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Vanished: Safe House / Sanctuary

(1-800-Where-R-You #3 & 4 )

Meg Cabot (Goodreads Author)

4.32 · Rating details · 2,535 ratings · 91 reviews

Ever since Jess was struck by lightning, she’s had the power to find missing people. And everyone wants a piece of her powers....

In Safe House, Jess and her psychic abilities are being blamed for the murder of Amber, a beloved cheerleader. But when more cheerleaders start disappearing, Jess may be able to save her reputation by finding the murderer—before it’s too late.

...more

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Paperback, 507 pages

Published June 28th 2011 by Simon Pulse (first published January 4th 2011)

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Start your review of Vanished: Safe House / Sanctuary (Vanished, #3-4)

Apr 15, 2011 Karen Keyte rated it really liked it

Shelves: teen-girls-adventure-mystery

I am a huge fan of Meg Cabot in general, and of this series in particular. Jess Mastriani is probably my favorite fictional heroine. She's sassy. smart and not afraid to throw a punch when the occasion calls for it - although she is working on that anger management thing. These books crackle with wit and humor, yet the mysteries are fully developed and intriguing. Don't miss them.

SAFE HOUSE
It's not really Jess Mastriani's fault that she didn't know Amber Mackey was dead. After spending most of I am a huge fan of Meg Cabot in general, and of this series in particular. Jess Mastriani is probably my favorite fictional heroine. She's sassy. smart and not afraid to throw a punch when the occasion calls for it - although she is working on that anger management thing. These books crackle with wit and humor, yet the mysteries are fully developed and intriguing. Don't miss them.

SAFE HOUSE
It's not really Jess Mastriani's fault that she didn't know Amber Mackey was dead. After spending most of the summer herding musical prodigies and Camp Wawasee, Jess spent the last two weeks before school started with her best friend's family at the Michigan dunes. How could she have heard that her classmate had been found strangled to death at a local hangout in the limestone quarry? If Amber's death is shocking to Jess, she is even more stunned to find out that most of her classmates at Ernie Pyle High School blame her for the tragedy. First of all, as far as most of the world knows, Jess has lost her psychic ability to find people (gained after being struck by lightning the previous spring). More importantly, how could she have found Amber when she didn't even know she was missing?

When Jess' old friends (and with friends like these, who needs enemies) Special Agents Johnson and Smith take a sudden interest in Amber's football quarterback boyfriend, Mark Leskowski, he and Jess do some bonding over their mutual dislike for federal law enforcement. When another cheerleader goes missing, the rest of the pompon wavers turn to Jess for help. If she can just figure out a way to find the missing girl without tipping the Feds to the fact that she still has her powers, Jess will be able to exonerate Mark, placate the cheerleaders, and assure herself a place with the in-crowd.

This third book in Meg Cabot's 1-800-Where-R-You series is just as good as, if not better than, the two that preceded it. Jess is a scrappy heroine, fiercely loyal to her family and friends and lovable despite her tendency to throw punches first and ask questions later. The story is a solid, quick-paced mystery with enough twists to keep you guessing throughout. The real strength of this book though, as with any Meg Cabot novel, is the dialogue. Sharp and funny, Jess's voice leaps off the page. Makes sure you have book four of this series, Sanctuary, on hand. You'll want to get started as soon as you finish this one.

SANCTUARY
Jess Mastriani, 'Lightning Girl' and heroine of three previous novels (When Lightning Strikes, Code Name Cassandra and Safe House) is back - and this time she's facing a truly evil foe. After thwarting a murderer at her own Ernie Pyle High School, Jess knows she's not going to be able to keep the Feds off her back for much longer. Even though they can't have any tangible proof, it's a given that the FBI agents who seem to haunt her every step know that Jess has been lying about losing her freaky psychic powers. Still, it's hard to lay low when danger waltzes into your own neighborhood.

Nate Thompson and his sister are the only African-American students at Ernie Pyle, but Nate doesn't seem to have any problem fitting in. There has certainly been nothing to suggest that Nate has made enemies. Nate, who happens to be Jess's neighbor, goes missing on Thanksgiving evening, but since he's just a little late coming home with some whipped cream, Jess figures she doesn't have to do 'the woo-woo thing' to find him. Then Nate turns up dead in a cornfield with a strange symbol carved into his chest and Jess feels both horrified and horribly guilty. Could she have saved Nate if she had tried to use her psychic powers as soon as she knew he was late getting home?

When the local synagogue is burned and a twelve-year-old Jewish boy turns up missing, it becomes starkly obvious that something very ugly is happening in Jess's hometown. If the crimes are connected, and how could they not be, then Jess has got to find Seth Blumenthal before the hatred and violence escalate even further.

