Matson, Morgan. Since You’ve Been Gone. New York: Simon and Schuster, 2014.

This one snuck up on me; honestly, at first this book just irritated me. I couldn’t buy the premise of a teenage girl - Emily whose summer is completely ruined by the disappearance of her friend Sloane, a disappearing act that was certainly not unprecedented. I was frustrated that Emily passionately engaged in completing the list of tasks sent to her by Sloane. I wanted her to show some gumption, some independent spirit. But slowly as she begins to work her way through the list from picking an apple at night to skinny dipping, I was drawn in. I began to root for her to complete it all. I was engaged by Emily’s new friendships and her developing spirit as her summer became filled with adventure and experiences that shaped her coming of age.

Ultimately, the adult in me didn’t necessarily believe in the wisdom of Sloane and her uncanny ability to predict just exactly the kinds of experiences that would lead to success for her friend Emily. Without any spoilers, I may have found the end just a bit too convenient. Having said all of that, I think my young readers are really going to love her story. Unburdened by my cynicism, they will enjoy her quest and seeing her come out of her shell as she lands a new job, makes some new friends, and maybe even falls in love.

In the end, I will be able to book talk it in a variety of ways. It reminds a bit of 13 Little Blue Envelopes in the sense that it is a quest. The book Goodbye Rebel Blue also comes to mind - the story of Rebecca Blue completing a bucket list for Kennedy Green, getting to know herself much better along the way. Also, many of my students have already enjoyed Matson’s Last Chance Summer, they will be eager to read another.