3.9 stars. There is a lot to like in Orson Scott Card's new book, but a bit I didn't like.
The characters are great and Ezekiel and Beth (and Ezekiel's father, I think he was my favorite) really grew on me. The plot was also compelling, with Ezekiel trying to figure out how his "micropower" to return lost things can work to find a missing girl and be of some real use. While the first half would be fine for younger YA (the main characters are 14 and 15), it definitely got a darker tone later on that will probably go over better with more mature teens. There were also some unexpected twists along the way that definitely caught me off guard.
The banter was another thing all together. Sometimes I enjoyed the snark and intellectual pingpong-ing, sometimes it felt like it was going on a little too long when other more interesting things could be happening. My favorite part was in the middle when it was just the detective working the missing person's case and Ezekiel trying to locate the missing girl or Ezekiel and his father. This banter felt sincere and genuine and not overdone, while it was annoying when Ezekiel was talking to just about anyone else. Also, some of the :worldbuilding" got a little heavy. I liked that it was possible to reason through why Ezekiel's "talent" worked in a certain way, but sometimes the constant restatements got a little tedious. Another thing that is a little tricky for me is that while the book is technically "clean" (speaking as a Children's librarian who gets a lot of requests from parents looking for "clean" stuff for their teens), with minimal cursing, only mild references to sex, and no serious violence, the subject matter went to a darker place than I expected it to (although I should have since this is the man who wrote "Ender's Game"). While I enjoyed the higher stakes and felt like the subject was handled delicately without glorifying it, it might be a unpleasant surprise to readers after the really tame first half.

Overall this is an exciting mystery with sci-fi elements, (mostly) funny banter, and a beautiful platonic friendship and father-son relationship mixed in.

Lost and Found is a book of everyday superheroes. Labeled “micropowers” by the characters, these powers are things that seem useless to those who have them - none more so than Ezekiel, who sees no use to his power of finding lost objects like scrunchies (since who would want a dirty scrunchie back?). Throughout this story of friendship, loss, family, and loneliness, Ezekiel finds out just how powerful these small micropowers can be.

I found the characters to be wonderfully weird and likable. Ezekiel, his dad, Beth, and Shank in particular - and even the side characters - are intriguing. Their relationships delve into the ideas of what it means to be a friend or a family.

I thought this story developed very well. By a little less than halfway through I was hooked so much that I couldn’t put it down for the rest. Part mystery story, part superhero tale, and part story of family, friendship, and coming of age, this book has quite a bit of depth to it. I would be interested to read more about these characters and the others with micro powers and how they develop in future books.

Many thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for the free copy to review in exchange for my honest opinions.

4 1/2 stars rounded up. I actually loved this book.

Ezekiel has a knack for finding lost things and knowing who the owner is. Only problem is, when he used to try to return them, the cops got involved, assuming he was the one who took it.

Beth has proportional dwarfism, so even though she is 14 years old, she looks like a 6-year old- a very witty one.

Add to that some micro powers and you have an extremely engaging read that kept me smiling throughout.

These two unlikely characters come together in a funny collision of banter and self-discovery. I loved their relationship, loved the dad and his support for his son, and loved Shank and his role in the book.

This book does discuss topics such as kidnapping, sex trafficking and death. Probably for YA and older. I would allow my pre-teen to read this only if I was there to have discussions about what is presented- all the deep stuff.

I really enjoyed paying through this book; the storyline kept me intrigued the entire time. O haven’t read any of the authors previous works yet, so I can’t make any assumptions to how it stands next to his others, but as a standalone, I would recommend this to my tweens/teens.
The one issue I had with this book was with the characters. The dialogue was fast paced and extremely witty, and it almost made it seem a bit unrealistic. There’s no way, in real Life, that every other person you come into contact with is able to speak with such big words, fast paced, and strongly sarcastic.