The 1-800-Where-R-You series (of which this is the fourth book), is classic Meg Cabot. The heroine is sharp and feisty and the supporting cast is memorable. It is possible to read any of these books as a stand alone but you'll enjoy them so much more if you read them in order. ...more

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Apr 18, 2011 Jennifer Rayment rated it it was amazing

The Good Stuff

* Jessica is one of my favorite literary characters. She's spunky, snarky, funny, and a huge heart
* Love her relationship with her friends and family is is very true and honest
* Great storyline in both books - funny, exciting with lots of twists and turns and funny as hell quips by Jess
* A little more dark (nothing too dark tho) than the first two stories, which gives it a bit more of an edge
* Just go get a copy of this (and Vanished Books One and Two) you will fall in love ...more

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Sep 25, 2018 Natalie rated it liked it

Shelves: read-in-2018

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Aug 01, 2018 Lauren Baptista rated it really liked it

Again, this story is nothing short of sassy and witty remarks from our gem, Jess. And not to mention, the action that is so perfectly sprinkled throughout the book. Definitely need to read for this great series!

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May 13, 2013 Stephanie A. Weeks rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2013-reads, young-adult

This is a GREAT series. Like, hats off to Meg Cabot.

Plot/Overall Impression
The plot kept me very much in the book, similar to Code Name Cassandra & When Lightning Strikes. These plots were more involved, more dangerous than the first two, and the ending of Sanctuary kept me ON MY TOES IT WAS SO GOOD. I was very much into this book and would sit down and read 100 pages at a time, which is saying something for me. (I'm not a slow reader but I can't sit down and read a ton of pages in one ...more

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Oct 16, 2011 Sarah rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: Teenage Girls and women

Recommended to Sarah by: Kari

Shelves: 2011-2012-school-year

Book 3: Safe House

Safe House is the third installment in the Vanished/1-800-WHERE-R-YOU series. Jess gets home from a vacation to fins that the head cheerleader is dead? Why? How? Before they have any time to answer any of these questions, another girl turns up missing. Will they be able to save her? Will they be able to find out who? This is a fast paced book that has a good plot and an oddly charming main character.

Book 4: Sanctuary

Sanctuary is the fourth book in the ...more

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May 05, 2017 Alayne Williams rated it really liked it

I love the main characters trope of being a badass. She is an overall good person who rough houses not for herself but for the sake of others, and of course to remind people that karma is the name of her fist and she isn't afraid to smash it in your face. She does whatever it takes to make things happen, to help people, and to get what she wants.

It was great watching her mentally mature considering the first books consist of her always getting into fights, being a tomboy and mostly thinking of I love the main characters trope of being a badass. She is an overall good person who rough houses not for herself but for the sake of others, and of course to remind people that karma is the name of her fist and she isn't afraid to smash it in your face. She does whatever it takes to make things happen, to help people, and to get what she wants.

It was great watching her mentally mature considering the first books consist of her always getting into fights, being a tomboy and mostly thinking of herself(with the exception of Douglas, she always thought of her brother which was hella sweet) and she slowly transitions into "oh i want to dress more feminine to impress this guy I like, I'm trying to control my anger and not fight anymore, and I do things to help other people rather than just myself."

I think the only downside of this whole story I did not like was the romance involved. Don't get me wrong(spoiler alert, spoilers will be striked out) I could care less about the age difference. My problem is the reversal of 'no means no'. When a girl says no to a guy, but the guy keeps persisting, calling himself her boyfriend, and finding every excuse to drive by her house to glimpse at her or to talk to her... that's not considered romantic, it's considered creepy. So why should this be an exception if the girl is behaving this way towards the guy? He said no on multiple occassions but her being 'maddllyyyy' in love with him persisted and continued to try and get with him.

(spoiler alert some more)I don't like that they got together in the end. I liked the idea of her respecting him not wanting to date her. I like that they overcame this whole "Cuz youre a townie and I'm a grit' thing because that shouldn't stop a relationship, friendly or romantic. but the fact that he was not interested does not mean to try and MAKE him interested. and yes he slowly fell in love with her for other reasons but I just feel like it was cringy this turned into a cliche story of "the girl insists so why not".

