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Where Ella Went
A clever, funny multimedia mystery from author Laurie Morrison, about soccer teammates trying to solve the disappearance of their beloved team captain—and facing a few secrets of their own
Why did Ella leave?
Eighth Graders Sadie and Pug don’t have anything in common except for their love of soccer and their loyalty to Ella, the overachieving team captain. So when Ella doesn’t show up for the most important game of the season and her parents pull her out of school, Sadie and Pug are determined to find out what happened, even though they don’t usually get along. There’s no way Ella abandoned the team!
But as Sadie and Pug dig deeper, they begin to realize that Ella’s life wasn’t as perfect as it seemed. And maybe Sadie and Pug have a few secrets that need to come to light, too. Maybe all their classmates do…
Told in recordings, letters, texts, journal entries, and emails, Where Ella Went is a funny and absorbing slice-of-life mystery about friendship, teamwork, and the pressures of being in middle school. If Sadie and Pug keep searching for answers, they risk sabotaging the end of their soccer season. But can they ever move on if they don’t learn the truth? And what if Ella needs them even more than they need her?
Why did Ella leave?
Eighth Graders Sadie and Pug don’t have anything in common except for their love of soccer and their loyalty to Ella, the overachieving team captain. So when Ella doesn’t show up for the most important game of the season and her parents pull her out of school, Sadie and Pug are determined to find out what happened, even though they don’t usually get along. There’s no way Ella abandoned the team!
But as Sadie and Pug dig deeper, they begin to realize that Ella’s life wasn’t as perfect as it seemed. And maybe Sadie and Pug have a few secrets that need to come to light, too. Maybe all their classmates do…
Told in recordings, letters, texts, journal entries, and emails, Where Ella Went is a funny and absorbing slice-of-life mystery about friendship, teamwork, and the pressures of being in middle school. If Sadie and Pug keep searching for answers, they risk sabotaging the end of their soccer season. But can they ever move on if they don’t learn the truth? And what if Ella needs them even more than they need her?
304 pages, Hardcover
First published April 14, 2026
About the author
Laurie Morrison
10 books115 followersLaurie Morrison is the coauthor of Every Shiny Thing and the author of Up for Air, Saint Ivy, Coming Up Short, Keeping Pace, and Where Ella Went (coming April 14, 2026). Laurie’s books have received starred reviews and been chosen as Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selections and finalists for state award lists. She holds an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts, and she lives with her family in Philadelphia, PA, where she teaches middle school language arts. You can visit her website at lauriemorrisonwrites.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
December 9, 2025
I received a free copy of, Where Ella Went, by Laurie Morrison, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Ella is in eighth grade and is captain of her schools soccer team, when she suddenly disappears. Pug and Sadie are classmates and teammates of Ella, and want to find her. I forgot about all the big feels from elementary school. This book had so many emotions throughout it. It was a really good and engaging read.
April 25, 2026
Wow. As someone who has had panic attacks before and thinks about worst case scenarios all the time, I loved this book. It felt like I knew and could bond with the characters. I think the character I felt the most alike to was Sadie or Henry and I love that these characters are so relatable and realistic.
May 24, 2026
Laurie Morrison does a fantastic job writing middle school characters in a way that respects them and highlights the realities of how hard it can feel to be a tween or young teen. Where Ella Went uses texts, e-mails, letters, journal entries, podcast recordings, and more to tell the story of missing star soccer player, Ella Hart as her friends/teammates try to figure out where she went and why. Many characters add to the story, and each has their own unique role to play in what happened to Ella.
The cover of this made me think it was for younger readers, but based on some of the themes (alcoholism, parental abandonment, mental health challenges, consent) I would say this is perfect for 11-14, and especially soccer-lovers.
The cover of this made me think it was for younger readers, but based on some of the themes (alcoholism, parental abandonment, mental health challenges, consent) I would say this is perfect for 11-14, and especially soccer-lovers.
May 22, 2026
Ohh you know I loves this. A middle grade epistolary mystery grounded in the social lives and concerns of middle schoolers. Exactly my kind of nonsense.
I do think it would have benefitted by turning a more critical eye to the concept of organized youth sports as competition, but perhaps that is just my own bias.
The ADHD rep was very authentic and earnest to me - especially because the multiple ADHD characters allowed the story to present nuanced views. I really appreciated that Pug was like "Im not going to attend something called the Neurospicy Lunch Bunch because the name makes me gag".
I do think it would have benefitted by turning a more critical eye to the concept of organized youth sports as competition, but perhaps that is just my own bias.
The ADHD rep was very authentic and earnest to me - especially because the multiple ADHD characters allowed the story to present nuanced views. I really appreciated that Pug was like "Im not going to attend something called the Neurospicy Lunch Bunch because the name makes me gag".
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
In this epistolatory novels that utilizes text messages, e mails, podcast transcript and other nontraditional formats, we meet Pug (Alice) and Sadie, who have put together this documentation of their investigation of why their 8th grade soccer team captain, Ella, left school. The school has told the students that Ella is okay, and asked for privacy for the family; Pug has texted Ella's phone and gotten in trouble with the school director, Dr. Kimball. Pug, who has ADHD and impulse control issues, isn't happy that Sadie, who has just moved to town, was such good friends with Ella, and not happy that Sadie immediately made the soccer team and displaced her on the field. Sadie, whose father makes film documentaries and whose mother has not been in the picture due to alcohol addiction issues, is struggling with the move from Philadelphia to a New Jersey suburb, but is enjoying staying with her grandmother, grandfather, and young cousin Violet. Pug's twin brother, Henry, is in 9th grade, since he is academically advanced, and he struggles with anxiety, especially about getting onto the high school newspaper. There are several boys in the 8th grade class who are jerks, and Pug has an especial problem with Brayden, who has said mean things about Ella. There are several instances where Pug makes poor decisions and has to go through her school's restorative justice program, writing essays about how she has broken the school's code of conduct. Sadie and Pug team up to figure out why Ella left so suddenly; she even left her soccer jersey on Sadie's porch with a note, right before a critical game. There's plenty of relationship and friend drama, some family issues, and an incident on the soccer field during one of Ella's club team games that all come to light. Information about other characters' lives also plays into the plot. Sadie and Pug team up, and with the help of Henry and Ella's friend Sloane, finally figure out why their friend moved away without telling them much. There is some reconciliation, and while the end isn't ideal, everyone is able to move on from this critical event.
