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abduction! is a fast-paced story. The writing felt a little bit choppy in the beginning, but gained a proper tone partway through. I was on pins and needles for the last half of the story!

[Jess Hemby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book- great high interest read-aloud. Abduction kept the kids hooked the entire time.

[Travis · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️

This is an older YA mystery thriller about an abducted child that was aimed at younger people to educate them on stranger danger. This made it a very easy read to fly through since I wasn’t pausing to look up words or ponder on literary displays. I typically prefer books aimed at adults but my brother said he remembered reading this as a kid and gave it to me to read. (am also using it in effort to get him started reading as well 🫢) I mean for a YA book this had really good suspense. You will be engaged from start to finish and there is not really a lot of filler making it a quick read. I would recommend to any YA or mystery reader. Fred and Ruth Faulkner were my favorite characters. 🙂

**********SPOILERS / QUOTES**********

But this Denny guy… he’s a real piece of work and I absolutely despise this fictional POS. The part where he gives Matt chocolate and tells him to feed some to the dog like that’s so dirty. Then he leaves the dog at a stop like what a real POS. Kid tells him he’s allergic to chocolate… “that’s an illusion eat it”. Kid breaks out in hives like he said he would. He demonstrates absolute incompetence and reminds me too much of both of my old sister in-laws. He kept internally comparing his son to his nephews/nieces as if all children are identical. He didn’t even claim the baby was his when it was born but wanted to abduct it later on for what to me seems like an ego thing. He wants to use his kidnapped son that he never wanted to begin with, to use to sympathy bribe his own family. He tried to lie and tell the poor kid his family died and that if it wasn’t for HIM, the kid would be dead too. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve hated a character more than this guy since I started reading again. Pretty good representation of police work and civilians lack of consideration too - for the police, there may have only been one time in one scenario that they ever considered that perhaps a disguise would be used to cover the appearance of the culprit and victim in public. It was just a very narrow minded tunnel vision approach that is seen in a lot of criminal cases and is often a reason behind a cases that goes cold and stays cold until a new detective years later injects a fresh perspective into the case. For civilians there were multiple instances that should’ve been obvious to an adult everyone had the same “I don’t have time for this” or “if I just pretend it’s not real and ignore it, it won’t be real” mindsets that litter the population.

——

”Denny had sworn he would do so even though he knew he didn't have any problem. He could quit gambling anytime he wanted to; he'd had a string of bad luck, that's all, and the only people he didn't get along with were the jerks of the world, who seemed to be everywhere. They had the problem, not him.”

“He fidgeted, watching the people, resenting the easy way they purchased hot dogs and drinks. Why should foolish fans in baseball caps be able to afford what he could not?” >>> just angry, bitter, narrow minded, unwilling to change, consumed by pride and ego. I’m sure we’ve all met someone like this.

When you grow up," she told Matt, "you'll be a good man. You won't be anything like Denny."
"How do you know?"
"Because you're a good kid now. How you act is way more important than who your parents are."