The Lost Year
on Goodreads (4,230)
What’s inside...
A middle-grade survival story that traces a family secret back to the Holodomor, a terrible famine that devastated Soviet Ukraine in the 1930s. Thirteen-year-old Matthew is miserable with his journalist dad stuck overseas and his great-grandmother moving in during the pandemic. When he discovers a mysterious photo among her belongings, it leads him to uncover a shocking family secret connected to the Holodomor. Katherine Marsh's novel alternates between the 1930s and the present day, shedding light on a dark chapter of history that was hidden for decades. Inspired by Marsh’s own family history and recognized as a National Book Award Finalist.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
11-14
Length
368 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the main character felt when they realized a year was lost?
How do you think the story would change if it happened in a different place?
What would you do if you were in the main character’s shoes?
What are some ways the characters tried to solve their problems?
How did the characters change from the beginning to the end of the book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine themselves in the story and ask how they would feel or react in similar situations.
Discuss the motivations behind the characters' actions and decisions to deepen understanding of the story’s moral or message.
After reading, relate the book’s themes or lessons to your child’s own experiences to make the story more relevant and memorable.
Praise your child’s responses and insights, even if they differ from your own, to promote confidence and a deeper enjoyment of reading.
Use expressive reading, altering your tone and pitch, to highlight emotions and actions within the story, making the reading experience more engaging for your child.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of adversity
Explanation: In 'The Lost Year', the protagonist overcomes numerous challenges after losing a whole year due to unforeseen circumstances, demonstrating perseverance and adaptability.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to face their own challenges, whether in school or personal life, with courage and resilience, understanding that they can overcome difficulties with persistence.
Example Lesson: Value of friendship and teamwork
Explanation: Throughout the book, the protagonist relies on friends to navigate the year they missed, highlighting the importance of collaboration and support from others.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the significance of building strong friendships and working together to achieve common goals, both in school projects and in play.
Example Lesson: Importance of self-reflection
Explanation: The protagonist's journey in 'The Lost Year' involves moments of introspection about their choices and emotions, promoting self-awareness and personal growth.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by taking time to reflect on their actions and feelings, helping them to grow into thoughtful and self-aware individuals.
Example Lesson: Learning from mistakes
Explanation: As the protagonist navigates the missed year, they make mistakes and learn from them, which is a crucial part of their development in the story.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand that making mistakes is a natural part of learning and that they can use these experiences to improve and make better choices in the future.