The Ostrich and Other Lost Things

by Beth Hautala

In this beautifully written novel, the bonds and challenges of caring for a sibling with autism are bravely explored, along with the pain and power that comes from self-discovery.

Eleven-year-old Olivia Grant has a knack for finding lost things. She can find lost rings, pets, and even her elderly neighbor's misplaced glasses. There's only one thing Olivia has never been able to find--her brother Jacob's toy ostrich. It wasn't until the day Jacob lost his ostrich that Olivia noticed how different he was: Jacob is autistic, and though she's his little sister, Olivia often feels like the older of the pair, his caretaker. And with her parents so heavily focused on maintaining status quo for Jacob, it's Olivia who has stagnated in his shadow--unable to explore new opportunities, or to be her own person. In fact, apart from being Jacob's sister, Olivia's not really sure who she is.

So when summer break begins, and the local community theater announces auditions for an all children's production of her favorite show, Peter Pan, Olivia jumps at the chance to claim something for herself. But what begins as a promising opportunity and a wonderful escape quickly becomes pure chaos. The visiting zoo with an odd assortment of animals--including an ostrich that causes even more trouble than Jacob's missing toy--only make matters worse, as Olivia's summer is shaping up to be just as consumed by Jacob's needs as the rest of her life has been.

In time, and with the help of some unlikely alliances, Olivia must learn what it means to be separate from her brother and still love him, how to love herself in spite of her own flaws, and that not all lost things are meant to be found.

Genres: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Fiction, Family, Childrens, Friendship

288 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2018

About the author

Beth Hautala lives with her family in northern Minnesota, where she strives to write stories that tie heart and imagination together.

Reviews

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

A glimpse into life of the younger sister of an autistic 13-year-old that is bursting with humanity and grace, and includes a wayward ostrich named Ethel. When a temporary zoo is set up close to Olivia's house, the resident ostrich triggers a memory of her brother's missing ostrich toy figure. In Olivia's mind, her brother Jason was calmer and more content when toy ostrich was around. She is determined to use her superpower to find lost things to find that ostrich. As we follow Olivia through her summer, we see her learn more about loving her brother and what "normal" really means. I loved reading her story and hope you will, too.

[Bam Bam · Rating 5 out of 5]

เป็นหนังสือที่น่าสนใจ และทำให้ร้องไห้ได้ในตอนจบ เป็นความจริงที่เรามักจะกังขาในความเป็นตัวเองอยู่เสมอแต่ไม่มีใครในโลกที่สมบูรณ์แบบ เราต้องเรียนรู้ที่จะรักในความไม่สมบูรณ์แบบนั้นของกันและกัน

[ดินสอ สีไม้ · Rating 5 out of 5]

แม้จะเป็นคนอ่านหนังสือแบบไม่สนใจสัญลักษณ์
หรือเนื้อหาระหว่างบรรทัด
แต่เล่มนี้ ผู้เขียนก็ใส่ลงมาได้น่าสนใจมาก
และเราก็สัมผัสมันได้หลายจุด

เนื้อเรื่องภายในเล่ม
สนุกตามมาตรฐานวรรณกรรมเยาวชน
แต่ความละเอียดอ่อนทางอารมณ์ความรู้สึกของผู้คนในเรื่อง
เราว่าผู้เขียนทำได้ดีเกินคำว่าวรรณกรรมเยาวชนไปไกลค่ะ
เป็นหนังสือที่ผู้ใหญ่อ่านได้
และก็น่าจะสัมผัสได้ถึงความรู้สึกอีกแบบที่ต่างไปจากเด็ก
เราชอบเล่มนี้นะ .. ชอบมากๆ เลยด้วย

[Jamie Erickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quality middle grade fiction always has two characteristics, in my opinion.
1. The story has to show the truth of humanity but also provide some kind of redemption. Tweens don't need to read stories that leave them with no resolve, no answers, no take-aways. Messy endings are too much for their hearts to hold.
2. When touching on some heavy themes, the story should be written in such a way that a child can feel the weight of DIFFICULT without being crushed by it.

The Ostrich and Other Lost Things does both. It provides the quirky, yet lovable characters of The Penderwicks and the complex themes of a Kate DiCamillo novel.

11-year-old Olivia Grant has reached an age when her older brother's autism diagnosis begins to mean new things for her and her family. She struggles to find her place in this delicate sibling relationship. In her misguided effort to help him find NORMAL, she learns a powerful lesson about unconditional love.

