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nairam1173's review against another edition
3.0
In a way I'm half Iris and half Lark and my oldest younger sister is the other halves and the relationship reminds me so weirdly of us and I've never felt so Seen by book about siblings and that all makes me feel more emotions than the plot and last 80 pages of this book.
I'm conflicted.
I'm conflicted.
isaayala's review against another edition
5.0
I love books by Anne Ursu. They make sense of the world. When the world feels wrong Anne Ursu's books make it feel right. The Lost Girl was no exception.
Iris and Lark are identical twins. They do everything together and everyone knows that is the way it should be. Until everyone decides they think differently. In the fifth grade Lark and Iris are given separate classes so that they can 'find themselves'. Iris knows she has to protect Lark because Lark isn't like other people. When things start disappearing and mysteries start appearing Iris knows she has to protect her sister. But does Lark need protecting?
This book was wonderful. The relationship between Lark and Iris felt exactly the way a relationship between sisters should be: the need to protect and the reality that you both need protecting. And the magic. I loved the magic.
Iris and Lark are identical twins. They do everything together and everyone knows that is the way it should be. Until everyone decides they think differently. In the fifth grade Lark and Iris are given separate classes so that they can 'find themselves'. Iris knows she has to protect Lark because Lark isn't like other people. When things start disappearing and mysteries start appearing Iris knows she has to protect her sister. But does Lark need protecting?
This book was wonderful. The relationship between Lark and Iris felt exactly the way a relationship between sisters should be: the need to protect and the reality that you both need protecting. And the magic. I loved the magic.
lrcartee's review against another edition
4.0
Iris and Lark Maguire are identical twins. On the outside, they look the same but on the inside they are very different. They are the perfect compliment to each other, one quiet and creative, the other practical and down to earth. Then disaster happened, for the first time ever, they would be in separated classes. how would they survive? Who would protect Lark from the school's number one bully? Iris ranted and reasoned. Lark pleaded. No one would listen. they pretended to listen. They pretended to understand but the fact was, they didn't. No one did.
This book is about children with a voice that no one hears. It's about the loyalty of the sisters, the powerful protection and support they have for each other. The author says it best in her letter to the reader at the front of the book (I read an ARC copy, for clarification, in case that isn't where it is in the final copy), "...this book is about the subversive force of female friendship and how the bonds between girls are magic." Did I mention the story had magic? Just another plus, in my opinion.
This book is about children with a voice that no one hears. It's about the loyalty of the sisters, the powerful protection and support they have for each other. The author says it best in her letter to the reader at the front of the book (I read an ARC copy, for clarification, in case that isn't where it is in the final copy), "...this book is about the subversive force of female friendship and how the bonds between girls are magic." Did I mention the story had magic? Just another plus, in my opinion.
cjrayl's review against another edition
5.0
Twins. So many are fascinated by identical twins, by the theories that they are connected in so many unusual ways. This book is written for ages 11 on up and while I don't usually post reviews on all the children books that I am reading, I feel compelled to review this book.
Two girls, identical twins, who have spent their elementary school years sharing the same teacher are beginning fifth grade in separate classrooms. Iris has long been the buffer between all the ugliness of school and bullies and her sister, Lark's, sensitivities. Yet by being a buffer, Iris hasn't grown as an individual nor has Lark learned how to cope with life's realities. Iris struggles to go through the day without Lark. Her life seems gray and formless and she finds that she has nothing in common with others her own age. Iris can't connect with life around her. Lark, meanwhile, is awash in her introversion, having difficulties dealing with reality that clashes with her visionary outlook. Mix in a slow rising magical threat and a murder of crows and you have a story that will entrance even an adult reader.
Its the outstanding character development that shines in this novel along with a third person narrator that interjects observations and questions that create a masterful foreshadowing. The writing is well crafted and while the ending caters to the young reader, even an adult will find it of interest and certainly unexpected. This is a highly recommended book and one that I will continue to recommend to any reader who wants something masterful to read.
Two girls, identical twins, who have spent their elementary school years sharing the same teacher are beginning fifth grade in separate classrooms. Iris has long been the buffer between all the ugliness of school and bullies and her sister, Lark's, sensitivities. Yet by being a buffer, Iris hasn't grown as an individual nor has Lark learned how to cope with life's realities. Iris struggles to go through the day without Lark. Her life seems gray and formless and she finds that she has nothing in common with others her own age. Iris can't connect with life around her. Lark, meanwhile, is awash in her introversion, having difficulties dealing with reality that clashes with her visionary outlook. Mix in a slow rising magical threat and a murder of crows and you have a story that will entrance even an adult reader.
Its the outstanding character development that shines in this novel along with a third person narrator that interjects observations and questions that create a masterful foreshadowing. The writing is well crafted and while the ending caters to the young reader, even an adult will find it of interest and certainly unexpected. This is a highly recommended book and one that I will continue to recommend to any reader who wants something masterful to read.
pkadams's review against another edition
3.0
Good solid book on identity for middle-grade readers. The creepy old guy was a bit much for me, so I would like to hear from others in the target demographic to know what they thought. I had higher expectations because of the reviews and ratings.
amandarawsonhill's review against another edition
5.0
I listened to this with the kids and asked how they liked it. My 9yo son replied with, "I loved it."
corncobwebs's review against another edition
Really intrigued by this unseen first-person narrator.
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Lark was the one with hobbies, and Iris was the one who didn’t have any hobbies, unless you counted being suspicious all the time.
LOVED Lark and Iris. They were both distinct, well-drawn characters. And the ending to this book really packs a punch.
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Lark was the one with hobbies, and Iris was the one who didn’t have any hobbies, unless you counted being suspicious all the time.
LOVED Lark and Iris. They were both distinct, well-drawn characters. And the ending to this book really packs a punch.
falconerreader's review against another edition
4.0
This is lovely and evocative, as is everything I've read by Ursu. It went in directions I did not expect, and it took me an embarrassingly long time to a) disentangle what Iris thought was right for the girls from what was actually right for the girls and b) figure out who was narrating the story. Plus, Minneapolis is a refreshing setting for a book. I mean, I get why movies are set in California or New York, since that's where the film crews are, but why are so many books set there?
heybmorefish's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0