All in all, great book. I've only ever read two series of Meg Cabot's, I'm noticing a pattern of main characters being this young, tough, brown haired white skinned rich family heroine who just doesn't fit in/has something about them that no one else does. Who knows though, as writers we all insert a piece of ourselves into our works. Maybe she's implying something. <3 ...more

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Feb 24, 2018 Gina Clabo rated it really liked it

Both these books had a great storyline loved it but seemed to long even though there are 2 books in one I feel it could have still been shorter.. I feel like the proofreaders should have been paying attention to the mistakes throughout these books and it got to immature in some parts... recommend to 15 and up does have some cuss words but overall not many, like a lot of other teen books I have encountered.. Cute and was fun to read..Jess was most definitely the best Sassy character I have seen ...more

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May 05, 2018 Carrie rated it really liked it

I really enjoyed this series. It’s a fun read. Don’t take it too seriously just sit back and enjoy the ride, on the back of a motorcycle

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Jul 19, 2018 Mellanie C rated it really liked it

I didn't love these two stories as much as I loved the first two, but I still enjoyed them enough to make sure I ordered the last book, which should be here any time now.

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Oct 27, 2019 Kareenah E rated it really liked it

Safe house: Upon return from summer vacation, Jessica is once again in the spotlight. being blamed for something in which she had no control of, she is set out on a personal mission to find the person responsible and also to learn the truth.

Sanctuary: the town that Jessica lives in, is in total shock when her neighbor's son was kidnapped and murdered, Jess, somehow stumbled up on the crime scene and saw a symbol that was craved in the chest of the dead boy. Then another boy was kidnapped, and a ...more

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Mar 12, 2017 Claudia Marie rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy, fiction, 2017, romance, young-adult

Stars: 4.5/5
Wow even better than the first two books!
I love the relationship between Jess and... everybody. I love her internal monologue and I love her confidence.
She's empowering and loveable.
This series is addicting and so easy to read. It just flows and makes you think. The characters are so loveable and interesting. All are unique.
I would recommend to any 14-16 year old female (although I don't objectify) who wants a fantastic heroine and a touch of science fiction with teen fiction.

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Jul 01, 2011 Laura Martinelli rated it really liked it

Shelves: young-adult, meg-cabot, own, library-reread

Safe House: Much like the Mediator series, Vanished/1800WhereRU focuses more on character development before progressing with its main plot. There’s a little bit of leeway toward that direction particularly near the end of this book, but again, this is another volume of character development.

I like the set-up in this. It’s interesting to see what happens when a missing person is someone Jess saw/sees on a near-daily basis and not to be informed of it until it’s too late to save them. There’s a Safe House: Much like the Mediator series, Vanished/1800WhereRU focuses more on character development before progressing with its main plot. There’s a little bit of leeway toward that direction particularly near the end of this book, but again, this is another volume of character development.

I like the set-up in this. It’s interesting to see what happens when a missing person is someone Jess saw/sees on a near-daily basis and not to be informed of it until it’s too late to save them. There’s a real sense of frustration from everyone around her and her own self-consciousness. There’s also the fact that Jess really is in danger, and the killers know what will hurt her the most. She tries her best to keep protecting her family, particularly her brother Douglas, but knows that it’s not the easiest of jobs. The only change in her character in this is that I’m not completely a fan of Jess becoming more girly to improve her image and her temperament. There’s nothing wrong with being a tomboy, and aside from a few mentions of wardrobe, I don’t see how being more girly is deferment to standing up for yourself and your loved ones.

As for her romance with Rob, it’s equal parts entertaining and frustrating. I like that Rob really wants to be with Jess, but his current probation and her being underage is enough for him to tone it down. I like that they both admit their mutual feelings to each other, but the circumstances mean that they have to stick it out for a little while longer. The frustrating part comes from the whole Grit/Townie situation that arcs throughout the series. Jess’s avoidance of introducing Rob to her family comes off as more wishy-washy, and I wished that she would just get over it.

I like this a lot better than the second book, if only because it gets deeper inside of Jess’s head and how she reacts when a missing-person case hits close to home, in more ways than one. There is a small advancement in the plot, but aside from setting up the last arc, there’s really not much conflict to drive the story forward.

Sanctuary: Like Safe House, the main plot of Sanctuary focuses on when the reality of what Jess does hits very close to home. She’s not as familiar with the Thompkins or Seth Blumenthal, but she still has to live up to a lot of people’s expectations in order to solve everything.

I’m not as big of a fan of Dr. Krantz in this. He seems to be more of the meddling bureaucrat type, rather than having a natural affinity with Jess like Smith and Johnson had. I would have liked to have seen more of him, in particular, trying harder to get Jess to join his special team of psychics.

