Vanish

In this addition to the Orca Currents line, written at a third-grade reading level, eighth-grader Simone and a few of her classmates get involved with their school’s Kinderbuddies program, which helps mentor kindergarten students. Simone hits it off with a girl named Lily, but it quickly becomes clear that Lily’s home life is not what it seems. Spafford-Fitz has constructed a light but tense mystery—readers may well guess where things are going before Simone does—and offers strong, realistic portrayals of both the eighth-grade and kindergarten students, especially Simone, who has trouble making friends her own age but is great with kids. Ages 10–14. (Mar.)