If you have a desire to help cultivate compassion, empathy, and the selfless love of siblings, run (don't walk) to snatch it up.

[Nichole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beth Hautala has delivered a story that reaches far beyond the pages of a book and leaves a lasting impression. The reader is invited into a world that they may not already be familiar with and does so in an honest and tender way.

Over a summer of traveling zoos, runaway ostriches, theater, and new friendships, eleven-year-old Olivia just wants her life to be "normal". She would love to perform in the local theater's production of Peter Pan and have just one thing all to herself - Olivia's moment to be noticed. But, it really isn't that simple. And what would "normal" mean, anyway?

Olivia and her parents spend a great deal taking care of and focusing on her thirteen-year-old autistic brother, Jacob. Oftentimes that may mean that Olivia doesn't always get to do things just for herself or how she may want to do them. Also, Jacob's autism seems to be getting progressively worse and so the family must continue to adjust for his needs. Olivia has an idea on how she can make it all better. Olivia believes she can pinpoint exactly when Jacob's autism began to worsen - when he lost his toy ostrich. Olivia, who is known for finding anything, is determined to find Jacob's lost toy so she can help her brother and get things back to the way they were.

The Ostrich and Other Lost Things is a poignant story that understands the difficulties and the countless tests of unconditional love. Sibling-hood, parent-child relationships, and even friendships are complex and require nurturing, understanding, forgiveness and sometimes a little bit of space. Olivia and Jacob's relationship is one full of love, grace and a mutual bond that is especially significant. Beth Hautala ushers the reader beyond the autism and reminds you that this is a family of individuals - each one with their own struggles, shortcomings, and needs. However, what I have loved most in this story was the realization of Jacob.

The Ostrich and Other Lost Things is a book that I would recommend to readers young and old. We can all take something beautiful from this book.

I have given The Ostrich and Other Lost Things 5/5 stars

[gigibobobooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully crafted work. Middle school read that is able to capture readers in all ages.

[Cathy Mealey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tops on my shelf for books about sibling relationships and autism.

Right next to RULES by Cynthia Lord.

Will someone now please write the story of a neurotypical brother whose sister has autism?

[Cindy Chipman · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son is autistic and I have autistic tendencies. This book was painfully spot on when it described how embarrassing and frustrating caring for someone with autism can feel. Why can’t we just go to the store like normal people without having a meltdown because our socks feel itchy? What happens when my son hits puberty and we add hormones to the mix? And then autism in girls can look differently. They watch everyone and try desperately to mimic “normal” behavior to fit in. The main character reminded me of myself and experiences I had and painful thoughts I still struggle with. Everyone on the spectrum is very different and unique, but reading this story can help the reader better understand families who have this struggle. I really liked how the author portrayed the difficulties without adding any extra evil elements to the story. There was no abuse or bullies, just good people trying to deal with a hard situation. Highly recommend this book.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

While we don’t experience autism or other similar disorders, Olivia and her family’s searching demonstrated nearly the emotions we struggle through day after day in our particular situation. Multiple times I looked up from reading and said, “This is exactly how it feels!” Or, “That happens to us!” While the story has closure, I do realize that too, isn’t normal or even typical, as every child and situation is different.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was well written. I appreciated how the author showed the complexities of trying to protect someone without inhibiting their independence and how this constant struggle to maintain an equilibrium can be exhausting. The subtlety the author used in explaining how we lash out or thoughtlessly hurt others and how we might forgive and be forgiven was lovely. I liked the overall message of accepting people as they are....the metaphor with the leaves was superb.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written, well thought out story around the hardships and growth that takes place in the lives of a family when things aren't going the way you thought they "should".
I read this book all cozy in my bed reading it ot loud to my two daughters this summer and fall. It was well worth the time. We all loved it.

[Dedra Gober · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had a great plot line. It kept me
Intrigued and focused. There was never anything predictable, from the meltdowns of Jacob, to the thoughts of Olivia, to Ethel the ostrich... although Olivia had a lot of life lessons in this summer between 6th and 7th grade, I learned a lot from this novel.

[Gabrielis Bandzius · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good book

[Jenna Barnhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful tale about the challenges of having a sibling with autism. The Ostrich and Other Lost Things is full of memorable characters, compelling moments, and surprises, making it a very heartwarming and magical read. loved it!

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was excellent. I am planning on having my 13 and 15 year olds read this next.