The True Americans plot that drives the main mystery—it’s a little unsettling to read. The problem with Jess being that narrator is that she snarks her way through a situation, and it diffuses a lot of the tension, almost to the point of being overkill. (Like repeatedly mentioning how short Jim Henderson is.) However, the fact that people like the True Americans exist and given current events in the last few years (I won’t name specifics), it’s unsettling to read this book and remember that there’s not teen psychics taking these guys out. There’s also the whole topic of class prejudice brought to a point in this book as well, given the town’s attitude toward Grits and how they’re looked down on. It can border on the anvilicious, but at the same time, it does feel realistic in regards to the characters.

I like the book, even if it ends abruptly. It’s a darker turn from the rest of the series, but still manages to keep Jess’s personality in check.
...more

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Sep 26, 2014 Cyn rated it it was amazing

Shelves: own

The first four books were put into 2 volumes and at the same time they were given a different series title —Vanished.

Let me tell you a story about a girl, maybe even a sort of hero, Jess Mastriani. She's quick with her fists —there is never any doubt about that— and that often leads her to trouble; usually in the form of another week of detention. More than that though, Jess is a loyal, quick witted, kind, just and hardworking girl and even now that I am older than her, I still look up to her ...more

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Mar 12, 2012 Kristin Miranda rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 7th-grade-2011-2012, favorites

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Apr 17, 2014 stephanie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2014, sac-pub-library, alphabet-ya-challenge-2014, would-rec, series, young-adult

so, the second books are even better because the stakes on the mysteries are even higher. plus, ROB. (yes, there are stars in my eyes.) he's the typical bad boy, except he's not. he's protective without trying to change who jess is and what she does, but he still asks the hard questions and . . . i just love it.

safe house was really kind of creepy, with how close everything was. i liked the development of jess as "popular" and the spunk and sass, and DOUGLAS, are just awesome.

sanctuary was ...more

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Oct 25, 2011 Kaitlyn is currently reading it

After finishing Water for Elephants, I am now currently on page 182 of Vanished: Safe House & Sanctuary. During the first pages of the book we learn about Jessica's temper and how ever since she got strunk by lightning in the first books, she had been able to tell where missing people are. Because of the media, she's been hiding the fact that she still has her powers. However, when her classmates begin to disappear, she's accused of being involved. Her only chance to clear her name is to use ...more

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Mar 14, 2015 Mel rated it really liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Feb 05, 2014 Renae rated it really liked it

Just have to say I love the way this book is written :-)
Book one.
After Jess having a boring time on vaccation with Ruth's family that she would be happy to be back home. Only thing is that school started back the following day and she had missed the news that a fellow student was kidnapped and murdered. Which has Karen, the opposite of a friend, telling people that Jess can still find people...making everyone blame Jess for not being contactable when she went missing. Unfortunately things only ...more

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Apr 13, 2012 Carolyn rated it really liked it

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Sep 30, 2014 Taylor Kuehl rated it it was amazing

This book really sent chills down my spine. It is action packed and it is full of crazy, chilling events! A young adult named Jessica (Jess for short) gets struck by lightning one day. She then develops physic powers and helps find missing people. But when her classmates Amber and Heather go missing can she use her powers? Jess ends up finding out who abducted these girls and its a shocking discovery!
I loved this book from beginning to end! I couldn't put the book down once I began reading it. ...more

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Nov 15, 2011 Jojo rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, on-my-nook-shelf, need-to-buy, favorites, 2012-read, in-a-series

The series is awesome and these two books add so much to it all. Jess is back and in full form. She is witty, and fun and ready for the world. Or so she thinks. I love Jess, she is such a great character. Rob is also back, a high school graduate, working in his Uncle's garage. Book 4, Sanctuary, is my favorite in the series so far. It was so actioned packed and suspenseful. I finished it in a few short hours. I can't wait to read the final book in the series. My only issues was with whom ever ...more

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Jan 26, 2011 Natasha A. rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2011, ya

Who do I recommend to?
YA lovers (and younger even).
Want a quick and simple read?
I definitely recommend reading the first two books first!!

Why did I read it?
I was very intrigued by the blurb. I greatly enjoyed the first two.

