The Lost Girl audiobook

Powerful story about sisterhood, twinhood, girlhood. I highly recommend this to all readers, regardless of age or gender, because of what it has to say about growing up, finding yourself, and being independent vs. knowing when you need help.

This was WONDERFUL. Beautifully written and emotional and I could relate with Iris so MUCH for taking care and worrying about her sister to the point of forgetting about her own health

Amazing. Captivating. Distinguished.

Review by 11yo Novalee : )Did you know that a character in The Lost Girl is named after me? She only shows up for a chapter, but she is kick-butt! (I refuse to swear here). Novalee, a member of the Camp Awesome, that Iris’s mom makes Iris join. And with me in it, Camp Awesome is not ironic at all. It really lives up to its name now!!! I was like, YASSSS Queen : )The novel, The Lost Girl, by Anne Ursu, was an outstanding book about two twins sisters, named Iris and Lark, who do absolutely everything together. But, as the next grade starts, for the first time ever,the dynamic duo are separated in classes. Iris, who is forever looking out for Lark is angry, and as she realizes to herself that Lark won’t be okay on her own, she swears to herself that she will protect her sister, whatever it takes.The first thing about the book that I loved was the character development. Iris, smart, firm, intent, and it feels like part of her is gone when Lark isn’t around. Lark, the dreamer, artist, shy, and she sees things that others do not. These characters and their personalities were what the whole story revolves around. Iris, with her determination to help her sister do well, even if her sister doesn’t need it, or when Lark, the carefree soul, sees things in a different way than people like. These are the kinds of things that hold the story up.I also liked the suspense. Seriously, the suspense in this book kept me up at night. Not kidding. In the story, objects are going missing, and nothing can be explained. Lark’s bracelet, for instance, her most valued possession, went missing, as well as a number of other things. As the story goes on, theories begin to arise from different perspectives of the reader. And, at the same time, Iris and Lark are in a fight, and Iris feels as though Lark would be better off without her, so the reader is also anticipating on how this will play out. The relationships between the characters is something I loved, specifically Iris and Lark. Iris is looking out for her sister, while Lark is the dreamer. The two always are inseparable until, of course, they separate in classes.they always care so much about each other. They hold the story together.You know, I think that in this scenario, my sister and I would both try to be Iris. Weird, but true. As someone who reads and re-reads again and again and again, I can say that this book has things that make me want to re-read. Because, no, I don’t re-read to find out what happens, because I already know. I re-read because I love spending time with the characters,seeing where their personalities lead them. I can’t wait to hang with Lark again, and explore deeper into her imagination and how she analyzes what is put in front of her. I can’t wait to see Iris again, and watch her yet again figure out what obstacles she must surpass. Put this on your TBR list. Pre-order!!!

So a lot of this book was five stars all the way, but the ending didn't quite work for me! (I knew this book included magic, but I think I needed more magic along the way. It just felt like a LOT all at once. Also I sort of expected something to be up more specifically with Lark, with the wolf in the closet and all.So I really don't know how to rate this! I was so into this but then it left me feeling disappointed. (Tracy, do read this, though!)

What a beautiful, powerful book this is!! The writing is so magical and lyrical, while still being completely accessible to young readers- I was hooked from page one! I adored the messages woven into this story, and the depiction of love between sisters, family, and friends was wonderful. There is some fantastic feminist moments in this one, it is so empowering and moving, I absolutely cannot wait to get this into the hands of the younger women in my life! Fight that patriarchy girls!

I received an ARC of this book. I read it in one day. And now I want to give this book to every girl child and every woman I know. I want you to read it. It's magical, but not *just* magical.

4.5 stars for now. We'll see how I feel tomorrow.

