The Lost & Found

Gr 7–10—Louis and Frannie, two teens who meet in an online support group for trauma survivors, have an odd tendency to lose things—in the trunk of a car, off their desks when their backs are turned, and in other bewildering ways. Though they only know each other through the web—they don't even use their real names—they each receive a package in the mail that has them taking off on a road trip to Texas to find each other. This is a beautiful exploration of loss in many forms and the emotional toll it can take on those who are affected. Quirky, endearing, and believable characters propel a narrative that pulls readers in with every mile of the road trip. The unusual aspect of disappearing objects plays wonderfully into the story, and, rather than being a distraction, it serves as a driving force that expands the deeper themes. Strong and multilayered characterization adds complexity and authenticity to the storytelling. There is a subtle examination of the healing benefits of therapy, and readers will come away with the knowledge that people are much more than they appear.