[Fonfoniny · Rating 5 out of 5]

"สิ่งที่หายไปน่ะสำคัญ บางครั้งมันสำคัญกว่าเดิมก็เพราะมันหายไปนั่นแหละ"

นกกระจอกเทศกับสิ่งที่หลงหายและพี่ชายของฉัน

เรื่องของโอลิเวีย เด็กหญิงวัย11ปี ผู้มีความสามารถพิเศษในการหาของที่หายไป ยกเว้นตุ๊กตุ่นนกกระจอกเทศขอ���พี่ชายออทิสติกของเธอ ที่หาเท่าไรก็ไม่ไม่เจอ แล้วมันดันสำคัญมากเสียด้วย เพราะเมื่อมันหายไป เจค็อบก็อาละวาดหนักขึ้น พ่อแม่ที่ม��กทุ่มเทความสนใจให้พี่ชายอยู่แล้ว ก็ยิ่งทวีความสนใจยิ่งขึ้นไปอีก ในบ้านที่ทุกอย่างดูเหมือนจะหมุนรอบตัวเจค็อบ โอลิเวียจึงรู้สึกอึดอัดและไร้ตัวตน อันเนื่องมาจาก"ความไม่ปกติ"ของพี่ชาย

เธอจึงทุมเทตามหานกกระจอกเทศหนักขึ้น ด้วยคิดว่ามันเป็นสิ่งสำคัญที่จะทำให้ครอบครัว"ปกติ"เสียที

วรรณกรรมเล่มนี้เป็นเรื่องราวของเด็กคนหนึ่งพยายามค้นหาสิ่งสำคัญในชีวิตและตัวตนที่แท้จริงของตนเอง การเรียนรู้ที่รักตนเองและใครสักคนโดยเนื้อเเท้ แม้ว่าเราหรือใครคนนั้นจะไม่สมบูรณ์แบบ เพราะทุกสิ่งล่วนสวยงามในแบบของมัน

เวลาของหาย คุณต้องเปลี่ยนวิธีคิดก่อน คุณแค่หาสิ่งที่ทำหายไปไม่ได้หรอก คุณต้องหาของที่ที่มันไม่ควรอยู่ต่างหาก

"ความยุติธรรมไม่เกี่ยวกับว่าคนสองคนได้หรือมีสิ่งเดียวกันนะ ความยุติธรรมมันเกี่ยวกับว่า คนสองคนได้รับสิ่งที่เขาต้องการอย่างเพียงพอในเวลาที่พวกเขาต้องการ"

บางครั้งความจริงก็เป็นแบบนี้แหละ มีความจริงที่สวยงสามและความจริงที่ไม่สวยงามนัก

ทุกคนล้ทำผิดพลาด แต่ความรักไม่มีวันผิด และไม่เคยยอมแพ้

"การพยายามแก้ผิดเป็นถูกน่ะ คือ ความกล้าหาญ"

บางครั้งเมื่อคุณอยากได้อะไรมากๆ คุณจะปล่อยตัวปล่อยใจหลอกตัวเองว่า มันคือความจริง ทว่าการหลอกตัวเองแบบนั้นไม่ได้ทำให้เรื่องจริงเป็นเรื่องจริงน้อยลงเลย---มันแค่ปกปิดความจริงไว้แป๊ปเดียว และพอมันจริงเกินกว่าจะปกปิดต่อไป ความจริงนั้นมันก็เป็นความจริงแบบที่เป็นมาตลอดนั่นแหละ

ฉันรู้ว่าไม่มีอะไรจะทำให้เราปกติได้หรอก เพราะคำว่า"ปกติ"น่ะไม่ใช่อะไรสักอย่างเลย มันก็แค่สีเขียวที่ปกปิดสีที่แท้จริงข้างใต้

การบอกความจริงให้คนที่รักตัวตนเราโดยเนื้อแท้ฟัง ให้คนที่เห็นสีจริงๆในตัวเราฟังนั้นไม่ได้เปลี่ยนความรักไปเลย ซี่งนี่ก็คือสิ่งสำคัญ ยังไงก็คือความรัก

"คนที่พูดอะไรทำร้ายคนอื่นหรือทำอะไรทำร้ายคนอื่นน่ะ มันแย่นะ แต่ทั้งหมดนี่มันสอนฉันว่า เมื่อไรที่เราทำร้ายใครสักคนที่เรารัก ไม่ว่าจะบังเอิญหรือตั้งใจ เราย้อนกลับไปได้เสมอ ไปจัดการตรงจุดที่มันพังน่ะ พวกเขาคงไม่เหมือนอย่างที่เคยเป็นเป๊ะๆหรอก แต่สุดท้ายแล้วพวกเขาจะดีขึ้น เข้มแข็งขึ้น"

