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A Field Guide to Getting Lost

Joy McCullough (Goodreads Author)

4.05 · Rating details · 286 ratings · 83 reviews

A girl with a passion for science and a boy who dreams of writing fantasy novels must figure out how to get along now that their parents are dating in this lively, endearing novel.

Sutton is having robot problems. Her mini-bot is supposed to be able to get through a maze in under a minute, but she must have gotten something wrong in the coding. Which is frustrating for a sc ...more

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Hardcover, 224 pages

Published April 14th 2020 by Atheneum Books for Young Readers

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· 286 ratings · 83 reviews

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May 02, 2020 Rajiv rated it it was amazing

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This was a very fun short middle grade story to read! It is always difficult to adapt to any changes in our routine lives. Hence, I loved how the author tackled the subject of children adapting to their parent’s dating lives.

There characters are unique and well written. Initially I did not like Sutton that much. I thought she was too bossy and close-minded and did not like the idea of change. However, the author progressed the story in such a nice manner. Similar to L ...more

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May 09, 2020 Terry rated it it was amazing

A great book, great story, great author and a great read! For the young and the young at heart! Highly recommend!

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Aug 04, 2020 Alex Baugh rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: diversity, family, middle-grade, mothers-and-sons, fathers-and-daughters, divorce

The thing about robotics and coding that nine-year-old homeschooled Sutton Jensen likes is that is it always black and white - if you code correctly, your program responded as expected. Not like a mom and dad who marry and then get divorced, or a mom who's always off studying emperor penguins in Antartica and who sometimes misses big events in Sutton's life. Hopefully, she'll make it home for Sutton's upcoming 10th birthday. And now her dad Martin is dating a woman named Elizabeth and it's start The thing about robotics and coding that nine-year-old homeschooled Sutton Jensen likes is that is it always black and white - if you code correctly, your program responded as expected. Not like a mom and dad who marry and then get divorced, or a mom who's always off studying emperor penguins in Antartica and who sometimes misses big events in Sutton's life. Hopefully, she'll make it home for Sutton's upcoming 10th birthday. And now her dad Martin is dating a woman named Elizabeth and it's starting to get serious. He's finally taking her out for a fancy dinner. To ask her something?

Elizabeth's son Luis is also a bit uncertain about his mom dating Martin. But their first big dinner date does mean he gets to go on his first ever sleepover. Luis, who lost his dad to cancer when he was two, has serious, very serious food allergies and ends up in the hospital in the middle of his sleepover, ending his mom's date thanks to some guinea pig food. Luis is a regular at the hospital, and everyone knows him. Back home, his mom suggests a visit to the Museum of Pop Culture, one of Luis' favorite places. And Luis suggests they invite Martin and Sutton. But as much as Luis enjoys the MoPOP, Sutton is totally disinterested, after all, Luis' favorite Star Wars exhibit is science fiction, not real science.

Clearly, Sutton and Luis have nothing in common, but Martin, who was very unhappy with Sutton's behavior at the museum, and Elizabeth decide to try getting the kids together again, and take them on an outing hiking in the woods at Discovery Park. Not really wanting to go, both kids nevertheless try a little harder to make the outing less disastrous than the first one. Then Luis spots a "narrow opening in a dense thicket of bushes," and imagines it's a secret passageway to another world. The opening is too small for adults, but the parents encourage the kids to explore it, and head to what they think will be the other side to meet them.

But when Luis and Sutton take a wrong turn at a dead end and get lost, will they be able to join forces to find their way out and back to their parents?

A Field Guide to Getting Lost is narrated by both Sutton and Luis in alternating chapters, so that readers know each child's thoughts and reactions to their parents increasingly serious relationship, and to each other. And they couldn't be more different. Sutton is logical, all science and robotics, and a Ravenclaw. Luis has a great imagination which he turns into stories, and, like Martin, is a Hufflepuff. Despite also being a Ravenclaw, I didn't really like Sutton at first, but as she grew, she also grew on me and I began to see that change is hard for her, and she retreats into science as a way of dealing with disappointment. Sutton is apparently white, but lives in a diverse neighborhood, including Muslim, Chinese, and Indian neighbors. And I would love to try some of Mrs. Banerjee's golden milk when things get rough.