Strengths: Morrison writes excellent upper middle grade novels which often involve sports. The epistolatory format is a bit of a departure for her, but readers who enjoy Greenwald's TMI books will find this interesting. There is a TON of soccer and tween drama, which are always popular topics. The inclusion of some crushes and the nervousness surrounding them was perfect. I adored the active role that Pug's parents had in her life, and how they handled her struggles, but have to agree with Pug that having to attend the "Neurospicy Lunch Bunch" would not be my idea of a good time! It is a really horrible name. It makes sense that students would try to create a "true crime" podcast about their friend; it has the same name as the book. It was especially fun when the transcript of the kids' recording is interspersed with Pug fighting with her father about doing her homework! There are several twists in the plot that I don't want to spoil.
Weaknesses: This was on the long side, and I personally struggled to connect with the characters because of the changes in format and viewpoints. The director's long e mails will amuse adults, but tweens might not get them. In my school, teachers would never assign students to send an email to them with an introduction (including "hopes and dreams"), since all emails are public record and can be requested by the press. We would use Schoology, a format like Blackboard, but another reviewer said that in her high school, students checking email is required.
What I really think: I was hoping that this would be a darker mystery like Summy's 2015 The Disappearance of Emily H. or Weatherly's 2004 Missing Abby, but Ella's move wasn't the result of anything all that horrible. This will be a hit with readers who enjoyed Sloan and Wolitzer's 2019To Night Owl from Dogfish or the classic 1998 Martin and Danziger's P.S. Longer Letter Later.
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
In this epistolatory novels that utilizes text messages, e mails, podcast transcript and other nontraditional formats, we meet Pug (Alice) and Sadie, who have put together this documentation of their investigation of why their 8th grade soccer team captain, Ella, left school. The school has told the students that Ella is okay, and asked for privacy for the family; Pug has texted Ella's phone and gotten in trouble with the school director, Dr. Kimball. Pug, who has ADHD and impulse control issues, isn't happy that Sadie, who has just moved to town, was such good friends with Ella, and not happy that Sadie immediately made the soccer team and displaced her on the field. Sadie, whose father makes film documentaries and whose mother has not been in the picture due to alcohol addiction issues, is struggling with the move from Philadelphia to a New Jersey suburb, but is enjoying staying with her grandmother, grandfather, and young cousin Violet. Pug's twin brother, Henry, is in 9th grade, since he is academically advanced, and he struggles with anxiety, especially about getting onto the high school newspaper. There are several boys in the 8th grade class who are jerks, and Pug has an especial problem with Brayden, who has said mean things about Ella. There are several instances where Pug makes poor decisions and has to go through her school's restorative justice program, writing essays about how she has broken the school's code of conduct. Sadie and Pug team up to figure out why Ella left so suddenly; she even left her soccer jersey on Sadie's porch with a note, right before a critical game. There's plenty of relationship and friend drama, some family issues, and an incident on the soccer field during one of Ella's club team games that all come to light. Information about other characters' lives also plays into the plot. Sadie and Pug team up, and with the help of Henry and Ella's friend Sloane, finally figure out why their friend moved away without telling them much. There is some reconciliation, and while the end isn't ideal, everyone is able to move on from this critical event.
Strengths: Morrison writes excellent upper middle grade novels which often involve sports. The epistolatory format is a bit of a departure for her, but readers who enjoy Greenwald's TMI books will find this interesting. There is a TON of soccer and tween drama, which are always popular topics. The inclusion of some crushes and the nervousness surrounding them was perfect. I adored the active role that Pug's parents had in her life, and how they handled her struggles, but have to agree with Pug that having to attend the "Neurospicy Lunch Bunch" would not be my idea of a good time! It is a really horrible name. It makes sense that students would try to create a "true crime" podcast about their friend; it has the same name as the book. It was especially fun when the transcript of the kids' recording is interspersed with Pug fighting with her father about doing her homework! There are several twists in the plot that I don't want to spoil.
Weaknesses: This was on the long side, and I personally struggled to connect with the characters because of the changes in format and viewpoints. The director's long e mails will amuse adults, but tweens might not get them. In my school, teachers would never assign students to send an email to them with an introduction (including "hopes and dreams"), since all emails are public record and can be requested by the press. We would use Schoology, a format like Blackboard, but another reviewer said that in her high school, students checking email is required.
What I really think: I was hoping that this would be a darker mystery like Summy's 2015 The Disappearance of Emily H. or Weatherly's 2004 Missing Abby, but Ella's move wasn't the result of anything all that horrible. This will be a hit with readers who enjoyed Sloan and Wolitzer's 2019To Night Owl from Dogfish or the classic 1998 Martin and Danziger's P.S. Longer Letter Later.
