Once Was Lost
Once Was Lost
Sara Zarr
Samara is not having a glorious carefree summer. Quite the contrary. The cracks in her once seemingly perfect preacher's kid life have come to the surface. Her beautiful alcoholic mother wrecked the car and got put into treatment. Her kind father whom the whole church adores and has a reputation for being the best listener ever is there for everyone but her. She doesn't feel like she can talk to her best friend, and questions if the other kids in the youth group really even are her friends. And then the sweet pre-teen girl who helps with the kids during church disappears on a Sunday afternoon. And Samara find an uneasy connection with someone else left behind and alone.
Heavy like the oppressive weight of a late August heat wave, Once Was Lost is a riveting read seeped in emotion. Wonderful for any teen who has felt isolated and sad, and especially great for survivors of co-dependent family situations. Suitable for all teens, but best for 8th grade and up.