การได้รับความรักน่ะยิ่งใหญ่ แข็งแรง และสำคัญกว่าการหายไปอีก การได้รับความรักทำให้เรามีค่า ทำให้เรามีค่าพอที่จะตามหา ---ไม่ว่าอย่างไรความรักทำให้เกิดความเป็นไปได้ที่จะหาเจอ

เราทุกคนล้วนมีบางส่วนที่หลงหายไป และมีบางส่วนที่หาเจอ ซึ่งทั้งสองแบบล้วนสวยงาม

[Yapha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very heartfelt and raw portrayal of what it is like growing up with an older sibling who is autistic. All Olivia wants is for her family to be normal. Due to her brother Jacob's meltdowns and insistence on things being done certain ways, she feels that sense of normal slipping further and further away. Give this to readers who liked Rain Reign and Counting by 7s. Recommended for grades 4 & up.

[The Bookworm❜ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading this book at 10:30 pm on January 24th. I told myself, "Okay, just read for half an hour."

I ended up going to sleep at midnight because I may have lost track of time.

yOU hEaRd NotHinG

Anyways, I absolutely fell in love with this book. Olivia Grant is just a normal eleven year old kid, with a not so normal brother, Jacob, that has autism. Olivia has a knack for finding lost things- except for one thing. Jacob's toy ostrich. Olivia believes Jacob's autism has gotten worse since he lost it.
Since most of her parents' attention has been devoted to Jacob, Olivia feels like she hasn't been heard by them, and with her devoting time to helping Jacob too, Olivia hasn't been able to do things for herself.
Until summer breaks comes around, and with it a play for Olivia's all-time favorite book: Peter Pan. She's excited at the chance to finally do something for herself, without Jacob there to ruin everything like he always does. But what starts off fun quickly spirals into chaos, and the visiting zoo with a troubling ostrich isn't helping.
Olivia's summer turns sour as she feels consumed by everything Jacob needs, lost things, and not finding who SHE truly is.

Beth Hautala does an amazing job of showcasing Olivia's emotions and reactions, and I was sucked right in. It makes you FEEL. This isn't some book that you abandon halfway because it's bOrIng. This isn't a book that makes you feel dull and walk away having learned nothing- except for maybe a random fact on earwax. I had to stop myself continuing on reading, because I would've gone to sleep at 1:00 am if I kept on going. I cried on parts in this book, and I walked away with something much better than a random fact on earwax.

What was that thing I walked away with, you ask? Why don't you read this book and find out for yourself.

[Joy Kirr · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this quick read - mostly because I was thinking of my own students - those on the Autism spectrum, and those with siblings who are on the spectrum. It had a TON of tangents that readers could follow, making it more of a middle-grade book than a young adult book (and less interesting to me this summer - it almost seemed hokey in the last couple of chapters - so many “lessons learned”). I know I’ll have students who will understand and empathize with eleven-year-old Olivia and her brother Jacob.

[Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was good enough on it's own. I wouldn't have tried to end it any differently.

The book wasn't really relatable to me, but I could understand a lot of what Olivia was feeling. She was getting upset because she was a lot different from her brother. Kinda like how I am different from mine. I liked that Olivia tried helping her brother.

I would recommend the books to others as well.

[Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a girl who's older brother has autism and how she help him get through it.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet book and well written.

[Kenya Starflight · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is actually similar to another book I've read about a kid with an autistic sibling, Rules. But just because two books have similar subject material doesn't mean one is a ripoff of the other -- both books just tell the story in different ways. And The Ostrich and Other Lost Things ends up being a revealing look at how a family copes with a neurodivergent child, and how complicated one's feelings can get when it comes to a sibling with special needs.

Olivia has a knack for finding lost things -- glasses, keys, pets, etc. The one thing she cannot find, however, is her brother's toy ostrich that went missing months ago. And since it seems that Jacob's autistic traits have gotten worse since the loss of his ostrich, Olivia is determined to find it and make things go back to how they were before. As she searches for the ostrich and struggles to figure out her feelings regarding her brother and how her life seems to revolve around him, she ends up getting involved in a theatrical production, getting in trouble at the local zoo (and befriending the zookeeper's son), and even having to solve a mystery revolving around a real-life ostrich that keeps showing up in her backyard!

