The Space Between Lost and Found

Middle schooler Cassie grapples with her mother's early-onset Alzheimer's disease while trying to maintain her life as a student and competitive swimmer. She finds comfort in math and science, using formulas and calculations to make sense of the changes happening at home. Her best friend Bailey helps her navigate seventh grade as Cassie's home responsibilities increase. When Cassie discovers her mother's old journal from a past research trip to study sea turtles, she becomes determined to help preserve her mother's memories before they slip away. Through a blend of present-day narrative and journal entries, the story explores family bonds, friendship, and the ways we hold onto what matters most. The novel handles themes of loss, hope, and resilience while highlighting the intersection of science and emotion in processing difficult life changes.

Readers highlight the book's sensitive portrayal of early-onset Alzheimer's impact on a family through a child's perspective. Many note it helps kids understand dementia in relatives. Liked: - Realistic mother-daughter relationship dynamics - Integration of math concepts and space themes - Age-appropriate handling of grief and loss - Strong middle school friendships - Educational value about Alzheimer's Disliked: - Some found the pacing slow in the middle sections - Math references occasionally interrupt story flow - A few readers wanted more resolution with friend subplots Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (280+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (50+ ratings) Review quotes: "Helped my daughter understand her grandmother's condition" - Amazon reviewer "The space metaphors work perfectly with the story's themes" - Goodreads review "Math-loving kids will connect with Cassie's way of seeing the world" - School Library Journal

The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin A girl processes grief and loss through her scientific investigation of jellyfish while trying to make sense of her best friend's drowning.

See You At Harry's by Jo Knowles A middle schooler navigates family relationships and unexpected tragedy while her family's restaurant becomes the backdrop for processing grief.

The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart A girl and her father living in a school bus confront their past loss when they undertake a cross-country journey to save a memory box.

One for the Murphys by Lynda Mullaly Hunt A foster child learns to open her heart to new connections while dealing with complex feelings about her birth mother.

Rules by Cynthia Lord A girl works to understand her relationship with her autistic brother while learning what friendship and acceptance mean.

🌊 Like the main character's mother, approximately 500,000 Americans under age 65 are living with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. 🐬 The book features dolphins prominently, which are known to display mourning behavior and can remember their pod-mates' whistles for decades. 📝 Author Sandy Stark-McGinnis worked as a classroom teacher for over 25 years, bringing authenticity to her portrayal of middle school dynamics. 🧩 The title "The Space Between Lost and Found" reflects a common experience for families dealing with Alzheimer's—the period when a loved one is physically present but mentally changing. 🎨 The author's previous book, "Extraordinary Birds," also deals with themes of loss and healing through the lens of a young protagonist, establishing her specialty in writing sensitive stories about difficult topics for middle-grade readers.