The Lost Girl

Starred review from December 1, 2018

Gr 3-6-Ursu's latest novel follows the story of Iris and Lark as they start fifth grade. Iris prides herself on her knowledge, rationality, and assertiveness while Lark is more dreamy and artistic. When they find out that they have been assigned different teachers for the first time ever, their world is shaken. Lark's shyness and anxiety seem to make her wilt and Iris has difficulty connecting to her new classmates while worrying about her twin. Meanwhile, a new store called "Treasure Hunters" sets up shop in their Minneapolis neighborhood. The odd messages on the sign intrigue the sisters, setting Iris on the trail of an ominous mystery as Lark retreats inside herself. Although the sisters initially seem to be too purposely disparate in character, the characterization is not all that it seems. In fact, the magical realism of the book allows an almost metaphoric view of the world as Iris grapples with both supernatural and psychological threats. The style of the novel echoes the mysteriousness of the plot: the viewpoint shifts between Iris, an unnamed observer, and the omniscient chronicler of the disappearance of state treasures. The prose is lovely, unafraid to echo the mysterious questions posed or Iris's comforting refrain that she and Lark have better outcomes when they are together. The sense of adventure and mystery make this appealing to a wide audience. VERDICT A beautiful, timeless tale of love conquering darkness in the midst of mystery and the angst of change. A must-have for any middle grade collection.-Erin Reilly-Sanders, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 15, 2018
How will identical twins survive separation for the first time, especially when there's a monster in their Minneapolis neighborhood?Fifth grade is full of big changes for white identical twins Iris and Lark when they discover they will not only have different teachers, but different after-school activities. A third-person--although not omniscient--narrator recounts the twins' story. Identifying this narrator is the start of many mysteries. And although the plot revolves around the girls' burgeoning independence, Ursu focuses most on the separation's effect on Iris. Having watched her sister face multiple illnesses, she's become Lark's protector and remains reluctant to give up this role. Grounded in spot-on twin truths, the mysterious story is also a modern-day fantasy with myriad components: local art heists and an antiques store with cryptic signs; the store owner's magical experiments and missing sister; Lark's own missing items and fondness for crows; Iris' Pied Piper dreams and folktale musings; Iris' after-school program at the library and its diverse group of girls, who explore self-esteem and feminism. The details are astounding, but the overall effect is overly ambitious. When the monster finally appears, the finale feels rushed as the girls work to defeat him. But the process allows the twins to realize that growing up doesn't mean growing apart. Charming illustrations throughout reflect both the girls' subtle physical differences and larger adventures.Ursu's fans will find much to love. (Fantasy. 8-12)

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Starred review from February 1, 2019
Grades 4-7 *Starred Review* Iris and Lark are identical twins whose differing personalities and styles fit together perfectly. Iris is practical, logical, and outspoken. Lark is a dreamer, artistic, and shy. Their inseparable status is threatened, however, when they are assigned to different fifth-grade classrooms. Iris is sure it's a mistake, but the girls' parents and principal are resolute that separating Iris and Lark will help them grow as individuals. Narrated by a nameless third party, the story belongs primarily to Iris, who believes it is her job to protect Lark, and she works herself into knots over being suddenly unable to do so. For the first time, she finds herself keeping secrets and telling Lark lies, hoping to shield her sensitive other half from unpleasantness. Meanwhile, Iris finds refuge in an antique shop with a cryptic sign and even more curious owner, whose empathy with Iris' situation is revealed to be unspeakably sinister. Anger, confusion, and loneliness muddle together as Iris realizes she can only escape her dire predicament by letting Lark take charge. National Book Award nominee Ursu laces her story with fairy-tale elements and real-life monsters, while taking great care to cast girls in an empowering light and as authors (and heroes) of their own stories. It is a layered, mysterious tale that will speak to many and brushes the world with magic.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)

March 1, 2019
Eleven-year-old twins Iris and Lark are identical, but not the same. Lark is empathic, creative, imaginative; Iris is assertive, practical, organized?and fiercely protective of Lark. They orbit around each other like binary stars; they have better outcomes when they [are] together. When they are assigned to separate fifth-grade classrooms (and afterschool programs), things fall apart. Both girls are miserable?Iris the more so because she can't protect the vulnerable Lark. Feeling helpless, Iris retreats into herself, especially at her girl-empowering afterschool program, Camp Awesome. Meanwhile, objects, large and small, begin disappearing all over town after a strange antique store appears, run by a man obsessed with finding his lost sister. Early in the novel Ursu lays out a roadmap for the book: This is a story of a sign and a store?Of magic. Of bad decisions made from good intentions. Of bad guys with bad intentions?But most of all, this is a story of the two sisters, and what they did when the monsters really came. That map is necessary since readers may lose track of the larger story once they have become immersed in Ursu's extraordinarily deep, minutely observed portrayal of the twins?especially Iris. Because Iris doesn't see the danger coming, neither do readers. The ending feels abrupt (the story's climax, reveals of the identities of both the story's villain and mysterious offstage narrator, and denouement all happen in the course of a few pages) and, for such an interior story, a bit jarring (the twins and their new allies the Awesome girls vanquish the villain in a frighteningly violent, fight-to-the-death battle). But the book is packed with rich and thought-provoking material as it explores such themes as girls' power and agency (both individual and collective), obsession, healthy versus unhealthy relationships, and, yes, the cost of magic. martha v. Parravano

(Copyright 2019 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

July 1, 2019
Eleven-year-old Lark is empathic and imaginative; her twin Iris is assertive and practical. When they are assigned to separate fifth-grade classrooms, both girls are miserable. Meanwhile, objects begin disappearing all over town after a strange antique store appears, run by a man obsessed with finding his lost sister. The book is packed with thought-provoking material, exploring such themes as girls' power, healthy versus unhealthy relationships--and the cost of magic.

(Copyright 2019 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)