I did like Luis right off the bat. Despite his life-threatening allergies that really limit what he can do, Luis is not homeschooled as you might expect for a person with his health problems, but he does carry an epipen. Luis also has a great attitude and I liked how he used his imagination to take him to places he couldn't otherwise visit through his character Penelope Bell. Luis is part Guatemalan on his dad's side, and part white on his mom's side. And even though he doesn't speak Spanish anymore, he keeps in touch with his abuelos who live there.

On the whole, I thought Sutton and Luis' story was delightful to read, and even when they were lost, they weren't in real danger, just enough to let them get to know each other better and learn to appreciate and respect their differences. This very relatable book will definitely appeal to the younger age middle graders.

This book is recommended for readers age 8+
This book was gratefully received from the publisher Simon & Schuster ...more

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Jul 28, 2019 Jessica Lawson rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Holy smokes, my full review is coming, but for now, just know that I LOVE this book for so many reasons. The VOICE, the HUMOR, the everyday DETAILS (the kind that make you feel like you're walking around a scene), THE CHARACTERS, and especially the HONESTY about some hard, hard topics that I know (from personal experience) are very hard to endure. Sutton and Luis are two very different kids whose parents have started dating. That's not just awkward--it's ...well, it's really hard--because both o ...more

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Apr 14, 2020 Danielle Hammelef rated it it was amazing

This book will be a guaranteed winner with all readers. This novel, told in alternating dual perspectives of Sutton and Luis, has an authentic middle grade voice that readers will immediately connect to and relate to as the author never pulls her reader out of character. The supporting characters--the parents, friends, and neighbors are also so real, so supportive, so loving and involved that I wanted to be in their lives.

Set in Seattle, one of my favorite cities, the setting details pop through ...more

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May 18, 2020 Sarah Sammis rated it really liked it

Shelves: road-narrative-spectrum, read-in-2020, exwishlist, middle-grade, pc, reviewed-in-2020, fiction

A Field Guide to Getting Lost by Joy McCullough is set in Seattle. Sutton and her father live in the same apartment building as her mother. But her parents are divorced and her mother is usually absent — down in Antartica studying penguins. Meanwhile, Luis and his mother live across town. Luis has terrible, life threatening allergies. Luis and Sutton's parents are dating and now they want the children to meet.

CC6666 - siblings home offroad

http://pussreboots.com/blog/2020/comm... ...more

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Feb 12, 2020 Jenn of The Bookish Society rated it it was amazing

Sutton and Luis meet when their parents start dating. They have nothing in common at all. Finding a way to get along or even maybe becoming friends (or step-siblings!) is a challenge. Sutton's mom is in Antarctica and is going to miss her 10th birthday and the robot she's working on. Luis is entirely different. Not sciencey at all. He writes stories about things he is afraid of (including dogs). They do begin to work together when they find themselves in a sticky situation. Funny, suspenseful, s ...more

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Aug 26, 2019 Sharon Roat rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Kids are gonna love Luis and Sutton! (Adults will also love these kids... I did!) This book just feels good. I read an advance copy and can't wait for this story to be out in the world making the world a better place. ...more

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May 01, 2020 Stormi (BMReviewsohmy) rated it really liked it

I had seen this one when I was looking for middle grade books for my anticipated list, it didn't make the cut but I still kind of wanted to read it and I am so glad I found this on hoopla because it was really cute.

Sutton is a science girl who is trying to code a small robot into doing what she wants it to and getting really frustrated that she can't figure out a piece of code. Luis loves to write about adventures and doing thrilling things but he can't do them himself because he is allergic to ...more

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Apr 19, 2020 Wrenn Nicodemo rated it really liked it

This is the heartwarming story of two kids, Sutton and Luis, whose parents have recently begun dating. The story is told from alternating points of view: Sutton, a science-minded girl who is laser-focused on coding a mini robot, and Luis, a creative boy writing his own novel who really suffers from severe allergies. The pacing of the plot is good in that the story is centered around two attempts (by the dating parents) to have a "family" activity. The first outing is a flop but soon followed by ...more

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Nov 11, 2020 Maria McGrath rated it really liked it

