Left Behind >The Kids< The Vanishings By: Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye Tyndale House Publishers, INC. 1998 Malcolm Driscoll

Introduction to Novel This story takes place in Chicago. The book starts off by introducing the main characters Judd Vicki Lionel Ryan It discusses how they each lost their way with the Christian church.

Protagonist Judd Thompson Jr. was against his parents and just wanted to be independent. His need to fit in caused him to leave his church and vow not to return. He ran away from home.

Protagonist Vicki Byrne was a rebel and a pot head that loved to party. Her parents were the same way until they found Jesus. Vicki refused to change her life although everyone else in her family did, even her older brother.

Protagonist Lionel Washington was a liar . He went to church and enjoyed the songs but never really believed in Jesus. His uncle Andre, a drug addict, also did not believe in Jesus and was in and out of jail.

Protagonist Ryan Daley never really went to church but his friend Raymie Steele did. Raymie tried to tell Ryan about Jesus but Ryan just ignored him and went inside to play. Ryan was a Skeptic.

Antagonist The antagonists were the devil’s toys. The people that stopped Judd, Vicki, Lionel, and Ryan from accepting Christ.

Identification of Central Conflict The conflict in this book is whether or not to accept Christ and make it into heaven. All of the main characters are involved with this conflict; Judd Vicki Lionel Ryan

Minor Characters Judd’s mom is a minor character but is important to the story and the character of Judd himself. She is important because you can see how she pushes Judd away yet tries to get him to come to the church like he did when he was younger.

Minor Characters Vicki’s father is a minor character. He explains why Vicki behaves the way she does. He also foreshadows change within the kids and shows that it is possible to change.

Minor Characters Uncle Andre is a minor character but is important because he changes Lionel’s life when he tells him he is not really a Christian. This event changes Lionel’s life because at this point Lionel decides not to be a Christian just like his Uncle .

Minor Characters Raymie is a minor character. He is Ryan’s best friend and he tries to get Ryan to become a Christian like him but Ryan ignores him because Ryan just wants to play games.

What Critics Say This book review talks about how people all over the world have just disappeared right out of their cloths and how Judd, Vicki, Lionel, and Ryan are left alone to deal with the Earth’s chaos. Several readers post their thoughts about the book on this website. http://www.cmlibrary.org/readers_club/reviews/tresults.asp?id=1286

What Critics Say This book review talks about how Judd just wants to be left alone, how Vicki just wants to party and forget her parents found Jesus, how Lionel just wants to hang out with his uncle, and how Ryan just wants to play. The review then talks about the disappearing and how the four kids now want Jesus. It discusses how the four kids were a lot closer together than they thought. http://nancykeane.com/booktalks/jenkins_vanishings.htm

What does Malcolm Think About the Novel I really like the novel. I thought it had a very good message. I think you all should check it out from the library one day because it will really opens your eyes. It opened my eyes to what my Pastor has been preaching about the last six months. I plan to continuing reading this series and I hope you will too.