A hamster that hangs out with a snake? Someone who gets paid to hug pandas? It may sound fantastical, but as the Stranger Than Fiction series attests, sometimes the truth is just weird. In short, straightforward sentences geared toward struggling and low-level readers, the series presents a high-interest, easily digestible look at some of the more curious aspects of our world. Mysterious Vanishings addresses the disappearances of both individuals (Amelia Earhart, D. B. Cooper) and groups (the Lost Colony of Roanoke, the Sodder children). The high/low text can sometimes feel extremely abbreviated, and the illustrations consist primarily of stock photos. Still, this is accessible for a wide range of reading levels, the high-interest topics will spur further research, and questions at the end of each volume prompt further thought.