Lost Boy

Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the disorientation of a major life move or feeling like an outsider in a community with deep, unspoken roots. It is a thoughtful mystery that helps children navigate the 'ghosts' of a new place: the local histories and secrets that can make a newcomer feel isolated. As Matt Lanchester settles into Hay-on-Wye, he discovers a roadside memorial sharing his own initials, M.L., sparking a quest to uncover the truth about a boy who came before him. Through Matt's journey, the story explores themes of identity, the weight of the past, and the process of finding one's own space in a pre-existing social fabric. It is a sophisticated choice for middle-grade readers who enjoy a touch of the supernatural blended with realistic emotional growth.