The Lost Boy

Greg Ruth

- 4.0 • 8 Ratings

- $7.99

- $7.99

Some mysteries are too dangerous to leave alone.

Nate's not happy about his family moving to a new house in a new town. After all, nobody asked him if he wanted to move in the first place. But when he discovers a tape recorder and note addressed to him under the floorboards of his bedroom, he's thrust into a dark mystery about a boy who went missing many, many years ago. Now, as strange happenings and weird creatures begin to track Nate, he must partner with Tabitha, a local girl, to find out what they want with him. But time is running out, for a powerful force is gathering strength in the woods at the edge of town, and before long Nate and Tabitha will be forced to confront a terrifying foe and uncover the truth about the Lost Boy.

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY JUL 22, 2013

Readers of Ruth's picture books, which include A Pirate's Guide to Recess and Red Kite, Blue Kite, are already familiar with his cinematic brand of artwork. He brings the same detail and drama to this chilling graphic novel, which spans more than 50 years. The story opens as a boy named Nate moves to a new town and discovers a tape recorder hidden underneath the floorboards of his bedroom. The action shifts back several decades as Nate listens to recordings left by Walter Pidgen, an outcast boy who disappeared without a trace. Along with a neighbor, Tabitha, Nate is drawn into a supernatural battle involving the denizens of an ancient woodland kingdom, which include talking toys and insects, monstrous wooden soldiers, and a terrifying tree creature called the Vespertine (some violent sequences may disturb younger, more timid readers). The dialogue is often drily funny (especially where Tabitha is involved), if occasionally melodramatic, but Ruth's jaw-droppingly gorgeous artwork makes up for any narrative shortcomings. The final pages suggest that Ruth has more to say about this creepy fairy-tale world. Ages 8 12.

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