From the Bookshelf of Mock Newbery 2026…

Lost in the Sun

Lisa Graff

Start date: July 1, 2015

Finish date: July 31, 2015

Discussion: Newbery 2016

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 9 topics — 391 comments total

Newbery 2016

* And the 2016 Winners Are...
By Kristen · 47 posts · 400 views

last updated Jan 21, 2016 11:58AM

Our Mock 2016 Award
By Kristen · 9 posts · 206 views

last updated Jan 11, 2016 04:09PM

showing 1 of 1 topics view all »

What Members Thought

Jun 11, 2015 The Styling Librarian rated it it was amazing

Shelves: kids-books, favorites, realistic-fiction

Lost in the Sun by Lisa Graff – Realistic Fiction – 4th grade and up – darn that Lisa Graff for writing another fantastic novel that made me weep.

Book Talk: Could you get over accidentally killing someone? Would you need to talk with people about the situation? What if you had noone to talk to? Would you stay friends with someone who exploded violently when they think something is unfair? Do you think people deserve a second chance? These many questions can be thought about as you read Trent’s e ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Apr 11, 2015 Heather rated it it was amazing

Shelves: funny, go-girls, diverse-voices, boy-books, middle-grade, strong-narrators, school-story, death, sports, friendship

Chock full of thoughtful, well-developed characters, Graff latest book explores both physical and emotional scars. The book’s central character, Trent, is a sixth grader trying to deal with the aftermath of a tragic hockey accident, in which a young player was fatally injured. Full of anger, guilt, and self-loathing, Trent seems determined to isolate himself from everyone who cares for him, so it seems impossible that he should somehow develop a friendship with his unusual classmate, Fallon. Fal ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Mar 08, 2015 Amy rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2015-starred-reviews, newbery-2016-predictions

It's rare that I read a book that's just filled with passages that I want to read aloud to my students. I loved everything about this book and appreciate how it's emotionally darker that deal with death even though it has a tidy and upbeat middle grades ending.

Newbery contender for sure. ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Aug 02, 2015 Deb rated it liked it

Shelves: ya, newbery

This was a heavy book for me and hit a little too close to home for our family. Perhaps my rating of a 3 star would be higher if it weren't for my own personal experiences relating too closely. In this story, Trent, is consumed by guilt over his part in a tragic accident. I guess what bothers me most is that there were adults in his life that could SEE that his personality had changed, he had abandoned his friends, had violent outbursts, was not trying in school yet, they didn't get him the help This was a heavy book for me and hit a little too close to home for our family. Perhaps my rating of a 3 star would be higher if it weren't for my own personal experiences relating too closely. In this story, Trent, is consumed by guilt over his part in a tragic accident. I guess what bothers me most is that there were adults in his life that could SEE that his personality had changed, he had abandoned his friends, had violent outbursts, was not trying in school yet, they didn't get him the help he so badly needed. ugh. That just didn't set well with me.

Trent is a 7th grader. He is known in his home town for being the kid that hit the hockey puck that killed Jared Richards in a freak accident. It was a hit stopped Jared's defective heart. Now, Trent struggles to move past the accident. He is afraid to play baseball, has difficulties in school, has excluded himself from his friends, and is angry at his father. Trent does, however, have a good relationship with his mother and the two seem to be pretty close. Early in the story, Trent makes a new friend, Fallon, who is a bit quirky but fun to be around. Trent has a couple of teachers who recognize the struggles he is having and cut him some slack. His gym teacher, Mr. Gorman doesn't fight with him on participation, but gives him other options. And "the wrinkled old crone" Ms. Emerson who, though a woman of few words, supports him yet doesn't let him get away with disrespect. As a matter of fact, she allows him to water her plants. :)

As the story builds, Trent finds himself with more and more built up anger. In fact, he beats up a boy for taunting his friend, Fallon.
This is a mistake, because it makes Fallon afraid of him. Accidentally killing someone with a hockey puck is one thing; it makes Trent afraid of himself. But for Fallon to be afraid of him is unbearable.

Losing Fallon's friendship is devastating to Trent. He realizes that he needs to regain her trust. He visits her father and offers to "water the plants" to start with building trust with him. And then in turn, recognizes others in his life (his mom, brother Aaron)who are also dealing with struggles. All of these influences help Trent to get over his anger and frustration and begin to move on with his life.

Fans of Wonder, Because of Mr. Terupt should like this book.
...more

1 like · Like · see review

Jun 27, 2015 Margaret rated it it was amazing

Shelves: mock-newbery-2016

Mock Newbery 2016. My favorite so far.

1 like · Like · see review

Jun 07, 2015 Beth Robertson rated it really liked it

Trent is such a wonderful true character. The way Fallon guides him through his grief and guilt is a beautiful thing to read and experience. The author remains one of my favorites.

Like · see review

Jun 29, 2015 LauraW rated it really liked it

Shelves: from-library, tween

An impressive book about guilt and anger, it has lots of other themes as well. I liked the characters - they seemed very real.

Like · see review

Oct 28, 2015 Patty rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2015

Great character development.

Like · see review

Nov 04, 2015 Julie Williams rated it it was amazing

Loved this!!!

Like · see review

Oct 26, 2015 A rated it really liked it

I really liked getting to know Fallon and Trenton and their relationship. And how they help each other cope with each of their stuggles.

Like · see review

Aug 06, 2015 Kim rated it really liked it

Shelves: chapter

Trent was involved in a hockey accident that killed a classmate. He can't stop blaming himself. At the start of middle school he is a non-person until Fallon Little a girl with a mysterious scar, comes to his rescue. ...more

Like · see review