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A sports mystery told through an epistolary lens, with an emphasis on learning differences and tween mental health, all leavened with unexpected humor. In this unlikely but masterful blend (that also namechecks Judy Blume), two main characters investigate the sudden disappearance of their seemingly perfect soccer captain, sometimes referred to a bit derisively as Everything Ella. Pug, her 8th grade team co-captain, offers her bulldog-like persistence and impulsive, scattershot insights, while working to overcome the challenges of ADHD. Meanwhile, newcomer Sadie turns out to be a talented player, competing with Pug for an offensive spot and also for Ella’s attention. But Sadie brings her own baggage; she’s being raised by her single dad after her alcoholic mom abandoned them. We meet Ella briefly but then right before the big game of the season, she disappears. From the outset, we know that the other two girls eventually get into serious trouble, as Pug opens the entire compilation of news articles, emails, disciplinary reports, text messages, and transcripts that make up the book with a pleading note addressed to Dr. Kimball, the director of the Birchfield School. Although repeatedly warned by adults that Ella wants no contact, Pug and Sadie just can’t let go of the mystery and the reader will enjoy following the various curve balls that the characters chase down as they try to find out what actually happened. Soccer fans will appreciate that the sport meaningfully occupies center stage here, with detailed descriptions of plays, practices, and coaching, and that the characters’ feelings about their involvement ultimately help drive the plot forward.
Morrison employs the epistolary format beautifully in this book. Both of her characters have a strong, unique voice, which are reflected in the ways they contribute content to the story. Pug’s sections (sometimes supplied as audio transcripts because writing can be difficult for her) are really very funny, but also show genuine growth. She bravely includes several of her disciplinary T.A.P. (Take A Pause) reflection forms, which she repeatedly has to complete and then revise. These do feel entertainingly pro forma but also give us a chance to see Pug mature and work to connect with others. Sadie’s the more naturally ruminative character and thus expresses herself through written journal entries and surprisingly good poetry. Even secondary characters take on depth, most noticeably Pug’s genius twin brother Henry, who copes with anxiety and writes up bulleted “Worst Case Scenario” lists. Parents and adults remain peripheral to the story, but nevertheless, generally act positively to support the kids. The Birchfield is an independent school (and somewhat precious because of this) and the main characters cue as white, although diversity in secondary characters is indicated through their names. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
Morrison employs the epistolary format beautifully in this book. Both of her characters have a strong, unique voice, which are reflected in the ways they contribute content to the story. Pug’s sections (sometimes supplied as audio transcripts because writing can be difficult for her) are really very funny, but also show genuine growth. She bravely includes several of her disciplinary T.A.P. (Take A Pause) reflection forms, which she repeatedly has to complete and then revise. These do feel entertainingly pro forma but also give us a chance to see Pug mature and work to connect with others. Sadie’s the more naturally ruminative character and thus expresses herself through written journal entries and surprisingly good poetry. Even secondary characters take on depth, most noticeably Pug’s genius twin brother Henry, who copes with anxiety and writes up bulleted “Worst Case Scenario” lists. Parents and adults remain peripheral to the story, but nevertheless, generally act positively to support the kids. The Birchfield is an independent school (and somewhat precious because of this) and the main characters cue as white, although diversity in secondary characters is indicated through their names. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Book Title: Where Ella Went Author: Laurie Morrison
Genre: Middle Grade / Epistolary Mystery
________________________________________
The Hook: A Captain-Sized Hole
In the world of eighth-grade soccer, Ella isn't just a captain; she’s the glue holding the team together. So, when she vanishes before the season’s biggest game—and her parents go into "witness protection mode" by pulling her from school, the fallout is immediate. Laurie Morrison delivers a "whodunnit" (or rather, a why she did it) that feels as urgent as a fast break toward the goal.
The Players: An Unlikely Duo
The heart of this story lies in the friction between Sadie and Pug. They have zero in common except for a mutual devotion to Ella and a shared inability to let things go. Watching these two bickering teammates forced into a reluctant investigative partnership provides much of the book's wit. It’s a classic "odd couple" dynamic, but with higher stakes and more shin guards.
The Playback: A Multi-Media Mystery
Morrison opts for a clever, modern storytelling method. Instead of standard prose, the narrative is stitched together through:
• Voice recordings and texts
• Scribbled journal entries
• Leaked emails and letters
This "found footage" style makes the reader feel like a third detective on the case, sifting through the digital debris of middle school life. It’s fast-paced, funny, and perfectly captures the frantic energy of thirteen-year-olds trying to navigate a crisis.
The Twist: Beyond the Pitch
As Sadie and Pug peel back the layers of Ella’s "perfect" life, they find something far more relatable than a grand conspiracy: the crushing weight of overachievement. The mystery serves as a Trojan horse for a deeper look at the pressures middle schoolers face to be everything to everyone. Along the way, the investigators’ own secrets start to leak out, proving that Ella wasn't the only one playing a part.
The Verdict: Where Ella Went is a witty, absorbing slice-of-life mystery that understands that sometimes the biggest secrets aren't hidden in dark alleys, but in the group chat. It’s a win for fans of realistic fiction and anyone who knows that teamwork is a lot harder than it looks on the scoreboard.
Genre: Middle Grade / Epistolary Mystery
________________________________________
The Hook: A Captain-Sized Hole
In the world of eighth-grade soccer, Ella isn't just a captain; she’s the glue holding the team together. So, when she vanishes before the season’s biggest game—and her parents go into "witness protection mode" by pulling her from school, the fallout is immediate. Laurie Morrison delivers a "whodunnit" (or rather, a why she did it) that feels as urgent as a fast break toward the goal.
