Laurie Morrison is a middle school language arts teacher who lives in Philadelphia. She is the coauthor of Every Shiny Thing, and she is the author of Up for Air, Saint Ivy, Coming Up Short, and Keeping Pace. Laurie received her MFA in writing for children and young adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts.

"I finished this riveting epistolary mystery in a single sitting. Imagine if Judy Blume wrote Only Murders In the Building. Told through journal entries, podcast transcripts, texts, and narrative prose, Where Ella Went is not only the story of a star soccer player's disappearance, but also a complex, funny, and empathetic study in teen friendships, forgiveness, and mental health issues. Middle school readers won't be able to put it down."

-- "Ali Terese, National Book Award nominee and author of Free Period and Vote for the G.O.A.T"

"Readers are going to LOVE this sporty, fresh, group-told tale of friends learning to relate on and off the soccer field. It's beautifully written and laced with Laurie Morrison's trademark subtle humor. I raced through the pages to find out Where Ella Went!"

-- "Sally J. Pla, ALA Schneider Family Award-winning author of The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn"

"Laurie Morrison has crafted a smart, modern, multi-modal mystery that will truly speak to middle school readers. Where Ella Went is a brilliant page-turner of a novel with believable, messy friendships at its heart."

-- "Kate Messner, NYT Bestselling author of The Trouble with Heroes"

"Any reader looking for an intriguing mystery will become caught up in Ella's story. Laurie Morrison's pitch-perfect middle grade voice shines brilliantly in the epistolary format, and middle schoolers will find themselves cheering for Pug, Sadie and the gang. Important, brave, and compelling!"

-- "Claire Swinarski, Edgar Award-nominated author of What Happened to Rachel Riley?"

"This format allows Morrison to tell her clever, moving story from multiple perspectives, increasing reader engagement through the appealing variety of voices; the collection of peripheral characters truly make this novel stand out...Filled with witty banter, this mystery is sure to appeal to soccer fans and aspiring sleuths alike."

-- "Kirkus Reviews"

Publisher: Bound to Stay Bound Books

Pub date: 2026-04-14

Length: 304 pages