Okay, this book started off pretty interesting. Ezekiel is a snarky, intelligent young man with a wonderful father. The initial bantering between Ezekiel and Beth were quite humorous, but after a while it got a bit old. The plot drags a bit. I got bored. Then things finally happen, thank goodness because I was debating giving up when the plot pace picked up again.
The more I read the more I realized that this book was going to be tied up in a pretty bow, and it was. This book could have been parred down a bit to streamlined it and not to have such a giant lag in the centre of it. 288 pages felt longer than it actually was, but that said, it was still a pretty good book about a younger man finding his centre and trying to help people by using the abilities only he has. It’s just a little slow in the middle. If you can power through that, you’re golden.

I've read most of OSC's pre-2000 works, and my favorites are Ender's Game, Speaker for the Dead, Enchantment, Lost Boys, and Treasure Box. I mention this because it means I haven't read any of OSC's recent work or anything that has been predominantly marketed as young adult rather than sci-fi/fantasy.

Perhaps because of this, I am a little baffled by Lost and Found. I can't tell who the audience for this is supposed to be. Similar to Ender's Game, it has some very dark themes, but the main character is a 14-year old boy.

In some ways, it is classic OSC. Our main character is a quirky smartass who is (initially) deeply unhappy. The dialogue is fast-paced and a little outré. The plot meanders, but in a way I know will go somewhere because OSC is a very good storyteller. If you usually love OSC books and also like YA lit, you will probably like this one.

Here's my main issue. There are 5 victims of accidental death, murder, or kidnapping in this book, and every victim (with the exception of an unnamed mook at the end that I'm not including in the above count) is a girl or woman. These acts of violence are major drivers of the plot. As a member of this gender, I found this extremely off-putting. It would be concerning in an adult piece of fiction, and I find it even more disturbing in what seems to be a YA book. I concede that people may have differing viewpoints on gender and these people are free to live their best lives as they see fit, but I recoil when women/girls are predominantly used as plot devices in mainstream fiction to motivate male characters into action. Beth's case is tempered somewhat by her being an independent character who takes care of herself, but it's still portrayed as a finite solution with men rescuing her.

Here are some other concerns I had while reading:

This book also includes mention of serious and disturbing crimes (a child pornography ring). While there are no explicit details, this felt like an odd inclusion for a YA book. I don't think it's actually necessary.

I'm not digging for virtue points here, but I wonder if a sensitivity reader was engaged about the portrayal of a proportional dwarf character. It's an element brought up again and again through the book-- the character being infantilized and the main character coming to her defense-- so I wonder if someone with experience assessed if this was done respectfully.

ARC obtained from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and independent review.

This book started in a way that led me to believe I knew what kind of story I was about to read and then turned 180º degrees and left me looking around myself looking for clues. It's the cover's fault. I could not resist it.
If you want a bad summary about this book here it is: a bunch of superheroes kids except they aren't superheroes because all their powers either suck or are totally useless
I didn't care much for the story after realizing that it wasn't going to end the way I expected it too but I loved the characters all the way, mainly the interactions between them that were filled with humor, snarkiness, and irony.
This is not exactly a single story but a space in time in Ezekiel's life where a lot happens and he just has to go with it.
Throughout all of that, we get to read a lot about friendship and see how much Beth (who is freaking amazing) changes his life for the better. This book could have gone with so many different directions without changing a single thing about its characters, that's how real they are.
Also, I really loved that there were characters in here that were on the autism spectrum and how the author treated them.
Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone for this ARC.

*I received a free, digital ARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

