Three starred reviews
A Publishers Weekly Best Children's Book of 2019
Anne Ursu, author of the National Book Award nominee The Real Boy, returns with a story of the power of fantasy, the limits of love, and the struggles inherent in growing up.
When you're an identical twin, your story always starts with someone else. For Iris, that means her story starts with Lark.
Iris has always been the grounded, capable, and rational one; Lark has been inventive, dreamy, and brilliant-and from their first moments in the world together, they've never left each other's side. Everyone around them realized early on what the two sisters already knew: they had better outcomes when they were together.
When fifth grade arrives, however, it's decided that Iris and Lark should be split into different classrooms, and something breaks in them both.
Iris is no longer so confident; Lark retreats into herself as she deals with challenges at school. And at the same time, something strange is happening in the city around them, things both great and small going missing without a trace.
As Iris begins to understand that anything can be lost in the blink of an eye, she decides it's up to her to find a way to keep her sister safe.
One sister retreats into a world of stories. The other must face a real-world mystery to get her back.
- An Unbreakable Twin Bond: Iris and Lark have never been apart. Now, forced into separate classes, they must find a way back to each other before their special connection is lost forever.
- A Touch of Magical Realism: As the sisters drift apart, strange things start disappearing all over the city—from a priceless sculpture to a silver charm bracelet. Is it magic, or something more sinister?
- A Story about Finding Your Voice: While dreamy Lark retreats into herself, rational Iris must discover a new kind of strength to protect the one person who matters most.
- Heartfelt and Lyrical Storytelling: Perfect for young readers who love emotionally rich stories about family, fantasy, and the struggles of growing up.
“A magical story of sisterly love and loss and friendship.”
