Panic by Sharon M. Draper
Review by Lauren
Source: copy from library; all opinions are my own
Official Summary: Diamond knows not to get into a car with a stranger.
But what if
the stranger is well-dressed and handsome? On his way to meet his wife
and daughter? And casting a movie that very night—a movie in need of a
star dancer? What then?
Then Diamond might make the wrong decision.
It’s
a nightmare come true: Diamond Landers has been kidnapped. She was at
the mall with a friend, alone for only a few brief minutes—and now she’s
being held captive, forced to endure horrors beyond what she ever could
have dreamed, while her family and friends experience their own
torments and wait desperately for any bit of news.
Review: When I was in middle school, I read and loved a couple of Sharon M. Draper’s novels, so it’s a bit sad that I never gave her more recent work a chance. However, I was told to pick any book by Draper to read for my young adult class, so I chose Panic.
This book is told in the third-person point of view of four teenagers, one of which is Diamond, who goes missing from the mall. The other narrators are Justin, Layla, and Mercedes. All of these teens are in a dance academy together and have their own problems and worries. Justin is often made fun of for being a guy dancer. Layla is in an abusive relationship, but she is desperate to see the good in her boyfriend. Mercedes was at the mall when Diamond went missing, and she blames herself for leaving her, even if it was only for minutes. All of these teens love to dance, and they get lost in the music. Panic shows that this is their escape and way to be free. This even includes Diamond, who imagines herself dancing as a way of leaving her current situation.
Draper does a great job with these narrations, bringing the stories together with the overarching theme of Diamond’s disappearance and how that affects everyone. Panic is a relatively short book, but I feel like it gives enough depth and emotion to the storyline. One of the things that I really enjoyed was that the beginning of each chapter starts with a quote from Peter Pan. This is a ballet the dance company is going to put on over the summer, so it ties in there, but the use of Peter Pan also shows the loss of innocence within the storyline of Panic.
Glad the different narrations were handles well, that doesn't always happen with multiple POVs.
It nice to see it was well done like that. I didn't know about this one so thanks for the discovery, it sounds intriguing.
I don't think I have read anything by this author. THis sounds like a gem. I am going to go look it up.
I've never read anything by this author but you have me curious about this one. I'm not the biggest fan of 3rd person, but it CAN be done well and it sounds like she does a great job and making the POVs distinctive. I def need to add this one to my TBR list! 🙂
I'd like to read this. I've read more of her popular works, her older books, since I come across them as a teacher. I want to read her newer books.
Haven't read any of hers, but NEED to read this, I mean, how could I have not known about this book? Definitely sounds like my type of read.
I've never heard of Sharon Draper. That sounds like a great book.
This sounds really good! I haven't read any of her books but this definitely sounds up my alley!
I haven't read anything by Sharon M. Draper, but I think I need to 🙂
I started reading this one a while ago but couldn't get into it… maybe it was the narration, not sure. But I'm glad it worked for you 🙂
Marianne @ Boricuan Bookworms.
I am not familiar with this author, but it looks really good and I will share with my niece.