SOLVED. Mystery short story (part of a short story collection) about a boy whose parents died at the beach. [s]

[D.G.]

I heard a spoken version of a short mystery story in a collection of short stories either on the podcast Criminal or This American Life in August 2018. The story was about a boy whose parents had died at the beach and how he subsequently developed some kind of magical powers. Toward the end he meets a woman, and she gives him a turquoise object.

[Jon]

I think this is the story 'Loser' from the book 'The Girl in the Flammable Skirt' by Aimee Bender.

It is about a boy who lost his parents at the beach and then developed the supernatural ability to find lost things.

The Girl in the Flammable Skirt

[Kris]

D.G., I moved your request to the "Unsolved" folder because you're looking for one specific book.

Is this book for adults or teens? How old is the boy?

[D.G.]

Jon wrote: "I think this is the story 'Loser' from the book 'The Girl in the Flammable Skirt' by Aimee Bender.

It is about a boy who lost his parents at the beach and then developed the supernatural ability t..."

Yes! That's the one. Much gratitude.

[D.G.]

Kris wrote: "D.G., I moved your request to the "Unsolved" folder because you're looking for one specific book.

Is this book for adults or teens? How old is the boy?"

It's been found. 'Loser' in The Girl in the Flammable Skirt by Aimee Bender. Thanks.