I have honestly never read any of Orson Scott Card’s works (under this name or any of his five million pseudonyms) which might surprise some of you considering I love science fiction and fantasy. I know a lot of people gush over Ender’s Game and I wonder how it compares to Lost and Found. I wasn’t super impressed, but I also wasn’t let down. This book is listed as a “young adult” novel but it reads very “middle grade”, which isn’t an issue but definitely worth noting for future readers.
Lost and Found follows Ezekiel Blast as he learns to develop his “micropower” - the ability to find lost objects and return them to the owner. Up to this point he’s always hidden it because friends, neighbors, and the local police have always assumed he stole the items first. That is, until an undercover police officer tries to enlist Ezekiel’s help to find a kidnapped child. Ezekiel has never used his ability this way but, with the help of his best friend Beth, they push his limits to see what his micropower can really achieve.
Lost and Found is a science fiction (one might argue it’s magical realism) book without being too sciency; I definitely liked this because it opened the narrative for Ezekiel to explore his abilities in a scientific way without the weight of the background knowledge sometimes needed for science fiction. It was enjoyable to see his character growth through this lense as his past wasn’t particularly positive in terms of his micropower - this growth was a major pro for this book.
Another facet that Card was great at utilizing was humor and character relations. All of his characters have this wit and intelligence about them that make reading their dialogue enjoyable. They bantered, they cajoled, but they were also developing positive relationships and learning how to trust each other throughout the whole book. A downside of this, though, is that I felt a lot of the characters were incredibly similar in the ways they talked and interacted with one another. I don’t think I’ve ever met so many sarcastically intelligent people than this book contained. They were fun to read at least.
My biggest downfall is the pacing of the plot. I felt like it dragged an awful lot, especially toward the beginning. Ezekiel is pushing his powers but it’s very slow and there is a LOT of talking about his powers. So much so that it became a bit repetitive for me, rehashing and restating conversations with different people throughout the whole book. This was a bit tiresome over time. This is going to sound strange since I just stated the plot dragged, but I also felt there were parts where the action happened too fast as well. Transitions between scenes were odd and felt erratic to me, where I felt they could have been more flushed out to show more development in narrative or world building.
Overall, I’m giving Lost and Found 3 out of 5 Awesome Austin Points. It wasn’t the best book I’ve ever read but it was enjoyable with likeable characters and great humor. The use of “micropowers” was a fun concept and I’d love to see that explored more, but this was just a small taste.

I will be posting my review on my blog on September 8, 2019.

This review is based on an ARC of Lost and Found which I received courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher (Blackstone Publishing).


If you gave me this novel to read without the byline I’d assume it was by someone I’ve never read before. If you then told me that it was by a certain beloved sci-fi author who goes by three names, I’d assume either 1), you are a liar or 2), Orson Scott Card has a ghostwriter. I’m torn between thinking that Card is a phenomenal author for his ability to morph his writing capabilities into something entirely new and separate from the Enderverse and thinking that he lacks his own voice since I had no idea—except maybe through the power of suggestion—that this was an Orson Scott Card novel.

Lost and Found is described as a Sci-Fi YA novel but I’d be more inclined to label it Magical Realism. (There’s a very fine dividing line there, but still.) In a word Lost and Found is unputdownable. From the very start, I was intrigued and the curiosity never faded out. Up until the last page, I was wondering what would happen next, and next, and next. This novel put me in a “just one more chapter” mood. It revamped my love of reading and took me out of the slump I’d been suffering!

The humor of this novel is what was really endearing to me. This novel reads so much as if it comes from the head of an adolescent boy it’s almost scary. I really, really felt like Ezekiel and Beth were real people come to life, and sometimes I’d realize that they’re fictional and get a little sad. I love their platonic (possibly someday more) friendship and the dynamics of their relationship together. I loved Beth’s unique character and the notion of micropowers.

Basically, this book is an awesome addition to the Magical Realism and YA genres both, by an incredible author whom I didn’t expect a story like this to come from. I hope Lost and Found does well because I can see this being a well-loved book.

"Everything fades and goes away. But while you have it, be glad of it.”

So I'm about 1/3 of the way through this and it is... not good. I say this as someone very fond of Card's stand-alone work - Enchantment and Pastwatch are books I loved when I first read that I still deeply connect with. But this is not working so far. Like many of Card's other books, this is about a smart teenager, but Ezekiel's intelligence isn't coming across to me. I understand intellectually why he's bitter and makes fun of everyone, but I wouldn't hang out with someone as mean as him either. His dialogue doesn't read as intelligently as Card seems to think it does - Ezekiel comes across more as obnoxious than child genius.

whatever, maybe it'll get better?

