The Mysterious Disappearance of Leon (I mean Noel) by Ellen Raskin 3 stars

[Rachel N.]

Caroline Fish is married to Leon Carillon at age 5 to connect their families in their production of their Pomato soup. Caroline then doesn't see Leon again until she turns 18 when they meet up and take a boat ride where they capsize and Leon, now called Noel, tries to give Mrs. Carillon, as the main character is now called, a message. Noel disappears and Mrs. Carillon spends the rest of the book trying to find him while trying to figure out his message. Along the way she adopts twins Tony and Tina. I don't think I ever read this as a child though the illustrations look very familiar. The story is definitely odd and the message once it's decoded isn't that exciting. Not the best book Raskin wrote but I'm glad I finally read it.

[NancyJ]

Haha I was so confused until I realized this was a children's book. One of my boys was married that young too, lol, though I can't remember the girl's name. I wish he'd remarry because I want to be a grandmother and read books like this to my grandkids.

[Rachel N.]

It's kind of a strange book because somehow the kids marriage is legal. I just went with it as unlikely as that would be.