How does Carrie's move to her grandmother's house impact her grief journey?

This is a discussion prompt for Missing Girls by Lois Metzger. Use it to spark conversation with your child after reading.

What role does Carrie's new friendship play in her healing process?

This is a discussion prompt for Missing Girls by Lois Metzger. Use it to spark conversation with your child after reading.

How do different characters in the book cope with loss and change?

This is a discussion prompt for Missing Girls by Lois Metzger. Use it to spark conversation with your child after reading.

What does it mean to 'come to terms' with a difficult event, and how does Carrie achieve this?

This is a discussion prompt for Missing Girls by Lois Metzger. Use it to spark conversation with your child after reading.

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Missing Girls

Name: Missing Girls
ISBN: 9780141310862

by Lois Metzger

While living with her grandmother, eighth-grader Carrie navigates the complexities of a new friendship and finally begins to process the loss of her mother.

About This Book

During eighth grade, Carrie moves in with her grandmother, becomes friends with an withdrawn classmate, and comes to terms with her mother's death.

Concepts

Sadness & Grief Love & Family Friendship & Loyalty Resilience & Perseverance Self-Confidence & Identity Loneliness & Belonging Empathy & Kindness Death of a Loved One Moving Making Friends Growing Up Friendship & Social Family & Siblings School Life

Heads up, parents

Character Death

mental_health_themes

Wonderlit Review

Lois Metzger's 'Missing Girls' offers a sensitive and introspective look into the life of Carrie, an eighth-grader grappling with immense loss and change. The narrative centers on Carrie's journey after her mother's death, which prompts her move to live with her grandmother. This transition is not just geographical but deeply emotional, as Carrie navigates a new school, a new home, and the overwhelming weight of her grief. The book thoughtfully explores the development of a new friendship with a withdrawn classmate, highlighting the power of connection and shared understanding in times of sorrow. The novel handles the sensitive topic of death and grief with a gentle yet honest approach. It doesn't shy away from the pain and confusion that accompany such a loss, but it also emphasizes the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of supportive relationships. The emotional arc begins with a palpable sense of sadness and displacement, gradually moving towards a more hopeful and accepting outlook as Carrie learns to integrate her loss into her life and find new sources of comfort and joy. This book is specifically for middle schoolers and young adults who may be experiencing grief, the challenges of moving, or the complexities of forming new friendships. A parent might reach for this book when their child is dealing with the death of a loved one, a significant family change, or struggling with feelings of isolation. Parents should be prepared to discuss themes of loss, sadness, and the process of healing. Younger readers (12-14) might connect strongly with Carrie's immediate emotional experience, while older readers (15-18) may appreciate the nuanced portrayal of grief and the subtle development of relationships. What sets 'Missing Girls' apart is its quiet authenticity, focusing on the internal landscape of a grieving teenager without relying on dramatic plot twists, offering a realistic and relatable path through sorrow.