This book manages to deal with a tricky topic in a sensitive manner. Having an autistic family member is not a simple matter, and kids can be left feeling mixed emotions regarding their sibling. They can definitely feel like their entire family revolves around their neurodivergent sibling, and wish said sibling was "normal" or "better" while still loving them. There is definitely some anger and resentment involved, but also the fierce love that exists between siblings.

Olivia is not a perfect character, but that makes the book all the stronger -- she still loses her temper with her parents and makes mistakes in dealing with her friends, just like a real kid. She has her own passions and abilities, and her own secret fears. I also appreciate that Jacob is his own unique character, and has his own quirks instead of just being a laundry list of autism symptoms. It can be very easy to stereotype autistic people in fiction, but this book avoids that. Charlie, Olivia's friend, is also a lot of fun.

The Ostrich and Other Lost Things is a poignant read, one that captures the messy but loving family dynamics in play when a family member is on the neurodivergent spectrum.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I read this well-written middle grade novel, I couldn't help thinking of Cynthia Lord's Rules, which covers similar territory, only in this case, Jacob, the protagonist's brother, is two years older than she is rather than younger as David is in Rules. While there's no possible romantic interest as there was between Catherine and Jason, there is a new friend, Charlie, who is blind. in this book, set in Prue, Oklahoma, eleven-year-old Olivia Grant is starting to chafe at the challenges and restrictions caused by life with her thirteen-year-old brother Jacob, who is on the autism spectrum. To Olivia, his behavior seems to be getting worse and more embarrassing, especially now that he's lost his beloved stuffed ostrich. Olivia, who is known for finding lost things, becomes increasingly determined to find that toy so that Jacob will start to behave more normally. She enlists the help of Charlie, the zookeeper's son. A part of the zoo has been parceled out to small communities like Prue while the main one in Tulsa is being renovated, and Olivia's trespassing at the zoo site leads to her being assigned community service hours. Although she loves her brother, she desperately wants to have something that is her very own, an ambition that is thwarted when she tries out for a role in the community theater production of Peter Pan, and her parents insist that Jacob should be allowed to participate as well. The author does an excellent job of describing how Olivia's moment of triumph is ruined by Jacob's unhappiness about wearing itchy jeans as well as depicting Olivia's own fears that her behavior might be signs of latent autism. The author doesn't miss a beat here in creating a loving family under pressure but trying to support one another as much as possible. Olivia's harsh words to her brother and her lack of empathy toward him and Charlie at times seem realistic. The only thing that made me wince was how often Jacob was referred to as autistic rather than having autism. This title is sure to open up some hearts and minds while also presenting much food for thought and discussion about what being normal is. As I read the book, I kept thinking of Jacob's remarks about the true colors of trees being revealed in the fall and how all of us are a little bit lost and a little bit found as Olivia comes to realize.

[Ai · Rating 5 out of 5]

"ความรู้สึกแบบนั้นมันจะเป็นยังไงกันนะ"

บางทีเมื่อเรายินยอมให้อีกคนเป็นอย่างที่เขาเป็น โดยไม่ต้องแสแสร้ง เราก็จะไม่รู้สึกกลัวหรือกระอักกระอ่วนอีกต่อไป

ฉันคิดว่า ทุกๆคน มีความไม่ปกติเล็กๆน้อยๆ ไม่ทางใดก็ทางหนึ่งกันทั้งนั้น และบางทีถ้าเราบอกความจริงซึ่งกันและกัน ถึงเรื่องความไม่ปกตินี้มากขึ้นอีกหน่อย การได้เป็นสีสันที่แตกต่างกันมันอาจจะง่ายขึ้น ฉันคิดว่าครอบครัวฉันอาจจะเป็นสีต่างๆนาๆ แตาเราแกล้งทำว่าทุกอย่างปกติ สวมชุดใบไม้สีเขียวเอาไว้

ไม่ว่ายังไงก็ตาม โลกใบนี้มีผู้คนแตกต่างกันมากมาย นี้นและที่ทำให้โลกนี้สวยงามและน่าสนใจ

ชาร์ลีกับพี่ฉัน และนกกระจอกเทศหนึ่งตัว แสดงให้ฉันรู้วิธีที่เรามองเข้าไปในคนอื่น มองในจุดที่เขาเป็นจริงๆ จุดที่เขาหายไป และรักเขา ไม่ว่าเขาจะเป็นยังไงก็ตาม

