Lost in the Sun

By: Lisa Graff

Narrated by: Ramón de Ocampo

From the author of A Tangle of Knots and Absolutely Almost, a touching story about a boy who won't let one tragic accident define him.

Everyone says that middle school is awful, but Trent knows nothing could be worse than the year he had in fifth grade, when a freak accident on Cedar Lake left one kid dead, and Trent with a brain full of terrible thoughts he can't get rid of. Trent's pretty positive the entire disaster was his fault, so for him middle school feels like a fresh start, a chance to prove to everyone that he's not the horrible screw-up they seem to think he is.

If only Trent could make that fresh start happen.

It isn't until Trent gets caught up in the whirlwind that is Fallon Little - the girl with the mysterious scar across her face - that things begin to change. Because fresh starts aren't always easy. Even in baseball, when a fly ball gets lost in the sun, you have to remember to shift your position to find it.

Graff's Awards:

Lisa Graff's books have been named to 30 state award lists, and A Tangle of Knots was long-listed for the National Book Award.

©2015 Lisa Graff (P)2015 Listening Library

Critic reviews

"Graff writes with stunning insight into boyhood and humanity, allowing Trent to speak for himself in a pained, honest narration. Investing Trent with all the tragic frailty of Holden Caulfield, Graff tackles issues of loss, isolation, and rage without apology. Graff consistently demonstrates why character-driven novels can live from generation to generation, and here she offers a story that can survive for many school years to come." (Kirkus Reviews)

"In Lost in the Sun, Trent decides that he will speak the truth: that pain and anger and loss are not the final words, that goodness can find us after all - even when we hide from it. This is a novel that speaks powerfully, honestly, almost shockingly about our human pain and our human redemption. This book will change you." (Gary Schmidt, two-time Newbery Honor-winning author of The Wednesday Wars and Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy)

"Lisa Graff crafts a compelling story about a boy touched with tragedy and the world of people he cares about. And like all the best stories, it ends at a new beginning." (Richard Peck, Newbery Award-winning author of A Year Down Yonder and A Long Way From Chicago)

Hope, humor, joy from a sad setup

Have you listened to any of Ramón de Ocampo’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This was my first time listening to Ramón de Ocampo’s narration. He brought Trent to life perfectly!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I adored this book. On the surface, it felt like it would be a very difficult read. Trent has unbearable tragedy in his background, and he's only a 6th grader, trying to survive middle school and life. His father is distant and curt and offers no comfort. His new friend Fallon breaks the middle school mold -- not an easy person to be, or to be friends with. But there was so much humor and heart in Trent, his friends, his teachers, and his family. I listened hungrily to see how people would reach out to him, and he to them. One of my favorite story lines was Trent's relationship with his homeroom teacher, "a wrinkled old crone" -- and how she stays with him and slowly helps him. Nothing was easily earned in this book -- Trent had to work for every baby step of courage and progress. This book is great therapy for anyone going through a sad, difficult time, or helping someone else to do the same. The final chapters filled me with hope and happiness. Bravo, bravo, bravo, Lisa Graff.

This one will get to you

This reminded me of “Okay For Now”, and any author should be honored by that comparison.

Related

This story relates to a family I know
It is a story describing how a friend can change your life, how family can guide you, and that even " wrinkled old Crohn's " can be the most useful

amazing

I loved this book, it was never boring and I never wanted to stop reading. It grabbed the attention of me. 10/10