UPDATE: it did not get better. The dialogue continued to think it was clever while not being so. It sort of reminded me in a weird way of why I stopped reading Terry Goodkind, which was that it felt like he was using his books as an excuse to spout his philosophy instead of creating character and plot. I respect that Card has a strong religious center and it's great to want your books to reflect/instantiate that, but you need to show not tell your ethics in order to make effective story and I felt battered over the head with them instead of inspired.

I didn't find Beth interesting as a character and the whole kidnapping plot resolved oddly. The idea of micropowers was interesting and I'm not someone who needs an explanation for speculative fiction, but if you're going to try to explain the fantastic elements, you should actually do so. I don't know why powers enhance each other and most of the subplots about other people's powers and the group didn't compel me as a reader.

Lost and Found was about one of the best books that I have read in a long time dealing with differences. Some of the most notable “differences” were a father raising his son, a teenager dealing with ostracism from his peers, and a young girl dealing with life as a “proportionate little person”. I would definitely recommend this book to my students because it would be a great way to give perspectives on real-life situations.

What a great book! I read it in one sitting. A boy who finds lost things and attempts to reunite the lost thing with its owner...except he has been accused of stealing the item in the first place too many times. The characters are great. You will laugh at some of Ezekiel's (NEVER Zeke!) thoughts and think, "Yeah, I remember thinking the same thing." Ezekiel can only locate the owner of a lost item. That's his 'micropower'. It only works on things....or does it?
Orson Scott Card never disappoints!

Title: Lost and Found
Author: Orson Scott Card
Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
Release Date: September 10, 2019
Genre: Young Adult, Middle Grade, Sci-Fi
Rating: 4 Stars

Ezekiel Blast has a talent for finding things, this ability has led people to believe he's a thief. But he isn't. He has a power, a Micro-power, opposite of superpower because what good is it finding scrunchies or toys no one remembers. Or if they do, well the accuse you of stealing it in the first place. If only he could use it to the benefit of the greater good. Beth, a girl he befriends when he thought he needed no friends, seems to think he can use it for better. After the disappearance of a little girl, is brought to his attention for help, it's up to him to find is his talent can be a super-power.

This story was great. Orson Scott Card knows how to write a good Sci-Fi, that keeps you at the edge of your seat. Ezekiel and Beth have such a sweet relationship even though they haven't known each other long. They start a friendship which seems at first only starts for mutual protection. As the story unfolds they become closer and tell each other about their pasts. Well mostly, Beth is very secretive. Beth is smart and funny, small for her age, and calls Ezekiel out when he needs it. Ezekiel is smart, cocky, has a micro-power and sometimes an ass. They help each other and realize they need each other very much. This was no Ender's Game. It proves that the Science Fiction genre has many faces, it doesn't have to be grand battles or space. Just a boy with power, he discovers, and a friend to help make sense of the world when you need it most.

Disclaimer: I received this copy from the publisher via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review

Despite the slow beginning, Lost and Found quickly picks up the pace and proves itself to be a thrilling sci-fi novel. The idea of micropowers- powers not quite as useful as your average superpower- is a phenomenal concept and ties in nicely to the coming-of-age subplot. The mystery aspects of the novel were a surprising addition and made the otherwise lacking storyline excel. Unfortunately, the weak and hastily written ending lowered the rating.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC! I was drawn to this title because of the author and the description. The book has an interesting concept: a boy who can find/sense the owners of lost things. Obviously that makes him seem a bit shady, and he has the kind of personality where he has trouble making friends anyways.
I loved the characters in this book. The protagonist and his dad have a great relationship, and Ezekial has witty banter with many characters, including his new best friend Beth, the guidance counselor at school, and other authority figures he comes in contact with. I enjoyed that part of the novel for the most part, but at the same time, some of the conversations needed cut a little shorter as I found myself losing interest and having trouble seeing them discussions as believable (he just met that counselor-would it really be a conversation like that one?). The way Ezekial uses that "power:of his and how he changes the way he uses it was neat but also a little hard to grasp as realistic at times. The unraveling of the story and how the characters get where they are-again, interesting but hard to grasp and keep feeling like I could completely get into the story. The group he ends up hanging out with is such a stretch, especially when they are involved in police work (would they really all be allowed to be involved? doubt it).
Overall, interesting concept, characters, and dialogue. Negatives were how unrealistic events and situations and some conversations were.

