Book Reviews and More: The Search - Gordon Korman

The Search

Kidnapped Book 2

Scholastic Canada

ISBN 9780439847780

eISBN 9780545632904

ASIN B00CFTBJAE

The Search - Gordon Korman - Kidnapped Book 2

This volume was originally published in 2006, The On the Run Series was released over 2005-06 and this trilogy released in 2006. Korman published the 9 volumes featuring the Falconers over 2 years and only 1 other volume (Born To Rock) released between 2007 and the beginning of 2007. When I picked this up book 1 to read as the next Korman book to read I was unaware it was related to a different series. So in a way starting this is a bit of a spoiler for me. Because of that I waited until I had read all 6 books in the On the Run Series before returning to this volume. This series continues sometime shortly after the On the Run Series. The books in that series are:

Chasing the Falconers

The Fugitive Factor

Now You See Them, Now You Don't

The Stowaway Solution

Public Enemies

Hunting the Hunter

And the volumes in this series are:

The Abduction

The Search

The Rescue

In the summer of 2022, Korman published his 100th book. Yes you read that correctly, his hundredth book. As of the summer of 2025 Korman has published 109 books. And has one planned for release early next year. Over the last few years he has published 2 volumes each year, one early winter and one in the summer. With each that I read I am entertained and often challenged.

My introduction to Korman’s works was the 39 Clues back in 2009. Since then I have read 100 of his books. As of the reading of this volume I am down to 9 of his volumes to read, and there are the last or second to last book in series. My son often reads these books to me or with me. And now my youngest daughter has started reading them. I have been jumping around on different series and from his oldest works to his newest. There are so many great read in Korman’s canon.

The description of this volume is:

“The next thrilling installment in Gordon Korman's nonstop action-adventure trilogy! Where is Meg Falconer? Everybody wants to know. Her brother Aiden, who saw her kidnapped and is now trying to track her down, wants to know. The FBI, led by the very serious Agent Harris, wants to know. Her parents, who fear their pasts have something to do with why Meg was taken, want to know. Even Meg's kidnappers want to know. Because even though they caught her once, that doesn't mean they can keep a hold of her ...”

Another description is:

“The next thrilling installment in Gordon Korman's nonstop action-adventure trilogy!

Where is Meg Falconer? Everybody wants to know. Her brother Aiden, who saw her kidnapped and is now trying to track her down, wants to know. The FBI, led by the very serious Agent Harris, wants to know. Her parents, who fear their pasts have something to do with why Meg was taken, want to know. Even Meg's kidnappers want to know. Because even though they caught her once, that doesn't mean they can keep a hold of her ...”

Unlike many of Korman’s books the chapters do not have titles. The Falconers have got their lives back, the parents are out of prison, they are trying to return to normal life, and all of a sudden Meg is kidnapped. Aiden believes Meg has sent clues and a news story alerts him to the fact. But no one will listen to him. SO he decided to take action. Over the last year along with his sister they avoided law enforcement and travelled all over the country to prove their parents innocence. Now he is alone and on the hunt. Can he rescue her? Agent Harris has been removed from the case but he hits the road to try and find Aiden. An excellent volume in great series.

According to Goodreads at the time of writing this review there are 12 editions of this volume. But only the eBook and audio book are still in print. Like the series this continues from this story is a darker than many of Korman’s offerings. It has a great pace. The characters are masterfully written, and this second series with the same characters is powerful. You will find yourself pulled into the story and deeply invested, especially if you have read the preceding series. It is a story young readers will latch onto and be desperate to know what happens next! Another excellent read from Korman’s skilful pen! I can easily recommend this book, this series and both series featuring the Falconers.

Books by Gordon Korman:

MacDonald Hall Series:

This Can't Be Happening at Macdonald Hall (1978)

Go Jump in the Pool (1979)

Beware the Fish! (1980)

The Wizzle War (1982)

(formerly The War With Mr. Wizzle)

The Zucchini Warriors (1988)

Light’s Camera, Disaster (1991)

(aka Macdonald Hall Goes Hollywood)

The Jokes on Us (1995)

(formerly Something Fishy at Macdonald Hall)