The Players: An Unlikely Duo
The heart of this story lies in the friction between Sadie and Pug. They have zero in common except for a mutual devotion to Ella and a shared inability to let things go. Watching these two bickering teammates forced into a reluctant investigative partnership provides much of the book's wit. It’s a classic "odd couple" dynamic, but with higher stakes and more shin guards.
The Playback: A Multi-Media Mystery
Morrison opts for a clever, modern storytelling method. Instead of standard prose, the narrative is stitched together through:
• Voice recordings and texts
• Scribbled journal entries
• Leaked emails and letters
This "found footage" style makes the reader feel like a third detective on the case, sifting through the digital debris of middle school life. It’s fast-paced, funny, and perfectly captures the frantic energy of thirteen-year-olds trying to navigate a crisis.
The Twist: Beyond the Pitch
As Sadie and Pug peel back the layers of Ella’s "perfect" life, they find something far more relatable than a grand conspiracy: the crushing weight of overachievement. The mystery serves as a Trojan horse for a deeper look at the pressures middle schoolers face to be everything to everyone. Along the way, the investigators’ own secrets start to leak out, proving that Ella wasn't the only one playing a part.
The Verdict: Where Ella Went is a witty, absorbing slice-of-life mystery that understands that sometimes the biggest secrets aren't hidden in dark alleys, but in the group chat. It’s a win for fans of realistic fiction and anyone who knows that teamwork is a lot harder than it looks on the scoreboard.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
"Where Ella Went" by Laurie Morrison is a modern epistolary middle grade novel that seeks to solve the title mystery. Ella is one of the co-captains of the girl's soccer team at Birchfield Middle School. She's also a stellar student, president of the 8th grade student council, and an all around popular and nice girl. In her circle are her co-captain Pug, her best friend Sloane, a new girl named Sadie, and Pug's twin brother Henry. When Ella disappears right before a pivotal soccer rematch her classmates and friends are worried. Pug joins forces with Sadie and Henry to try and solve the mystery of why Ella has moved away suddenly and gone no contact. In some ways this novel is similar to the popular grown up novel, "Where'd You Go Bernadette" by Maria Semple, in that it is a mystery surrounding the disappearance of one character, told in multi-media fragments. In this case the story is told in journal entries, school newspaper articles, podcast recordings, etc. Unlike "Bernadette" the main character in this book is arguably not really Ella, but her friends who have to confront their own mysteries in order to understand Ella's story. There are a lot of characters in this book, but Morrison does an excellent job presenting a story that jumps from one narrator to another rather quickly. We don't hear Ella's voice too much, but again that doesn't take away from the compelling narrative. As a teacher for many decades I thought the portrayals of the school's grownups: the director, the soccer coach, and the guidance counselor were humorous and also bitingly accurate. This book is a natural fit for fans of Judy Blume, or any stories where hard truths are realized with the help of family and friends.
May 14, 2026
Eighth grader Ella - nicknamed Everything Ella for her success in a variety of activities - is among other things the captain of the soccer team, alongside her friend and co-captain, Pug. Ambitious and well liked, Ella is the girl who seems to have everything and be good at almost everything. And she is kind and popular as well, as the new girl in school Sadie can confirm.
Until she mysteriously disappears just before a game that is meant to be the highlight of the season, and for which her team desperately needs her. Neither Pug nor Sadie can accept this decision at face value, not least because of what it means for each of them as well as for the team.
So, although they don't like each other, the reluctant duo team up to find out what has really happened to Ella. In the process, they not only find out about aspects of their friend's life that they had no idea of, they also come face to face with some of their own issues, which are handled with a deft touch in this story.
This is an engaging tale, told in an authentic voice which seems to fully understand the realities of the lives of school children today. The multimedia approach through which the story is told uses emails, journal entries, and social media elements to create a unique storytelling format.
The book deals with topics that will resonate with middle graders including the pressure to succeed, modern lifestyle stresses, complex family dynamics, trauma and how its effects manifest, addiction, secrets and the need for image management with regard to peers and the world at large. I really enjoyed this, and I think readers in the target group will as well. Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Until she mysteriously disappears just before a game that is meant to be the highlight of the season, and for which her team desperately needs her. Neither Pug nor Sadie can accept this decision at face value, not least because of what it means for each of them as well as for the team.
So, although they don't like each other, the reluctant duo team up to find out what has really happened to Ella. In the process, they not only find out about aspects of their friend's life that they had no idea of, they also come face to face with some of their own issues, which are handled with a deft touch in this story.
This is an engaging tale, told in an authentic voice which seems to fully understand the realities of the lives of school children today. The multimedia approach through which the story is told uses emails, journal entries, and social media elements to create a unique storytelling format.
The book deals with topics that will resonate with middle graders including the pressure to succeed, modern lifestyle stresses, complex family dynamics, trauma and how its effects manifest, addiction, secrets and the need for image management with regard to peers and the world at large. I really enjoyed this, and I think readers in the target group will as well. Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from Author
Book Report: Where Ella Went by Laurie Morrison
When star soccer player Ella suddenly disappears…missing the biggest game of the season and leaving school without explanation…her teammates Sadie and Pug set out to uncover the truth. As they dig deeper…what starts as a mystery unravels into something more tender.
A story about…
👯♀️ friendship
✨pressure
💭and the things we don’t always see in each other’s lives.
Told through letters💌texts💬and journal entries📓this one pulls you in piece by piece.
