What is the author's purpose in the novel, Taking Terri Mueller?

The author said that she wrote this book because she found out that 25,000 children a year are stolen by non-custodial parents and that most of them will never see their mothers again: I was not only saddened by this bleak statistic, I was also startled and fascinated that in the name of love adults would deprive their children not only of a parent but of family and friends, community and stability. I wrote this book for both adults and children. First, because it's a story I think everyone can connect to; and second—as in all my writing for young people—to say, "Okay, life is not easy, but don't despair. There is strength inside you."