The Vanishings | Left Behind: The Kids #1

As the pilot came over the intercom, pleading for people to remain calm, the full realization of what had happened hit Judd. He didn’t know how many other people on the plane had any idea, but he sure did. Christ had come as he promised and raptured his church. Judd Lowered his face into his hands and shuddered. It was the worst nightmare imaginable, and he was wide awake. He, and most of the passengers on that plane, had been left behind.

The Vanishings is the first book of Left Behind: The Kids, a young reader series based on the original Left Behind novels. It might more accurately be called Left Behind: The Teens, though, as the youngest character is twelve. It accompanies the first book of the adult series and even happens in one of the same places.

This review format will be a little different than usual, due to the nature of this book.

Plot & Characters

Judd Thompson Jr. is a sixteen-year-old runaway. He grew up in church and memorized Bible verses, but he never really believed any of it. Now that he’s in highschool, he’s rejected Christianity outright, much to the sorrow of his family. He feels oppressed by his parents’ rules. So when a mislabeled credit card appears in the mail, he seizes the opportunity and makes his escape to the airport.

However, his trip to London will be short-lived. Only a couple hours into the flight, mass confusion breaks out across the plane. People have vanished from their seats, leaving all their worldly goods behind.

Vicki Byrne, by the age of fourteen, is already quite familiar with alcohol and cigarettes. Most nights she’s out with friends, taking part in activities her newly-Christian parents would be horrified to know of. And Vicki’s constant resistance toward Christianity makes her parents only more heartbroken. But will she continue to scoff at their faith when they disappear during the night?

Lionel Washington has been surrounded by church all his thirteen years—but it never came inside him. He lives in a family of Christians, their lives revolving around the church. Sure, he enjoys the services, the songs, the family time, but he’s never truly accepted the Bible. He and his uncle André are the only non-Christians in the whole Washington clan.

So when Lionel wakes to find his whole family missing, he knows exactly what has happened.

Twelve-year-old Ryan Daley only wanted to hang out with his best friend, Reymie Steele, but his mother prohibited anyone else in the house when she wasn’t there. For months Ryan and Reymie broke this rule, with Reymie sneaking out just before Ryan’s mother arrived, but now Reymie refuses. He says it wouldn’t be right—they should follow the rules.

He tries to explain to Ryan what’s happened to him, how he got serious about God. But Ryan, can’t, won’t, understand. But his world is upended when his parents both die in the chaos around the Rapture, and he turns to the church for answers.

Theme & Content Warnings

This first book in the series covers salvation, and four kids from varying backgrounds who have refused it in different ways. It is a cautionary tale, not trying to scare unbelievers, but warn them.

While everything in the book is appropriate, the things some characters are involved in may not be suitable for all readers. Vicki’s late-night escapades are talked about, mentioning her smoking marijuana and drinking. It hints at one character possibly taking drugs and getting involved in some shady deals.

Overall

The Vanishings does little but set the table for the bulk of this series. Most of the book is exposition on characters’ backgrounds and lives. This is why I combined the plot and character sections. It’s really an extended prologue, but I don’t mean that in a negative way. It’s just a fact.

At a short 150 pages, a voracious reader could consume The Vanishings in a day.

If you’re interested in reading the book, it may be more worthwhile to buy the newest version, called Taken, which includes the first four books of the series. The individual book and the collection are both linked below.

And as always, thanks for reading, and I’ll write you in the next one!