I was honestly so bummed when I got turned down for this on NetGalley because I loved Laurie Morrison’s Keeping Pace. She instantly became an auto read author for me. So when she reached out and I got the chance to read this before release…I was beyond excited… and it did not disappoint🥹✨
The title sets the tone perfectly…it keeps you wondering the entire time. Even my 7 year old (who is a huge reader) was hooked just hearing about it. She kept popping in to ask if I had figured out where Ella was yet…which says everything about how engaging this story is. The epistolary format was so fun and brilliantly done and the characters completely won me over…especially Pug who is just unforgettable.
This one truly warmed my heart and it’s going straight on our middle grade shelf for my girls to discover in a few years… if my middle one can wait that long💕📚
Thank you Laurie and Amulet Books for the free copy!
Releases 4/14
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lyon.brit.A...
When star soccer player Ella suddenly disappears…missing the biggest game of the season and leaving school without explanation…her teammates Sadie and Pug set out to uncover the truth. As they dig deeper…what starts as a mystery unravels into something more tender.
A story about…
👯♀️ friendship
✨pressure
💭and the things we don’t always see in each other’s lives.
Told through letters💌texts💬and journal entries📓this one pulls you in piece by piece.
I was honestly so bummed when I got turned down for this on NetGalley because I loved Laurie Morrison’s Keeping Pace. She instantly became an auto read author for me. So when she reached out and I got the chance to read this before release…I was beyond excited… and it did not disappoint🥹✨
The title sets the tone perfectly…it keeps you wondering the entire time. Even my 7 year old (who is a huge reader) was hooked just hearing about it. She kept popping in to ask if I had figured out where Ella was yet…which says everything about how engaging this story is. The epistolary format was so fun and brilliantly done and the characters completely won me over…especially Pug who is just unforgettable.
This one truly warmed my heart and it’s going straight on our middle grade shelf for my girls to discover in a few years… if my middle one can wait that long💕📚
Thank you Laurie and Amulet Books for the free copy!
Releases 4/14
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lyon.brit.A...
May 24, 2026
Sadie, a new 8th grader, is determined to be quiet and not make waves as she starts a new school in a new town while living with her grandparents. Her father is often out of town making documentaries and she wants to do her bets to not cause any trouble for anyones, especially not after what happened last school year (an incident she does not wish to dwell on).
One of the most popular girls in school, Ella, seems keen on being friends with her, which is awesome. Ella's soccer teammate, Pug, less so. Which is a bummer but Sadie gets it as the coach gives Pug's spot away to Sadie on the soccer team. In the lead up to one of the biggest rivalry games of the soccer season, Ella vanishes.
Their school principal says not to worry, to give Ella her privacy and not reach out. But Sadie and Pug both know something really bad must have happened and Ella must have left without knowing she was going to because she would never abandon the soccer team (she was a team captain afterall!) nor her student council president position. So where, exactly, did Ella go? And can Sadie and Pug put aside their differences to find out?
---
This was a fun book told in transcripts, texts, e-mails, etc. I listen to it on audiobook as there was a long waitlist for the print copy at the public library. I thought something really bad must have happened to Ella so the ending was a bit meh for me.
One of the most popular girls in school, Ella, seems keen on being friends with her, which is awesome. Ella's soccer teammate, Pug, less so. Which is a bummer but Sadie gets it as the coach gives Pug's spot away to Sadie on the soccer team. In the lead up to one of the biggest rivalry games of the soccer season, Ella vanishes.
Their school principal says not to worry, to give Ella her privacy and not reach out. But Sadie and Pug both know something really bad must have happened and Ella must have left without knowing she was going to because she would never abandon the soccer team (she was a team captain afterall!) nor her student council president position. So where, exactly, did Ella go? And can Sadie and Pug put aside their differences to find out?
---
This was a fun book told in transcripts, texts, e-mails, etc. I listen to it on audiobook as there was a long waitlist for the print copy at the public library. I thought something really bad must have happened to Ella so the ending was a bit meh for me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
An ambitious, funny, and relatable multi-format story about a group of 8th graders trying to figure out why their capable soccer captain abruptly left the school and team before a pivotal game. Newcomer Sadie and larger-than-life defender Alice "Pug" Fitzpatrick don't see eye to eye when Sadie first joins their soccer team, but when their captain Ella disappears, the two are forced to work together–along with some unexpected fellow 8th graders–in this story told through podcast recordings, text messages, poetry, and even blog posts and emails. My favorite thing about this book is the characterization. With a full ensemble cast like this, it's easy for several characters to become boilerplate or get lost in the story, but I left the book wanting a story about each of the characters–like I would read a series set in these character's worlds! I also adored the ADHD representation in this story and the undeniable humor Morrison includes throughout. Ultimately, it is a story about navigating shame after mistakes, combatting perfectionism, and what it means to be a team. Great for fans of What Happened to Rachel Riley? and kids who love soccer!
Bring your class to our virtual author visit with Laurie Morrison this month on April 15, 2026. GET TICKETS
Bring your class to our virtual author visit with Laurie Morrison this month on April 15, 2026. GET TICKETS
April 14, 2026
This was a really strong middle grade mystery with such a unique format! The story is told through letters, emails, texts, recordings, and journal entries, which made it super engaging and kept the pages turning.
Ella is the girl who seems to do it all—co-captain of the soccer team, class president, and basically perfect in every way. But when she suddenly doesn’t show up for the biggest game of the year… she’s just gone.
Her teammates, Pug (co-captain) and Sadie (new to the school), are determined to figure out what happened—despite being warned by school administration to stay out of it.
What really stood out to me is how this book goes beyond the mystery. It explores so many important topics in a real and relatable way:
⚽ peer pressure
🧠 anxiety & ADHD
💛 relationships & family dynamics
🎭 the pressure to be “perfect”
💔 trauma and how people cope
The characters felt authentic and imperfect in the best way, both the kids and the adults. Laurie Morrison did a fantastic job making them feel real and layered.
