The Search is the ninth book in the Left Behind: The Kids series, by Jerry B. Jenkins, Tim LaHaye, with contributions from Chris Fabry. It was originally released in July of 2000. This novella along with three others were later released in the compilation volume, Hidden (Left Behind: The Kids).

Plot introduction

Synopsis retrieved from back of the book.

As World War III erupts, the young Trib Force loses one of the most important people to them in the world. Also, Judd Thompson Jr., Vicki Byrne, Lionel Washington, and their friends set on a desperate search for Ryan Daley.

The book continues as the Young Tribulation Force attempts a rescue before another air attack by the Global Community. In the process the kids face new dangers and encounter a top Global Community official.

Characters in The Search

Original Members of The Young Tribulation Force

• Judd Thompson Jr.
• Vicki Byrne
• Lionel Washington
• Ryan Daley

Other Members of The Young Tribulation Force

• John Preston (voice)
• Chaya Stein
• Darrion Stahley (first appearance, becomes a believer)

Other Believers

• Maxwell Stahley (becomes a believer, first appearance, death)
• Nina Ben-Judah (voice)
• Louise Stahley (becomes a believer, first appearance)
• Buck Williams
• Bruce Barnes (flashback)
• Josey Fogarty (voice)
• Donny Moore

Global Community

• Cornelius "Corny" Van Waylin (only appearance, death)
• Unnamed gunman beneath the L tracks
• Nicolae Jetty Carpathia

Unbelievers

• Carl (death, only appearance)
• Unnamed short kidnapper (death, only appearance)
• Tom Fogarty (voice)

POVs

• Ryan Daley
• Judd Thompson Jr.
• Vicki Byrne
• Lionel Washington

Trivia

• First appearance of Maxwell Stahley.
• Death of Maxwell Stahley.
• First appearance of Darrion Stahley. She becomes a believer and joins The Young Tribulation Force.
• First appearance of Louise Stahley.
• Only appearance of Cornelius Van Waylin.
• Only appearance of Carl.
• The only book where John Preston appears without Mark Eisman, although only John's voice is heard.
• This book marks the last time Judd Thompson Jr. would speak to Nina Ben-Judah, due to Nina's confirmed death in book 10.
• The only book in the series and in the entire Left Behind universe in which Nina Ben-Judah appears without her brother Dan Ben-Judah, although only Nina's voice is heard.
• The only book in the series after book 4 in which Shelly Malloy isn't written about at all.
• The first book since book 4 in which Nicolae Carpathia High School is not seen.
• The first book since book 4 in which Laverne Jenness does not make an appearance.
• The first book since the fourth book that Coach Greg Handlesman does not appear.
• This is the only book between the fourth book and the fourteenth book in which Nicolae Carpathia High School is not written about.
• In the dramatic audio presentation, LeRoy Banks is seen interacting with Chuck and making a plea deal. This would be the last time Banks is seen in the series according to the dramatic audio presentation.

Deaths

• Carl
• Unnamed short kidnapper
• Gerald Fitzhugh (confirmed)
• Maxwell Stahley
• Cornelius Van Waylin ("Corny")