My Rambles:

I love these books just as much as I loved the first two!! I think that these are great books for young girls. It really does teach the value of helping others, and how that makes you feel as a person. Meg Cabot has done a remarkable job with these. I can't wait to ...more

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Jun 18, 2011 Sandra Strange rated it liked it

Shelves: fantasy, young-adult, chick-books

I liked the premise: a girl struck by lightning now dreams the locations of missing persons, and brings down upon her hostility, government interest, and lots of jeopardy. The plotting is engrossing and the characterization is typically Cabot, but because she's aiming at teens and is trying to capture typical teen antiauthority, she makes her protagonist and friends talk lots of trash, with sexual references and concerns (though no explicit sex) and lots of profanity. I liked the stories enough ...more

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May 20, 2011 Paige rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favourite, drama

All I can say is ...wow. I'm a big fan of Meg Cabot but this, this book is amazing. Loved it. I was hoping there'd be a third book (Stories 5 & 6) continuing about Jess's new job and her relationship with Rob but oh well. I just love the way the stories tie together in this an how it explains why the story is being written as normally in a first-person book you would just assume that the person is thinking to themselves (more or less). Very creative and I've never read a story quite like it. ...more

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Jun 09, 2011 Joanna Karaplis rated it liked it

Shelves: young-adult

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Aug 12, 2013 Kelly rated it liked it

Sadly this book failed to my expectations after the first book. In my opinion it was too predictable. It sure was not the worst , still a good read , but it was hard to finish this book for the reason that I believe some things could have been changed. I do recommend reading the first book because I do think its a great read but I do believe that this book didn't hit the mark. I do on the other hand love her other series , not saying that just because I did not like this book in particular that ...more

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Oct 16, 2011 Jess rated it it was amazing

So I'm guessing that the title that I don't recognize is because Cabot re-named her series for re-release, but this set was originally called the 1-800-WhereRU series, and it is a great one. You root for Jess and every single other person and you cannot put the book down until you know the answers to all of your questions. Not to mention, Cabot has real talent penning honest and true relationships.

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Jan 13, 2016 Tiffany Ransier rated it it was amazing

I've always been a fan of Jess. These books were even better than the first two. Rob is dreamy and you can't help feeling frustrated that he isn't sure if him and Jess will work out. Don't worry though, what you seek happens in the last page. I'm so glad a sequel was written for this book. I can't wait to read the last book in the series. I wish there was more than one book left. These books are just too good.

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Dec 25, 2011 Ashley Logan rated it it was amazing

Fast paced and very good. I enjoyed the first two in this series, but the third and fourth are a step up still.

I have to admit though, I was afraid more than once for Rob's life. I seem to have this curse where my favorite character always seems to die. Thank goodness for the fifth book. Knowing that he's in that one too gave me confidence that he lives.

...That and my reading the last sentence of the last ten chapters...

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About Meg Cabot

Meg Cabot

30,318 followers

Librarian note: AKA Jenny Carroll (1-800-Where-R-You series), AKA Patricia Cabot (historical romance novels).

Meg Cabot was born on February 1, 1967, during the Chinese astrological year of the Fire Horse, a notoriously unlucky sign. Fortunately she grew up in Bloomington, Indiana, where few people were aware of the stigma of being a fire horse -- at least until Meg became a teenager, when she Librarian note: AKA Jenny Carroll (1-800-Where-R-You series), AKA Patricia Cabot (historical romance novels).

Meg Cabot was born on February 1, 1967, during the Chinese astrological year of the Fire Horse, a notoriously unlucky sign. Fortunately she grew up in Bloomington, Indiana, where few people were aware of the stigma of being a fire horse -- at least until Meg became a teenager, when she flunked freshman Algebra twice, then decided to cut her own bangs. After six years as an undergrad at Indiana University, Meg moved to New York City (in the middle of a sanitation worker strike) to pursue a career as an illustrator, at which she failed miserably, forcing her to turn to her favorite hobby--writing novels--for emotional succor. She worked various jobs to pay the rent, including a decade-long stint as the assistant manager of a 700 bed freshmen dormitory at NYU, a position she still occasionally misses.

She is now the author of nearly fifty books for both adults and teens, selling fifteen million copies worldwide, many of which have been #1 New York Times bestsellers, most notably The Princess Diaries series, which is currently being published in over 38 countries, and was made into two hit movies by Disney. In addition, Meg wrote the Mediator and 1-800-Where-R-You? series (on which the television series, Missing, was based), two All-American Girl books, Teen Idol, Avalon High, How to Be Popular, Pants on Fire, Jinx, a series of novels written entirely in email format (Boy Next Door, Boy Meets Girl, and Every Boy's Got One), a mystery series (Size 12 Is Not Fat/ Size 14 Is Not Fat Either/Big Boned), and a chick-lit series called Queen of Babble.

Meg is now writing a new children's series called Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls. Her new paranormal series, Abandon, debuts in Summer of 2011.

Meg currently divides her time between Key West, Indiana, and New York City with a primary cat (one-eyed Henrietta), various back-up cats, and her husband, who doesn't know he married a fire horse. Please don't tell him.

Series:
* Airhead
* The Princess Diaries
* Mediator
...more