Author(s): Eve Ainsworth
Publisher: Scholastic UK
Publication date: Out now
When Alfie Turner loses his mum, it feels like his world is falling apart. She was the glue that held their family together and, now that she’s gone, Alfie and his dad don’t really know how to be a family without her. And then Alfie meets Alice. Alice is a force of nature and has her own set of problems, but at least when Alfie’s with her he can forget about his. Or can he? Because no matter how hard you run, life will always catch up in the end.
Despite everything holding them back, together Alfie and Alice learn two things: that friendship can help dig you out of even the blackest hole, and that it’s not the falling down that matters, it’s the getting back up.
Enormously heartfelt and insightful, this fiercely uplifting novel is Eve Ainsworth at her best.
I was fortunate enough to hear Eve Ainsworth speak about her forthcoming book, Magpie, whilst as the Scholastic Showcase in February. I grabbed a copy of Lost whilst I was there and I’m so glad I did.
Although the word ‘important‘ is not very exciting, Lost is a very important book. It’s a sad fact that many children will experience loss and grief, and Lost explores the heartbreaking and confusing time it is for children and adults.
The book alternates between Alfie’s past, walking us through his relationship with this mum and her illness, and his present, meeting Alice and his relationship with his dad now his mum has died.
Alice has her own problems, which are revealed as the book moves along. She and Alfie find themselves thrown together in their unhappiness and whilst they don’t always see eye to eye, they do find comfort and support in each other.
The absolute best bit for me in this book is Alfie’s dad and his perspective of his dad. I swung between feeling desperately sorry for him and pure rage at how he is dealing with Alfie in the midst of his grief. I loved, however, that ultimately the message is that he’s human, he doesn’t have all the answers, and not all of us know how to deal with our emotions.
Lost is for everyone and anyone but I would particularly like to see this book available to children and teenagers in schools and support services so those who are going through difficult times can feel represented and know what they feel is normal.
Sometimes what we need in times of grief is to know what we’re feeling is OK.
Powerful, emotional, and much-needed, Lost is breaking down barriers.
Many thanks to Scholastic UK for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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Wishing you a wonderfully bookish week,
Roachie's Reviews 