Jump the Cracks

by Stacy DeKeyser

I have been looking forward to reading this book for a long time. It is brand-new and by a first-time Connecticut author. (Even better, she grew up in the mid-west like me!!)

The story is about a 15 year old girl named Victoria who is travelling from Hartford to NYC on Amtrak to visit her Dad. He and her mom split about a year back and she is spending a month of her summer with him. On the train ride she notices a dirty toddler and his very impatient mom sitting nearby. She begins to worry about the boy, especially after she notices bruises on his arms.

As they are leaving the train, Victoria sees the mom does not have the boy any longer. She finds him in the train bathroom. As she steps off the train she notices a large, unfriendly man with the mom. She steps back on the train to duck out of the way, just as the train pulls out of the station.

Before she knows what is happening, Victoria is a suspect in a kidnapping and has $800 cash in her backpack. Money that the man wants back. The boys life is in danger and Victoria vows to keep him safe even though it puts her in danger as well.

The decisions Victoria makes are typical of a 15 year old. She is not always thinking logically, but follows her heart. Throughout her journey she learns about herself and her parents and ultimately learns how to appreciate them.

Even though the story has a subtext of what may happen to many kids in this country when they 'fall through the cracks,' it does not push the message down your throat. It is well and subtly stated. There is a lot of action and just enough emotion to keep you deep into the story. I think anyone over 12 would enjoy the story. (Yes, boys, too.) And it is short enough to keep even reluctant readers interested. I have listed it on the library website as a recommended read and a story that adults would enjoy as well.