This is a great recommendation for middle grade readers—engaging, meaningful, and thought-provoking all at once. I’ll definitely be looking for more from this author!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Ella is the girl who seems to do it all—co-captain of the soccer team, class president, and basically perfect in every way. But when she suddenly doesn’t show up for the biggest game of the year… she’s just gone.
Her teammates, Pug (co-captain) and Sadie (new to the school), are determined to figure out what happened—despite being warned by school administration to stay out of it.
What really stood out to me is how this book goes beyond the mystery. It explores so many important topics in a real and relatable way:
⚽ peer pressure
🧠 anxiety & ADHD
💛 relationships & family dynamics
🎭 the pressure to be “perfect”
💔 trauma and how people cope
The characters felt authentic and imperfect in the best way, both the kids and the adults. Laurie Morrison did a fantastic job making them feel real and layered.
This is a great recommendation for middle grade readers—engaging, meaningful, and thought-provoking all at once. I’ll definitely be looking for more from this author!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I basically say no to all review opportunities at this time, but I had to make an exception for Laurie Morrison and her newest middle grade novel (out tomorrow!) WHERE ELLA WENT ⚽
I grew up playing sports, but most sports books were about boy athletes and boy teams, with the occasional girl-plays-with-the-boys plot. So finding Morrison’s books as an adult has been a bit like reliving my childhood athlete life in the best way possible and Where Ella Went might be my favorite yet. Told in multimedia formatting with journal entries, texts, transcripts of audio files, and emails, this mystery is realistic, relatable, and genuine. The sports talk is REAL (meaning the soccer elements are written with soccer knowledge), the school and kids feel like middle schoolers you’d meet today, and the situations are timely and normal.
This book has an incredible message to all of us about the challenges of perfectionism, competition, and what it means to be human. All without getting preachy or boring.
My 12yo daughter (who loved What Happened to Rachel Riley) can’t wait to read this and I know she’ll love it. 100% heartily recommended for middle grade readers in particular, but I think this is a story with such depth that it will resonate with teens and adults as well.
I grew up playing sports, but most sports books were about boy athletes and boy teams, with the occasional girl-plays-with-the-boys plot. So finding Morrison’s books as an adult has been a bit like reliving my childhood athlete life in the best way possible and Where Ella Went might be my favorite yet. Told in multimedia formatting with journal entries, texts, transcripts of audio files, and emails, this mystery is realistic, relatable, and genuine. The sports talk is REAL (meaning the soccer elements are written with soccer knowledge), the school and kids feel like middle schoolers you’d meet today, and the situations are timely and normal.
This book has an incredible message to all of us about the challenges of perfectionism, competition, and what it means to be human. All without getting preachy or boring.
My 12yo daughter (who loved What Happened to Rachel Riley) can’t wait to read this and I know she’ll love it. 100% heartily recommended for middle grade readers in particular, but I think this is a story with such depth that it will resonate with teens and adults as well.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Laurie Morrison kept me up late again. As usual, her characters are compelling, realistic, relatably flawed, and relevant to modern tweens. She truly understands the age group. Pug's voice was perfect, while Sadie's character will resonate with introverted readers.
It was clear that Ella's disappearance wasn't a dark and dangerous crime, but the relatability of the many smaller factors that *could* have caused it are precisely what makes the mystery compelling. Performance anxiety? Panic attacks? Boy trouble/embarrassment? Friendship drama? Family turmoil? Guilt? Shame? Spontaneously combusting because of too much pressure to be perfect at all the things? Every kid and teen can connect with some--if not all--of these factors. It could happen to them. It could be happening to their friend right now, and they don't know how to help them.
The main plot of Where/Why Ella Went is layered with smaller mysteries within each of the central characters' own journeys as Pug comes to understand her ADHD better and Sadie processes her past.
Altogether, Where Ella Went is another great read from the queen of Upper Middle Grade.
It was clear that Ella's disappearance wasn't a dark and dangerous crime, but the relatability of the many smaller factors that *could* have caused it are precisely what makes the mystery compelling. Performance anxiety? Panic attacks? Boy trouble/embarrassment? Friendship drama? Family turmoil? Guilt? Shame? Spontaneously combusting because of too much pressure to be perfect at all the things? Every kid and teen can connect with some--if not all--of these factors. It could happen to them. It could be happening to their friend right now, and they don't know how to help them.
The main plot of Where/Why Ella Went is layered with smaller mysteries within each of the central characters' own journeys as Pug comes to understand her ADHD better and Sadie processes her past.
Altogether, Where Ella Went is another great read from the queen of Upper Middle Grade.
May 19, 2026
Where Ella Went by Laurie Morrison, 288 pages. Amulet (Abrams), 2026. $19.
Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G (kiss mentioned); Violence: G (soccer aggression)
BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
One day Ella was there and the next day she wasn’t. The adults are telling the 8th graders that Ella is fine and she just wants privacy. But Pug, her soccer teammate, and Sadie, the new soccer girl that Ella befriended, can’t just let it go. The girls are determined to find out where Ella is and why she left so abruptly. Even if along the way they stir some other things that people just wanted to forget.
I have to agree with Pug and Sadie - the adults should know better than to tell them just to drop it. I would have done the same thing in middle school. I liked their determination - I did not like one odd coincidence in the story. I’ll say that I did not like how things ended up for Ella in her new school; Sadie deserved better.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G (kiss mentioned); Violence: G (soccer aggression)
BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
One day Ella was there and the next day she wasn’t. The adults are telling the 8th graders that Ella is fine and she just wants privacy. But Pug, her soccer teammate, and Sadie, the new soccer girl that Ella befriended, can’t just let it go. The girls are determined to find out where Ella is and why she left so abruptly. Even if along the way they stir some other things that people just wanted to forget.
