Lost in the Sun
Lisa Graff
Philomel Books 2015
American
Years 5-8
What’s it about?
12-year-old Trent Zimmerman has just started 6th grade but his life is blighted by a tragic accident the year before. In a freakish accident, he killed a fellow student and Trent can’t get over his guilt. He pushes away friends and family and believes everyone hates him and blames him for the accident. Trent is getting into trouble left, right and centre and he feels out of control. To make matters worse he can’t bring himself to play his beloved sports anymore. Estranged from former friends he reluctantly makes friends with Fallon, a girl whose scarred face hints at a traumatic past. It seems things may be going to change when his temper gets the better of him and life seems worse than ever. However with the help and support of sympathetic friends Trent finds the inner strength to redeem himself.
What’s good about it?
It’s beautifully written in a style that most young readers would warm to and read with ease. The twin themes of dealing with grief and redemption are beautifully handled. The author, Lisa Graff (a very well known American writer) does not dwell on the details of the tragic accident or on the reaction of the other kids. We see things only from Trent’s point of view and it is only as we come to the end of the book, do we see, that the anger Trent feels is self-directed and the only forgiveness he needs is self-forgiveness. Any child that has ever felt that they just needed a fresh start will appreciate the idea that this is entirely possible. I think the author has managed to capture the voice of a 12-year-boy and his inner most emotional reasoning (or lack) extremely well and the book is neither condescending nor too adult.
What’s not so good about it?
I don’t have any major criticisms of this book. It is longish but paced well so as to hold the reader's’ attention. Some have been critical of the bleakness of Trent’s anguish but I think the redemption aspect makes it necessary to have Trent suffer. I do wonder why Trent wasn’t given more counselling, it seems that he is left to deal with his issues without much help!
Who would like it?
Any child who likes an involving story with an emotional aspect