ARC Copy...although I found the narrative to be dragging in certain spots I did it interesting how Ezekiel's powers is both a blessing and a curse for him. One hand who can find maybe a missing girl and objects but...he might be accused of stealing due to being near said objects.

I love Orson Scott Card. This man could write a phone book and make it interesting.
Lost and Found tells the story of Ezekiel (do NOT call him Zeke) and his pain-in-the-neck, never-let-him-alone, annoyingly persistent schoolmate. Or friend. Or, well,... let's not get awkward.
Ezekiel finds things. Big things, small things: toys, strange shoes, a bicycle once. And dozens upon dozens of lost hair scrunchies. He has determined not to turn them into the Lost and Found, or-God Forbid-return them to their owners as this has caused most of the problems in his young life.
This was a pre-release galley proof, so there are one or two hiccups that passed through how many proof-readers? For instance, one conversation where a response was attributed to the wrong character. A couple of interactions seem out of sequence. Also, there appears to be some confusion about local, county, and state police forces and how they interact with the FBI. These errors dont really detract from the storytelling, I'm just a little OCD about the details.
Card does a great job of fleshing out even minor characters and I found myself rooting for some of the most unlikely. School guidance counselor, anybody?
He also addresses; fatherhood, God, grief and loss, and some truly odd and amazing talents. Speaking of talent, this author proves it takes one to shine the light on other's.

Book Review
Lost and Found
Orson Scott Card

I wish this was the novel I had hoped it would be when I first read the description. I was intrigued. I have enjoyed Orson Scott Card's work in the past. This one, not so much. I read the book courtesy of Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an objective review.

The premise of the book is really straightforward and fun. Ezekiel Blast, a 14 year old boy, can find and return lost objects to their owners – toys, socks and shoes, hair scrunches, lost coins, bicycles and lots more. Should be a great power, yes? No! It is one thing to find objects but its another to return them to their owners. They ask questions that have no believable answer, “ How do you have this? Where did you get it?” He is an outcast and a suspected thief. He has no friends until a young neighbor befriends him, despite his attempts to discourage her from doing so. When police contact him hoping he can assist in their hunt for a missing child he is reluctant to help but agrees and is successful. Then his new friend disappears, and so does my hopes for the novel. It is no longer about a boy with a special power, it now becomes a hunt for a pedophile.

Card unsuccessfully tries to appeal to a multiple of audiences. It's like changing horses midstream. Just who is his audience? Compounding the problem, the novel seems to be written in one voice (I am sure I am not saying this correctly). While the adult dialogue is believable, the kids just sound too mature to be convincing. Card has written some terrific books, so its understandable that one or two might miss the high standards he has set for himself.

Although with flaws (such as predictability and too-easy problem resolutions) the plot is solid overall. Card has obvious talent and it saves the book at times. I"m a bit old for this book, but it still has broad appeal. Recommended.

I really appreciate the ARC for review!!

Orson Scott Card shares with us the story of Ezekiel 'Blast' (Bliss). A talented boy, he is ostracized from his peers and has faced persecution from the police in the past because of his unique gift. During Grade 9, his life begins to change as he makes a friend and is approached by a detective desperately seeking a missing child. But Ezekiel doesn't find missing people - he recognizes missing things and knows who and where their owner is. Ezekiel's hunt to find his calling and the true extent of his 'micropower' is an enjoyable and identifiable journey for all middle school/upper high school students. Despite the extent to which his involvement would be allowed in 'the real world' being incredibly unrealistic, for everyone, Ezekiel is an entertaining - if somewhat snarky - young man and the relationship between him and his father is delightful. Ezekiel truly comes of age as he finds out what is important to him and where his talents lie.

A fun adventure with a highly entertaining protagonist.