Shelves: middle-grade

Luis and Sutton are beatifully earnest characters trying to get along as best they can despite the obstacles life has thrown at them. Luis, a budding writer, feels his life tightly circumscribed by life-threatening allergies and a loving but (rightly) concerned mother. Sutton sees herself as a scientist like her faraway mother, often feels more comfortable with pixels than people, and fears that her primary caregiver, her dad, may be slipping away thanks to a new romantic interest.
As Luis's mom ...more

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Nov 14, 2020 Mrs. Mazzola rated it really liked it

Shelves: middle-grade, individuality, realistic-fiction, nature, friendship, divorce

Great story about two kids who get thrown together when their parents begin dating. Their awkwardness and quirky behaviors are captured realistically and with care and I was happy to see a kid with severe allergies as a main character, but the allergies were not the focus of his story. The "adventure" (the getting lost part of the story) is light, perfect for readers who want a gentle story with a happy ending. I also like that the story is told in alternating perspectives and each chapter is sh ...more

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Dec 10, 2020 Connie T. rated it liked it

Shelves: children-s, family-life, multicultural, friendship, divorce

A feel good book about two very different kids seeking common ground and learning to work together, all because their parents are dating. Sutton is a little stand-offish (I wonder if she's on the spectrum?) and Luis wants nothing more than to fully engage in life, despite his limitations. On the surface, they have nothing in common but they're willing to do what it takes to get along. (Experience tells me most kids would grumble!) Multicultural and multigenerational characters add to the appeal. ...more

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Apr 27, 2020 Kate Grace rated it really liked it

This is such a funny and sweet middle-grade novel.

I loved seeing how Sutton and Luis become a part of each other’s life. In general, the friends and family who surround these kids are great. And the Seattle backdrop almost takes on a life of its own, too.

Thank you to Joy McCullough, Atheneum (Simon & Schuster) and Goodreads Giveaways for my copy.

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Jul 13, 2020 Emily Masters rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: children-s, 2020

I loved it! Quick and easy read with characters that felt real for their ages.

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Sep 11, 2020 Jennifer rated it really liked it

Shelves: middle-grade

Very cute. Real characters. Short read.

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Apr 30, 2020 Mahi Senthilkumar rated it it was amazing

This middle grade novel made me cry, cheese at the ceiling from cuteness, and most importantly re-upped my appreciation for young kids as characters and as readers. Wish I had been introduced to more books like this as a kid

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Nov 09, 2019 Kristin Crouch rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Thank you to the author and publisher for sharing an ARC with Collabookation.
Sutton loves robotics, lives with her dad while her mom is far away collecting data on penguins, and is homeschooled. Luis lives with his mom, loves writing adventure stories, and is allergic to everything.
Both protagonists are working through some things: Sutton's mom being away is getting to be a challenge. Sutton's dad is a wonderful caretaker, but having her mom away for her birthday is hard for her to digest. Lui ...more

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Mar 22, 2020 Michelle rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I have been looking for more titles with blended families for the Library and this book fits the bill perfectly. A Field Guide to Getting Lost is a gently told story about two children who become friends after learning their parents are dating and ready to make their relationship more official. A Field Guide to Getting Lost is one of those wonderful stories full of diverse and relatable characters that will appeal to a wide range of audiences. Not only do we have families who have dealt with the I have been looking for more titles with blended families for the Library and this book fits the bill perfectly. A Field Guide to Getting Lost is a gently told story about two children who become friends after learning their parents are dating and ready to make their relationship more official. A Field Guide to Getting Lost is one of those wonderful stories full of diverse and relatable characters that will appeal to a wide range of audiences. Not only do we have families who have dealt with the death of a parent and divorce, immigration and separation, Sutton is a neurodiverse robotics prodigy and Luis, a fantasy writer who lives with severe food allergies. Each child has amazing gifts and strengths but also struggles with fitting in and overcoming their fears. Due to the many sensitive topics within this story, you may want to give it a read first before giving it to a younger reader who has dealt with divorce or parental death.
In A Field Guide to Getting Lost, Sutton and her father live in a tight-knit community in Seattle. After learning her mother won't be home from Antarctica in time for Sutton's tenth birthday, Sutton's anger and disappointment is overshadowed by her uncertain feelings about her father's new romantic relationship with a woman named Elizabeth. Her parents have been divorced for many years and while she always knew it was a possibility, the reality of a new relationship leaves Sutton feeling replaceable. When her father invites her along on a family date with Elizabeth and her son Luis, Sutton tries her best to be friendly but is uncertain how to answer all of Luis' questions.
Luis, the only child of Elizabeth, has few memories of his father who died when he was very young. His severe allergies have made he and his mother incredibly close and he wants to be supportive of his mother's new relationship but is unsure how to act around Sutton. Her short answers and lack of pop culture knowledge leave Luis feeling uncertain about the future.
When the two families attempt another day trip to learn more about each other, a mysterious tunnel in the woods leave Luis and Sutton separated from their parents and forced to work together to find their way back to civilization.
This is a wonderful story of friendship, overcoming fears, and understanding that families come in all shapes and sizes. As I am in a very rural area, the descriptions of Seattle, with it's farmer's markets and community gardens will be knew for my children. Large apartment buildings aren't as common here so it will be interesting to see the kid's reactions to reading about walking down the hall to a favorite neighbor or upstairs to a friend's apartment. There's a very cute scene where 10 year-old Luis gets to walk down the block to a store to buy markers by himself and this mark of independence will be a great discussion starter with younger readers about their first independent adventure.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read and review this title, all opinions and mistakes are my own. ...more

