Lost Boy

by Linda Newbery

Book Overview

New house, new school, new friendsbut Matt Lanchester knows it won't all be that easy when he moves to the town of Hay-on-Wye. Almost as soon as he arrives, he is drawn into a mystery when he sees a... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0375845747
• ISBN13: 9780375845741
• Release Date: March 2008
• Publisher: David Fickling Books
• Length: 194 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.9" x 8.3"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

A captivating and well-written story that will appeal to people of almost any age

Matt Lanchester and his family have recently moved to a new town called Hay-on-Wye in England. His parents have opened a bed and breakfast/bookstore, which fits perfectly into a town famous for its many bookstores. While helping his mom and dad fix up the house and gather books for the shelves, Matt starts school, uneasy of finding new friends. But in no time, he hooks up with a couple of fellows named Robbo and Tig. Spending time with them seems to ensure his safety from being picked on by other kids, though there's something disturbing about the pair, something about which Matt doesn't feel comfortable. But having somebody to hang out with is better than having no one, right? One thing Matt really enjoys about the new town is the freedom he feels exploring on his bike. He loves barreling down the country lanes at top speed and looking out over the green hills that extend into forever. Then one day he notices a cross nailed to a tree, marking the site of an accident and death. The initials on the cross read M.L. Shivers run down Matt's spine. Could the cross be an omen for his own death? Robbo and Tig gladly fill him in on the details of the cross. M.L. stands for Martin Lloyd, a boy killed years earlier by an old man named Wil Jones. And one of their favorite pastimes is to torment Wil when they see him in town or even at his own home. Matt doesn't feel comfortable with their harassment of Wil, but he fears losing their alliance. When he starts feeling Martin's presence, begins to dream of him at night and senses that Martin is trying to tell him something, Matt agrees to go with Robbo and Tig to Wil's house to try to solve the mystery. However, they have other plans for the old man. Will Matt be able to stand up for what's right and find out what's keeping Martin from resting in peace? Award-winning author Linda Newbery brings this charming tale to life with delightful characters, vivid descriptions of the English countryside and a spooky mystery to grab the reader's attention. She cleverly weaves into the story one young man's struggles with right and wrong, battles with peer pressure and the ultimate rewards for making positive choices. LOST BOY also offers American audiences a glimpse into British culture (for instance, characters using a torch instead of a flashlight). LOST BOY is a captivating and well-written story that will appeal to people of almost any age. --- Reviewed by Chris Shanley-Dillman, author of FINDING MY LIGHT and THE BLACK POND