Leaving Fishers

Leaving Fishers by Margaret Peterson Haddix follows Dorry who is feeling unliked and alone after her family moves to a new town. After meeting Angela and her group of friends she finally feels accepted.  She then agrees to attend a church party with her new friends and then she slowly becomes wrapped up in their religion, the Fishers.  While things at the beginning seem bright and wonderful they soon get harsher and more demanding of Dorry's time and energy to the point where she is putting her academics and her family relationships at risk.

This is an interesting book that shows readers how cults slowly brainwash new members while also dispelling the myth that cults are always worshipers of strange religions by making the Fishers a Christian Cult.  The author also makes sure to emphasize that faith wasn't the problem, it was the specific religion.  I enjoyed this book and remained interested throughout.  My only complaint is that the book ended too quickly. I would have preferred a longer resolution to the story as it ended very quickly and without as much drama as there should have been.

Appropriateness:  There is no adult content in this book.  There are a few mentions of sex but not in regards to anything the characters are doing. I would encourage parents to use this book as an opportunity to talk to their kids about cults, religion and faith.  I recommend this book to readers 12+