I have to agree with Pug and Sadie - the adults should know better than to tell them just to drop it. I would have done the same thing in middle school. I liked their determination - I did not like one odd coincidence in the story. I’ll say that I did not like how things ended up for Ella in her new school; Sadie deserved better.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Right before the most important soccer game of the season, star-player Ella disappears in a cloud of mystery. Her team was not forewarned, instead they showed up prepared to play the game of their lives to this point, only to discover Ella is gone and all the adults are refusing to tell the rest of the team and Ella's friends why. The kids are certain Ella would never abandon their team like this and begin to investigate.
Another great story that I hope to see on future state reading award nominee lists. There is a lot to this book for middle grade readers (and adults with kids!) This book is about a young girl who is simply too busy and as too high of expectations placed on her and is trying to reach the bard of perfection that has been set. I loved the format of the book - this story is told in texts, podcast transcriptions, and journal entries. Great realistic fiction to library collections.
Another great story that I hope to see on future state reading award nominee lists. There is a lot to this book for middle grade readers (and adults with kids!) This book is about a young girl who is simply too busy and as too high of expectations placed on her and is trying to reach the bard of perfection that has been set. I loved the format of the book - this story is told in texts, podcast transcriptions, and journal entries. Great realistic fiction to library collections.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Laurie Morrison, author of Keeping Pace and Up for Air, delivers another compelling middle-grade novel with Where Ella Went. The story follows “Everything Ella,” an eighth grader who seems to do it all—student council president, star soccer player, and all-around overachiever.
When soccer season begins, Sadie, Pug, and Ella are ready for a great year. But in mid-October, Sadie opens her front door to find Ella’s soccer jersey and a note. Just like that, Ella quits the team—and then disappears from their lives, ignoring texts and calls, especially from Pug, who cannot understand how Ella could walk away from everything without explanation.
Told through text messages, letters, and podcast transcripts, the story follows the girls as they try to figure out what happened to their friend. As they search for answers, they’re forced to ask an even harder question: Does Ella want to be found?
When soccer season begins, Sadie, Pug, and Ella are ready for a great year. But in mid-October, Sadie opens her front door to find Ella’s soccer jersey and a note. Just like that, Ella quits the team—and then disappears from their lives, ignoring texts and calls, especially from Pug, who cannot understand how Ella could walk away from everything without explanation.
Told through text messages, letters, and podcast transcripts, the story follows the girls as they try to figure out what happened to their friend. As they search for answers, they’re forced to ask an even harder question: Does Ella want to be found?
April 26, 2026
Where Ella Went is a great first step into the thriller/whodunit genre for younger readers. It combines all the elements of a mystery disappearance with the coming of age friendship narratives that work well with a young adult audience.
Ella has gone. One day she was there, and the next she wasn't. And all her friends at school and soccer teammates have been told not to reach out to her or try and find out why she left. They are to just accept the new situation.
But that isn't good enough for the soccer team because they NEED Ella if they are going to win the season. How could she possibly have just abandoned them?
Not all is as it seems so Pug and Sadie set out to get to the truth.
Told in a series of journal entries, podcast transcripts and emails, Where Ella Went is an entertaining read for any age!
Ella has gone. One day she was there, and the next she wasn't. And all her friends at school and soccer teammates have been told not to reach out to her or try and find out why she left. They are to just accept the new situation.
But that isn't good enough for the soccer team because they NEED Ella if they are going to win the season. How could she possibly have just abandoned them?
Not all is as it seems so Pug and Sadie set out to get to the truth.
Told in a series of journal entries, podcast transcripts and emails, Where Ella Went is an entertaining read for any age!
October 12, 2025
I can't think of anything that would've sent me down the rabbit hole in middle school quite like a classmate and friend leaving out of nowhere and going incommunicado--with no reasonable explanation from all of the adults. That's the situation Pug and Sadie find themselves in when their well-liked teammate and classmate Ella suddenly doesn't show up for an important soccer game. Combine that premise with a story told across multiple formats -- text messages, emails, podcast recordings, etc. -- and you have the kind of compelling story that will keep a middle schooler off TikTok for the afternoon -- or this distractible grownup off Instagram! Laurie Morrison is at the top of her game with this appealing and riveting upper MG novel.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Where Ella Went is a fast-paced and emotionally honest middle grade mystery that perfectly captures the highs and lows of middle school life. I loved the epistolary format told through texts, interviews, emails, and journal entries. This format made the story feel fresh, engaging, and quick to read. The characters were well-developed and felt real, It’s clear that Laurie Morrison understands middle schoolers and all the emotions that come with that stage of life. The mix of friendship, soccer, and mystery worked really well, giving the story both heart and momentum. While the format might not work for every reader, overall this is a relatable read that feels like a modern take on a Judy Blume-style story that is perfect for upper middle grade readers who enjoy character-driven stories with a touch of suspense.
April 24, 2026
Where Ella Went is an engaging and cleverly structured middle grade mystery that combines friendship, teamwork, and emotional discovery.
Laurie Morrison uses a multimedia format texts, recordings, emails, and journal entries to create a dynamic and immersive narrative. As Sadie and Pug investigate Ella’s sudden disappearance, the story gradually reveals deeper layers of truth about their friend and themselves.
What stands out most is the balance between mystery and character growth. The evolving relationship between the two protagonists adds depth, while the realistic portrayal of middle school pressures makes the story relatable.