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Apr 12, 2020 Tonja Drecker rated it it was amazing

Two very different personalities from two maybe or maybe not so very different worlds come together in a touching and engaging tale.

Sutton's parents are divorced, and her mother is constantly away studying penguins. Like her mom, Sutton loves science, but unlike her mom, she's into robots and programming—and she's fairly talented at it too. But when her mom announces she won't be there for Sutton's birthday, and her father gets more serious with the woman he's been dating, Sutton's not sure her
Two very different personalities from two maybe or maybe not so very different worlds come together in a touching and engaging tale.

Sutton's parents are divorced, and her mother is constantly away studying penguins. Like her mom, Sutton loves science, but unlike her mom, she's into robots and programming—and she's fairly talented at it too. But when her mom announces she won't be there for Sutton's birthday, and her father gets more serious with the woman he's been dating, Sutton's not sure her life's programming is on the right track.

Then there's Luis. He's allergic to everything...or so it seems. His mom does everything in her power to protect him, but he still manages to stumble from one allergic reaction into the next. When his mom introduces him to her to the man she's dating and his daughter, Luis is willing to give the new people a try, but Sutton is tighter than the magical wards guarding a super treasure. He's not sure he can break through.

This was such a fun book to read! Sutton comes across so single-minded, as she only thinks about her robot, while trying to drown out the thoughts of troubles with her mother. It almost makes her, at times, a bit robotic herself. It's hard not to sympathize with her and her unease at dealing with everyone's relationships. Because everyone feels a little lost sometimes. Luis is a mess with his allergies, and yet, he's got the constant glow of hope...although it's not always bright and clear. His mishaps are the kind which could be almost funny if he didn't always end up with another dangerous allergic reaction. It's hard not to feel for him, and definitely easy to cheer for him as he tries to reach beyond his fears. In other words, both of these characters to hard not to like.

While the tale revolves around Luis's and Sutton's battle to get beyond their own worlds and deal with the new situation, it packs loads of gentle humor and tons of hope. Each page holds something new, making it a hard book to put down. Many young readers will identify with the two characters, and hope they both find their way.
I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed reading the tale more than I thought I would. ...more

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Mar 25, 2020 Kate Waggoner rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2020-read

Thank you to #NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for allowing me the opportunity to read a digital ARC of A Field Guide to Getting Lost by Joy McCullough. This middle grades contemporary novel will be released on April 14, 2020. All opinions are my own.

