Eleven

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0385730691 ISBN 13: 9780385730693

Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books, 2008

Sam is almost 11 when he discovers a locked box in the attic above his grandfather Mack’s room, and a piece of paper that says he was kidnapped. There are lots of other words, but Sam has always had trouble reading. He’s desperate to find out who he is, and if his beloved Mack is really his grandfather. At night he’s haunted by dreams of a big castle and a terrifying escape on a boat. Who can he trust to help him read the documents that could unravel the mystery? Then he and the new girl, Caroline, are paired up to work on a school project, building a castle in Mack’s woodworking shop. Caroline loves to read, and she can help. But she’s moving soon, and the two must hurry to discover the truth about Sam.

About the Author:

Patricia Reilly Giff is the author of many beloved books for children, including the Newbery Honor books, Lily’s Crossing and Pictures of Hollis Woods. She lives in Trumbull, Connecticut.

From AudioFile:

What is ³eleven,² and why does Sam fear it? Could it be a month, a day, an address, an age? Two trees standing side by side or the double mast on a boat? Whatever it is, it haunts Sam's dreams--more frequently as his eleventh birthday approaches. Then, while secretly searching the attic for birthday presents, he notices a newspaper clipping with a picture that could be himself at a much younger age and the mysterious headline ³MISSING.² Patricia Reilly Giff writes prose with the touch of a poet. Staci Snell reads with the cadence of a poet and a respect for the author's words. She is the voice of Sam's subconscious as he puzzles through the mystery of who he is and where he belongs. N.E.M. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine