The Lovely and the Lost

Gr 7 Up–Kira’s adopted mom, Cady, is famous in the world of search-and-rescue, and Kira herself is a rising star. So when Cady’s estranged father shows up to beg for his daughter’s help finding a missing girl, Cady feels obligated. Kira, her foster brother Jude, their friend Free, and the dogs they train pack up and head to Cady’s hometown where it appears that everyone is hiding a secret, especially a boy who seems to know much more than he is willing to share. As time passes and the search becomes more desperate, Kira finds herself battling painful memories of when she was a child lost in the woods. Barnes sensitively addresses Kira’s childhood trauma, as well as her resulting anxiety. In addition, thoughtful research into the world of search-and-rescue will leave animal lovers in awe of the canine heroes in this book, and the twist-heavy, suspenseful plot will keep reluctant readers tuned in. However, Kira’s first-person exposition at the beginning of the book leaves many of the characters underdeveloped.