SOLVED. Girl and single mother constantly on the move [s]

[Mercy]

I read a book in 4th or 5th grade about a girl who lived with her mother who was constantly moving from place to place. The girl was always hoping that each time they moved would be the last time. The mother told the girl why they moved, but I can't remember what the reason was. It turned out to be a fake reason. (*SPOILER ALERT*) Eventually you find out that the mother had actually kidnapped the girl when she was very little, and the two moved around a lot to avoid being caught by the police. The girl was returned to her family at the end.
I distinctly remember one scene where the girl woke up after just having moved again, and the girl, who was the narrator, specifically described the sunlight streaming in through a window. I doubt that will help to find this book, but since I remember it I thought I might as well write it down.

[Lisa]

Mercy, I'm glad that you added the spoiler because up until then I was thinking of one book, but reading the spoiler made me realize I don't know this book. I hope others here do and that you find the book. It sounds good.

[Janna]

Ahhh I read that book, too... or at least a book with the same plot... but now I can't think of the name. It was a young adult book, right?

[Mercy]

Yes, it was a young adult book.

[Janna]

Well, I hope someone can find it because it's driving me crazy now! I tried looking online for about an hour with no luck.

I think it was published about 6-10 years ago?

[Mercy]

That sounds about right. I read it about four years ago but it wasn't too recently published at the time.

[Ann aka Iftcan]

Hum, I'm sure you have checked out the The Face on the Milk Carton series? There are a number of books with a similar premise.

[Mercy]

I did look at that series, but in the first book the girl has two parents, but I clearly remember a single mother being the kidnapper.

[Jenna]

I don't think they moved around that much in Face on the Milk Carton either. (Now I am going to have to go read that book and watch the TV movie again!)

[Ann aka Iftcan]

Jenna--the movie was actually a compilation of the books that make up the series. There are at least 2 books in it. Both were very good.

And I didn't really think it was that series, but thought I'd throw it out and try to get something started for you Mercy.

[Mercy]

Seeing a The Face on the Milk Carton mentioned in an article is what sparked my interest in finding the book I had read before because of the somewhat similar plot lines. I appreciate your help, Ann.

[Dorothy]

I don't recall the name, either, but may be able to add some detail. I don't recall the the girl had turned out to be kidnapped, but a girl the same age, moving frequently. The mother drove an old convertable, her purse was always cluttered, she put on airs. When a realtor was showing them a house, that the girl knew they couldn't aford and would never live in, the mom said "the appointments" were lovely.I think the mom had aspirations of acting, maybe headed to L.A. Could this be the same book?

[Lisa]

Well, the book I first thought of from the first post, except the daughter wasn't kidnapped, is Anywhere but Here by Mona Simpson. That probably isn't the book/one of the books you're thinking of, but I'll throw it out there just in case.

[Lisa]

Lisa wrote: "Well, the book I first thought of from the first post, except the daughter wasn't kidnapped, is Anywhere but Here by Mona Simpson. That probably isn't the book/one of ..." ETA: Nope; I guess not. I'm remembering better and I think they moved just to L.A. in this book.

[Mercy]

Dorothy, I think that is the same book, those details sound familiar.

[Dorothy]

Yes, that was "Anywhere but Here". Thanks, Lisa.

[Mercy]

Or I suppose Dorothy's and my books aren't the same...Anywhere but Here doesn't sound like the book I'm thinking of.

[Lisa]

Mercy, No, it doesn't sound like your book. Hopefully, someone will recognize your book and you'll find it again.

[Lindsey]

Maybe Amazing Gracie by A.E. Cannon?

[Mercy]

Thanks for your help, Lindsey, but I don't believe Amazing Gracie is it, in my book I'm pretty sure there were no siblings.

[Clare]

I remember that as being the plot of "Taking Terri Mueller" by Norma Fox Mazerbut in that book it was her father who kidnapped her, and claimed her mother had died in a car crash. Kind of a long shot but I thought I'd mention it.

[mdt]

A similar question came up in another book forum and the answer was Where It Stops Nobody Knows by Amy Ehrlich, also published under the title Joyride.

Maybe it's the same book you're looking for?

[Lisa]

mdt, That sounds promising. Mercy, I'm interested to know if this is your book. Another one might be making its way onto my Mt. TBR.

[Mercy]

mdt, that is indeed my book! Thanks so much for finding it. I'm so excited to have that book again!
Thanks to everyone who helped try to find this book.

[Eyrie]

I think you and me are looking for the same book.

remember it being about a girl and her single mom always moving around a lot. And whenever they come to a new town they would go to a library and choose their new names from a random book. One day the girl’s mom goes missing and the police find the girl and ask her about all the drivers licenses in her moms purse. And that is all. Plz help!

P. S.
In one chapter the girl is having a birthday party and her mom isn't big on birthdays. She has a guy friend who gives her a guitar and that is when mom leaves

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Eyrie, this thread was already solved (see message 22).

[Vishaka]

Eyrie wrote: "I think you and me are looking for the same book.

remember it being about a girl and her single mom always moving around a lot. And whenever they come to a new town they would go to a library and ..."

Where the Stars Still Shine

here's the book