"Found" by Margaret Peterson Haddix
The story follows Jonah, a 14-year-old boy who has always lived in a secluded cabin with his adoptive parents. He's always been told he was found as a baby, but he has no memories of his past. One day, his parents disappear, leaving him alone with a strange, cryptic note.
Jonah decides to investigate his own past, leading him to a secret society called the "Founders." He soon discovers that he and hundreds of other teenagers were taken from their families as babies, raised separately in a controlled environment, and given new identities. The Founders claim they are protecting these "Found" children from a mysterious threat.
Jonah, along with his newfound friend, Cassie, who was also "Found," questions the Founders' motives and embarks on a dangerous quest to uncover the truth about their past and find out why they were taken from their real families. They face many obstacles, including the Founders' attempts to stop them, and must learn to trust each other and their own instincts.
Key Themes:
* Identity: The novel explores the importance of knowing your past to define who you are.
* Trust: Jonah struggles with trusting the Founders and his own adoptive parents, eventually realizing that true trust comes from building connections and understanding.
* Freedom: The Found children are fighting for the freedom to know their real identities and choose their own paths in life.
* Family: The novel examines different forms of family and the importance of loving relationships.
"Found" is a captivating story that explores themes of identity, trust, and freedom. It's a suspenseful read that will keep you guessing until the very end.