Stranded

Kazakhstan is on the brink of civil war, and Elders Schofield and Johnson need to get out ASAP. But when their train explodes, all the evidence points to the missionaries! With terrorists on their trail and the whole country against them, the elders' only refuge is the US Embassy in Astana-800 miles away. Fans of The Saratov Approach will love this jaw-dropping thriller.

Gr 9 Up—Huffaker's novel centers around his personal experiences as a missionary in Eastern Europe. The work follows two missionaries who find themselves caught up in an underworld effort to bring chaos to the country. When they "see a little too much," they are soon labeled as foreign terrorists in the media. The remainder of the narrative tracks their journey toward potential safety. The story is told through alternating chapters presenting the viewpoints of about 10 characters. The plotting still flows very well and it is fast-paced and engaging enough at its core. However, a major flaw lies within the somehwat inconsistent and unbelievable dialogue, which will often take readers out of the story. There are also deep religious undertones that feel overly preachy. Some readers may feel put off by this, others who are so inclined, might willingly embrace it. VERDICT A well-crafted adventure with a Christian-heavy message.—Chad Lane, Easton Elementary, Wye Mills, MD