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When my mother suggested the novel The Deep End of the Ocean the first thought that ran through my head was, do not judge a book by its cover! The book presented a green cover with waves and a picture of a boy looking into a treasure chest of ocean water. Not something a teenager would normally be drawn to. But I trusted my mothers instincts and decided to read the book anyway. I was instantly drawn into the captivating theme of the book and could not find a reason good enough to put it down while I was reading it.

The novel written by Jacquelyn Mitchard can capture the interest of any reader just within the first few pages. Beth Cappadora is the mother of 2 boys, Vincent who is 5 and Ben who is 3, and a newly born baby girl, Kerry. Her and her husband Pat lead a normal life in a small town just outside of Chicago. When they decide attend Beth’s highschool reunion in the city no one is prepared for the events that would follow. The Cappadora family arrived to the hotel in Chicago and Beth was finally starting to look forward to her reunion. While she is up at the desk talking to a clerk, Ben mysteriously goes missing. Everyone in the hotel lobby is in a panic and Beth can’t help but be sick. How could she allow her child to leave her sight?

For months on end the police search for Ben who seemed to have disappeared without a trace. Candy, a friendly detective grows close to the Cappadora family and is willing to do anything to find their missing family member. Candy’s character inspires me because it is not easy for someone to feel such emotion towards someone’s child who you have never met. Yet, she perseveres towards achieving her goal of finding Ben. If everyone had as much determination and drive as Candy’s character we could all accomplish anything we set our minds too. The Cappadora family is completely torn. Pat and Beth cannot believe that with a blink of an eye their son was gone, possibly forever. Each of the family member attempts to deal with their loss in different ways. Pat takes up smoking and working long hours while Beth will not talk and lays in bed until the point of attaining sores. As for their two children, Vincent starts to get in trouble at school because of his high level of neglection from his mother. Kerry is also neglected and spends the majority of her time sleeping and playing in her crib.

For years the Cappadora family tries to cope with their loss. But one day, Beth spots a boy not even a block down the street who resembles her lost son greatly. After days of investigation, it is discovered that in fact Sam is their long lost child. Sam who is now twelve doesn’t remember the kidnapping at all and has a hard time adjusting to life back in the Cappadora house. Beth and Pat try their best to accommodate Sam, but it doesn’t seem like things are working. Will Sam ever feel like part of the family again?

Adjusting to a new life can be very difficult, especially for a child who is stuck in a confusing situation like Sam. He attempts to fit in, just to make his family happy. But sometimes it is hard to fit into a family you don’t belong in. Every family had different beliefs and do things different ways. For Sam it was like being in a whole new world. Some days I wish I could live a new life, but after considering the consequences I know that I am happy with what I was given. I couldn’t imagine being put in a situation where I would have to chose between my parents. A similar situation is divorce, kids might feel they are forced to choose between their parents. This can be a lot of pressure for one person. If I was forced to choose I would feel like I failed my family. A decision like this can break a person down emotionally and physically. No one should be forced to choose between the people they love the most.