Impressions: Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger
Book Category: Middle grade fiction
My local indie children’s bookseller (Bel & Bunna’s Books!) told me this is what I should read if I want to know what middle grade books kids around here are asking for and loving these days. She said: they’re looking for the magical things, and that after reading the first in this series (as she does for all her books), she couldn’t help but keep reading. A boy in her bookstore nodded his head in strong agreement: he also loves this book. So of course, I got it! And it was the perfect read for me as I hang with my mom who is sick (new cancer diagnosis.) I had it in my new book stash, and it was what I reached for when I needed something to easily enjoy. And I did!
The voice reminded me of Donna Barba Higuera’s The Last Cuentista. I know it was published earlier, but I read it later. :)
Also- the mix of lite middle school very early high school experience (G) with situations placed in the created world.
I’m not educated about fantasy or sci-fi tropes, nor do I have broad knowledge of classic stories… so I don’t know how much components of this made connections to other stories, but it definitely reminded me of the kinds of things that captured my imagination when I was that age. Like- Atlantis? Ooo tell me more. That’s one of the Lost Cities mentioned.
I kept thinking this was written around the time of the big California fires that have happened in the last 5 years… but this was published in 2012! The fire narrative definitely resonated.
The pace and emotional arc- had me super engaged.
I love the extinct animal appearances and the main character being able to interact with them.
Basically, I plan to keep an experiential memory of this author’s fast moving dramatic writing. :) :)
This is part of my Not a Normal Review series.
Which is not a formal thing, it’s just—
My idea for how to keep notes about books I’ve read.
Finished: in February 2023
Format: Audiobook & Print
If I am wrong on anything, let me know!