Sadie

There are three books that I have read this year that I believe are real contenders for this years Printz Award. Sadie by Courtney Summers is one of those books. For fans of true crime, especially true crime podcasts, this book is perfect. Told from two points of view Sadie herself and West McCray’s transcript of his true crime podcast The Girls (which is reminiscent of Serial), this book perfectly pulls you in and strings you along during this beautifully crafted mystery.

Sadie hasn’t had an easy life. Growing up on her own, she’s been raising her sister Mattie in an isolated small town, trying her best to provide a normal life and keep their heads above water after her drug-addicted mother abandons them. But when Mattie is found dead – brutally murdered, Sadie’s entire world crumbles. After a somewhat botched police investigation, Sadie is determined to bring her sister’s killer to justice and hits the road following a few meager clues to find him – clues that involve her past.

When West McCray―a radio personality working on a segment about small, forgotten towns in America―overhears Sadie’s story at a local gas station, he becomes obsessed with finding the missing girl. He starts his own podcast as he tracks Sadie’s journey, trying to figure out what happened, and hoping to find her before it’s too late.

The interchanging points of view allow you to experience Sadie’s desperate search while keeping the mystery of what happens to her (and what happened in her past to set her on this wild goose chase) a secret.

This book is thrilling and touching at the same time- not an easy feat. Keep your eye out for this one!