พวกเขาสอนฉันว่า ทุกคนมีสี และหากเรายังแสร้งเป็นคนอื่น เราะจะไม่มีวันหาใครเจอ และไม่มีวันได้รับความรัก และการยังรัก แม้ในช่วงเวลาที่ยากลำบากนั้น สำคัญเหลือเกิน

[Tanan · Rating 4 out of 5]

โอลิเวียวัย 11 ขวบ เป็นเด็กหญิงที่หาของหายเก่งมาก กิตติศัพท์ขึ้นชื่อลือชาจนผู้คนในละแวกนั้นตามตัวเธอไปช่วยหาของเป็นประจำ ครอบครัวเธออบอุ่น พ่อแม่เลี้ยงดูดี และโอลิเวียมีพี่ชายอีกคน

แต่พี่ชายเป็นออทิสติก

ตลอดเวลาที่ผ่านมาทั้งเธอและพ่อแม่ต่างเอาใจใส่และรู้วิธีปฏิบัติตัวกับพี่ชายตามตำราเป๊ะ จนวันหนึ่ง ตุ๊กตานกกระจอกเทศตัวโปรดของพี่ชายหายไป ตั้งแต่นั้นมาพี่ชายเริ่มมีอารมณ์รุนแรงมากขึ้นเรื่อย ๆ

โอลิเวียจึงตัดสินใจออกตามหาตุ๊กตาตัวนั้น ก่อนที่ทุกอย่างจะสายเกินไป

*********

ในวรรณกรรมเด็กเราจะเห็นพัฒนาการของตัวละครเด็กเสมอ ซึ่งในเรื่องนี้คือโอลิเวียที่พยายามทำในสิ่งที่ตัวเองฝัน ไปพร้อม ๆ กับรับมือกับพฤติกรรมที่คาดเดาไม่ได้ของพี่ชาย

เล่มนี้ไม่หวือหวาแต่มีเสน่ห์ชวนประทับใจในตัวมันเอง โดยเฉพาะใครที่คนใกล้ตัวเป็นออทิสติก เล่มนี้อ่านแล้วอาจจะอินเป็นพิเศษ

ตอนจบอบอุ่นซาบซึ้งประทับใจครับ

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a review copy of this book.
Ostrich and Other Lost Things is the story of the challenges of family life, especially when one of the siblings has autism. Olivia knows how to find things when they are lost, and is hyper focused on finding a lost ostrich toy her brother lost. She believes if finds it, the ostrich will make life better for Jacob who has autism.
There’s a play, a traveling zoo with a real ostrich, family and friendship challenges along the way. What makes this book 5 stars is the fact that the author Beth Hautala doesn’t shy away from developing the wide spectrum of feelings Olivia has with her relationship with her brother. Olivia is real and middle grade readers will appreciate the authenticity of her character.

[Jillian Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful! Profound! One of those books that you will continue to think about long after you have read the last word.

Olivia spends her summer trying to figure out who she is, who her brother is and just how to live life when things always seem to be lost. Olivia’s brother is autistic and it seems as if it is getting worse. Although Olivia is gifted in finding lost things, she can’t find her brother’s lost toy ostrich. Throughout the summer she methodically searches familiar places and in the process discovers that not all missing things are lost.

Beth Hautala writes a beautiful story of growing up, understanding others, and learning to be yourself always. Get a copy! You won’t regret it😊

[Kyah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a thoughtful story of a young girl Olivia, trying to navigate the world with a variety of familial challenges, growing pains, and impulsive decisions. Olivia is relatable to many kids who feel the weight of managing other people's emotions. Olivia feels it is her "job" to keep herself and her family operating smoothly, amidst challenges. Olivia is a great character to learn from as she is written in a way which explores her many facets and allows for a deep sympathy with her character. With the help of her friend Charlie, her parents and a few other supportive adults Olivia comes full circle and learns how to more effectively deal with the struggles in her path, and a runaway ostrich.

[Kristi Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great clean book appropriate for middle schoolers! This story is told from the POV of a sister with an austistic brother. She is know for helping people find things. She is on a mission to find her brother's long lost ostrich because she believes it helps his autism. She reads an advertisement on a bulletin board for casting for a children's theater in a town 30 miles away, and she wants to actually do something for herself, Something that is her own and has nothing to do with her brother because everything revolves around him. Will she be able to audition for the play and find the ostrich?

Language: None
Violence: The autistic brother shows signs of violence.
Sex: None