Sutton is almost 10 years old and lives with her father in an apartment in Seattle. Her mother is a scientist researching penguin migration in Antarctica, and Sutton has just learned that her mom won't be home for her 10th bir ...more

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Apr 27, 2020 Sierra Dertinger rated it really liked it

Sutton lives in a quaint apartment, loves to code her robots, and is homeschooled by her loving father, while her mother is in South Antarctica saving penguins (a thankless job). The problem is that Sutton hardly sees her mom with this new job, and the fact that her dad and mom are divorced.
Luis lives in the perfect home with his mother, Elizabeth, whom is always checking in on him. He is allergic to peanuts, bees, and countless other things that resolve in EpiPen injections and emergency trips ...more

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Nov 28, 2020 Todd rated it really liked it

Shelves: goodreadsgiveaways, reviewed, young-adult

First, kudos to Isabel Roxas (StudioRoxas.com) for the beautiful cover art because after all I tend to judge a book by its cover. 😉

The story generally follows a father with his daughter and a mother with her son as they move toward the possibility of blending the two families. The cast of characters in their lives are diverse and heart-warming and provide a firm foundation to the overall story direction. But the story really is about the two children and their efforts to find their direction in ...more

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Feb 15, 2020 Kathie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for an eARC of this book.

This is the author's debut middle grade book, but many will be familiar with her YA historical fiction novel in verse BLOOD WATER PAINT. In A FIELD GUIDE TO GETTING LOST, two kids (Sutton and Luis) are brought together because their parents are dating. Sutton loves science and robotics, and is struggling with the absence of her mom who is working in Antarctica. Luis is a writer who loves fantasies since his numerous allergies keep ...more

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Mar 07, 2020 wanderonwards rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: arc-reviews

Thank you to NetGalley and Atheneum Books for Young Readers for sending me a free ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

A Field Guide To Getting Lost is a charming and humorous middle grade story about unlikely friends and navigating your way through life’s difficulties.

McCullough does a wonderful job of creating likable, realistic characters while tackling an ambitious range of subjects. I particularly enjoyed the little bits of humor throughout the story and how honestly McCullough portra ...more

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May 19, 2020 Rachel rated it liked it

Shelves: fiction, read-to-aj, read-to-ab, audiobooks, read-aloud, 2nd-grade, read-to-t, 4th-grade, 6th-grade, hoopla-kindle

This book was a random find on Hoopla. Overall the story was enjoyable but I don’t see it being a book that kids are still talking about 20 years from now.

We listened to the audiobook version. My kids did not care for the voices of some the characters in the audio version and my 7 year old said the back and forth of different main characters telling the story was confusing. My 12 and 10 year olds said the kids didn’t seem like the ages they were portraying. At times they seemed way too young an ...more

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Nov 11, 2019 Katie Reilley rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Thank you to the author and publisher for sharing an early copy with our #bookexpedition group.

Sutton’s parents are divorced. She lives with her dad while her mom is in Antarctica, researching penguin migration. She’s a science-minded kid who’s dealing with programming issues, both with her mini-bot and in her own life. Luis lives with his mom, having lost his dad to cancer years ago. While his creative writing is fantasy driven (Star Wars and Harry Potter are favorites), he’s usually stuck in ...more

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Apr 27, 2020 Jessica Harrison rated it it was amazing

A Field Guide to Getting Lost is Joy McCullough’s debut middle-grade novel, but you’d never know that. Her writing is so comfortable and inviting, you’d think she’d spent years writing for this age group. There’s a natural cadence to her prose that lends to its authenticity.

Sutton and Luis are as different as can be, but they are equally likeable. Sutton has a dogged determinedness that is endearing. I think most readers can easily commiserate with Luis. Everyone can imagine not being able to ea ...more

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Nov 06, 2020 Thompson McLeod rated it liked it

Readers who love alternating characters and point of view will enjoy this easy to read middle grade contemporary. Two very different kids: Sutton, a science girl who lives with her dad and Luis, an shy but creative introvert find themselves forced to become friends (or at least allies) when since their parents are dating.

Luis would much rather bury his head in fiction and stories and Sutton would rather code and tinker with robotics. When they find themselves lost and alone in a huge park while ...more

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Dec 12, 2020 Danielle rated it it was ok

Shelves: middle-grade, contemporary, available-on-audio-read

"Just because coding was based in logical cause and effect didn't mean there was only ever one way to do something. In fact, there was almost always more than one way to arrive at a solution."

I really wanted to like this middle grade book. It has the most darling little cover, but the book just didn't hold up. It felt like the exposition of the story went on and on and on and the actual part about getting lost (as the title would suggest) was more of an afterthought that took place over halfway ...more

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