The Lost Girl

A Publishers Weekly Best Children’s Book of 2019

Anne Ursu, author of the National Book Award nominee The Real Boy, returns with a story of the power of fantasy, the limits of love, and the struggles inherent in growing up.

When you’re an identical twin, your story always starts with someone else. For Iris, that means her story starts with Lark.

Iris has always been the grounded, capable, and rational one; Lark has been inventive, dreamy, and brilliant—and from their first moments in the world together, they’ve never left each other’s side. Everyone around them realized early on what the two sisters already knew: they had better outcomes when they were together.

When fifth grade arrives, however, it's decided that Iris and Lark should be split into different classrooms, and something breaks in them both.

Iris is no longer so confident; Lark retreats into herself as she deals with challenges at school. And at the same time, something strange is happening in the city around them, things both great and small going missing without a trace.

As Iris begins to understand that anything can be lost in the blink of an eye, she decides it’s up to her to find a way to keep her sister safe.

What happens when the girl who fixes everything is the one who’s broken?

• A Heartfelt Story About Sisters: Iris and Lark are identical twins who have never been apart. But when they’re separated in fifth grade, their magical bond is tested like never before.
• Magical Realism and Mystery: As strange things start disappearing all over Minneapolis—from a famous sculpture to Lark’s treasured bracelet—the sisters discover a mysterious antique shop that might hold the key.
• Childhood Anxiety and Finding Your Voice: A sensitive and honest look at what it feels like to be overwhelmed by the world, and the courage it takes to stand up for yourself and the people you love.
• The Power of Friendship: Perfect for middle grade readers, this is an empowering tale about finding your flock and discovering you’re stronger together than you are alone.