Want to Go Private? by Sarah Littman

Publication Date: 8/1/2011

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Pages: 336

Format: Hardcover

Source: Library

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Goodreads Summary:

Abby and Luke chat online. They've never met. But they are going to. Soon.

Abby is starting high school—it should be exciting, so why doesn't she care? Everyone tells her to "make an effort," but why can't she just be herself? Abby quickly feels like she's losing a grip on her once-happy life. The only thing she cares about anymore is talking to Luke, a guy she met online, who understands. It feels dangerous and yet good to chat with Luke—he is her secret, and she's his. Then Luke asks her to meet him, and she does. But Luke isn't who he says he is. When Abby goes missing, everyone is left to put together the pieces. If they don't, they'll never see Abby again.

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Do you ever run into a book that is so hard to read, yet so necessary to read?  That's how I feel about this book.  Although, I admit it may have been more difficult for me to read based upon certain situations I've gone through in life, but I think this book would be hard for anyone to read.  Sarah Littman did an amazing job of making me feel the heartache, love, and helplessness that Abby felt.  Abby is a character that I wish I could have given advice to.  I wish I could have told her about Luke and what he was really like.  

Abby is a very smart young girl.  She gets straight-A's and has a great best friend.  She's scared about starting high school, but who isn't?  When high school starts though she feels like her parents are on her constantly to be perfect, she feels like she's losing her best friend, and she can't seem to get a grip on life to make new friends.  That's when she meets Luke.  Luke makes her feel perfect.  He makes her feel like she can be herself and still be loved by someone.  He makes her feel special.  He makes her feel exactly like a predator is known to make a young girl feel...safe, secure, and loved.  Luke gives her what she feels like she's been missing in her own life.  He listens.

All these emotions just build up and make Abby believe the uncomfortable things she does are right.  She believes this guy loves her.  We are taken on her roller coaster ride of emotions as she works through who Luke is and how he makes her feel.  Then, we work through the emotions of her friends and family when they discover she's been chatting online to someone and is now missing.  The frustration of her parents is something I wouldn't want to ever experience.  The realization that you can't protect your children from everything that happens.

I really, truly believe this is a book that teenagers should read, as well as their parents.  Parents don't always want to believe what they are told about things that can happen online.  Teens don't want to believe it could ever happen to them.  This is such a true representation of the emotions that a teenager can feel.  It's a great story that makes you realize even smart girls can be taken advantage of.  I couldn't believe the emotion this book evoked from me, but for reasons I understand.  If you haven't read this book, you really should.  This is one to keep on yourself and recommend to everyone you know.  I already have a list of people I can't wait to share this book with.  You should too.