Oh, Anne Ursu, you've done it again. On an emotional level, The Lost Girl expertly captures the pain of separation and the fear/joy/bravery/hope involved in forging new bonds. Making friends, facing bullies, feeling different than peers, wondering where/if you'll ever fit in, being taken seriously as a young person~ all are addressed in a way that really made me feel as though I were in Iris's shoes (and Lark's as well). As for the technical side of the writing, there is so much to admire here--the structure is worthy of study~ the weaving of plot threads and emotional threads and character threads...just incredible. And the magic~ oh yes, the magic. *Hugs book*

While an arc isn't always the same as the final-product (the lack of interior art, for ex), nothing could change how simply perfect The Lost Girl was from page one forward.Few authors have ever truly mastered the lyrical voice of the narrator the way Anne Ursu has; at once the classical wink-and-a-nod narrator you'd find in a Grimm's tale and simultaneously refreshingly original, new and modern. Anne Ursu is that supreme figure singing Homer's epics with Annie Lennox's voice.Whether she's casually referencing pop culture, familiar characters found in other strong, amazing novels or filling your world with her own, perfectly wonderful tale ... The Lost Girl is anything but.

I write this fully realizing that book perfection is in the eye of the reader. So what. Don’t at me. This book is perfection. It is honorable. It is spectacular in its prose, its characters, its story, and ITS MESSAGES. THE LOST GIRL has found me. It has helped make me whole again. It has given me a deeper perspective in who I am and what I can do with my voice, with my friends, FOR my friends. EVERY CHILD needs these kinds of messages. THE LOST GIRL is distinguished. It needs to be in the hands of every MG & YA reader in this country for all time, but especially at this moment. It is perfection in a beautiful binding.

I was fortunate to receive an ARC of Anne Ursu's upcoming novel, THE LOST GIRL, the story of two sisters trying to survive growing up in a world that is far too quick to judge and underestimate them. Lark and Iris are unlike any characters I've read before. The twin girls leap to life on the page, each different in their own way. Ursu's lyrical prose weaves a dreamlike narrative rich in emotion as the sisters endure an unexpected separation, during which time each of them must discover what truly defines her. Lyrical, bold, and surprising, THE LOST GIRL is a story of sisterhood, friendship, and overturning the patriarchy.

The author of The Real Boy and Breadcrumbs returns with a new marvelous read for middle graders. Lark and Iris are twins. It’s the thing that everyone notices about them. They are very different underneath their physical similarities. Iris is rational, protective and always willing to argue. Lark is dreamy, creative and sensitive. When the two girls are separated for the first time into different classrooms at school, Lark retreats into herself. She has several humiliating experiences that Iris can’t find a way to help with. Meanwhile, Iris finds herself being quieter without Lark to speak up for and has difficulty finding her own way. She is drawn to a strange new antiques shop and begins to spend time there reading old books that belonged to a mysterious “Alice.” The man in the shop is extremely odd, talking about magic and collections. Other odd things are happening as well with art disappearing around the city and crows gathering in the trees. When Iris finds herself in real danger, the mysteries begin to make horrible sense, but she isn’t sure that anyone will even care she is gone.Ursu once again weaves an incredible tale of magic. This one is set in Minneapolis and Ursu beautifully shares elements of the northern Midwest and the Twin Cities in the story. The setting of anchors this tale in reality which works particularly well as the reveal of the magical part of the book is so gradual. The book is nearly impossible to summarize well or concisely because there are so many elements to the story. As you read though, it is a cohesive whole, a world that Ursu builds for the reader with real skill where the elements click together by the end of the book.While the book is about both Lark and Iris, the focus is primarily on Iris, the more prickly and outspoken sister. Lark is seen through the lens of Iris’ concern for her and Lark’s opinion of her own role with her sister isn’t shared until towards the end of the book. That reveal is one of the most powerful elements of the book, demonstrating how Iris has not been seeing things clearly at all. The narrator voice is just as well done, creating a feeling of a tale within a tale, where magic is real all along.A grand adventure of a book full of magic and girl power. Appropriate for ages 9-12.https://wakingbraincells.com/2019/02/...