Smart, heartfelt, and engaging, Where Ella Went is a strong read for fans of contemporary middle grade mysteries with emotional depth.
Laurie Morrison uses a multimedia format texts, recordings, emails, and journal entries to create a dynamic and immersive narrative. As Sadie and Pug investigate Ella’s sudden disappearance, the story gradually reveals deeper layers of truth about their friend and themselves.
What stands out most is the balance between mystery and character growth. The evolving relationship between the two protagonists adds depth, while the realistic portrayal of middle school pressures makes the story relatable.
Smart, heartfelt, and engaging, Where Ella Went is a strong read for fans of contemporary middle grade mysteries with emotional depth.
May 1, 2026
Laurie Morrison’s newest novel will appeal to ALL readers, even reluctant readers, due to the short chapters and multimedia format—letters and notes, news blogs, emails, text messages, notebook musings, voice memos and recordings, parent lunchbox notes, class announcements, and poems—and the characters who come alive through these media. I was enchanted by the voices of the different characters and the multiple perspectives the formats allowed.
Eighth-grader Ella had everything going for her—or so it seemed. An overachiever, she was co-captain of the girls’ soccer team, on a Club team, a top student, and president of Student Council. Ella lived for soccer, and when she leaves school at the time of the final game of the season, everyone wonders why she left and where she went. However, this is not as much the story of WHERE Ella went as WHY Ella went. And it is the story of what Ella’s friends and frenenemies learn about each other and themselves while trying to solve the mystery.
A story of building friendships, unexpected alliances, the pressures of expectations (even self-generated expectations), middle-school drama, and self-reflection, with an array of characters, female, male, adolescent, teachers, administrators and parents (introduced on a chart at the beginning of the novel to help readers keep track), this is a novel for all middle-grade readers.
May 14, 2026
An instant all-time favorite. Multimodal books are my absolute favorite to book talk with my middle school students, but this one went beyond my expectations. It is so full of heart and personality, a love letter to Judy Blume's "Just as Long As We're Together" but so it's own thing. Burst into tears at my desk over the ending and the way it came together (connection sign, Jennifer Kimball EdD). For recovering perfectionists, soccer girls, those working hard to climb their walls, persistent best friends, the 30% who open their school newsletters. The reader I am most looking forward to sharing this with is my own soon-to-be sixth grader, to guide her on her hunt friends like Pug and Sloan, so she doesn't need to be an Everything like Ella (and, let's face it, her mom).
November 6, 2025
I absolutely love this newest book by Laurie Morrison. She is just a superstar and combining a moving coming of age story with humor. I loved Pug's spunkiness and determination, Sadie's sensitivity and poems, which really helped to distinguish their voices and the fact that they become friends thrown together by Ella's disappearance. I also think the theme of shame is well-explored from multiple angles, from the kids but also from the adults. I also felt like I knew and understood many of the secondary characters, particularly Sloane and Brayden. I can't wait for kids to read this--I think they will just devour it!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Laurie Morrison is a can't-miss author for my middle school classes -- Keeping Pace is her latest to be passed around by my students. Where Ella Went is every bit as good, but the multimedia format (and soccer theme) will pull in some of my more reluctant readers. Ella herself will also let every middle school perfectionist feel seen -- and hopefully they will be encouraged by the lengths Ella's friends went to out of concern for their friend. Laurie Morrison clearly knows middle schoolers -- I am so glad my students have her books!
Thanks to NetGalley and Amulet Books for the advance digital copy in exchange for my honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley and Amulet Books for the advance digital copy in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
thank you to netgalley for the free ARC
i really enjoyed this middle grade contemporary novel. the multi-media/epistolary format worked well, and allowed pug's voice to shine, which was one of the highlights of the book. more than just a mystery (i'd even argue that the mystery takes a backseat to some of the other plotlines at points), the novel tackles mental health, shame, and the complex social dynamics of middle school. and the ending wrapped up the story and combined plotlines, but avoided tying it neatly with a bow, giving the sense that the characters are people and their story will continue on (in a slice of life sense, not a sequel sense).
i really enjoyed this middle grade contemporary novel. the multi-media/epistolary format worked well, and allowed pug's voice to shine, which was one of the highlights of the book. more than just a mystery (i'd even argue that the mystery takes a backseat to some of the other plotlines at points), the novel tackles mental health, shame, and the complex social dynamics of middle school. and the ending wrapped up the story and combined plotlines, but avoided tying it neatly with a bow, giving the sense that the characters are people and their story will continue on (in a slice of life sense, not a sequel sense).
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
An intriguing, funny, and moving story told in epistolary format about 8th grade soccer players trying to figure out why their charismatic and perfect team captain disappeared at the beginning of the school year. The girls deal with family drama, competitiveness, jealousy, and other stressors while navigating a difficult soccer season without their star leader and new friendships and crushes. Highly recommended.
May 1, 2026
One of those books that’s just better on audio. I was really hoping this would be an emotional— almost thought provoking middle grade read and it pretty much delivered in that aspect.
I love the idea of a soccer team worried about their soccer captain when she disappears with no warning and doing everything despite adults telling them to leave it alone. It gave a found family dynamic that I love.
I love the idea of a soccer team worried about their soccer captain when she disappears with no warning and doing everything despite adults telling them to leave it alone. It gave a found family dynamic that I love.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What a fantastic book! I thoroughly enjoyed this story! I loved how the different formats for storytelling let each characters have unique ways of expressing themselves, and the (small) romance was perfect for upper middle grade. A disappearing friend would've driven me crazy, and I was as invested as finding what happened to Ella as Pug. Highly recommend!
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