This story is about Cassie, who in addition to dealing with all the drama of middle school, is also dealing with her mother's early onset dementia. Cassie has to help take care of her mom, because her mom can't be left alone any more. Cassie decides the one thing that would really help her mom is to fulfill a lifelong dream to swim with dolphins. Except the only place to do that is about 2 hours drive away and Cassie's dad is against the idea. So Cassie comes up with a plan. This is a lovely story about loss and love and how you deal with losing a loved one, if it's sudden or if it's just a little piece at a time.

My thanks to Netgalley and Bloomsbury for providing me an Advance Reading Copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Sadly, my family is well acquainted with the emotional fallout due to Alzheimer’s disease. Nevertheless, we’ve not experienced the devastation of early onset Alzheimer’s disease (meaning a patient under the age of 65 — many people when they’re in their 40s and 50s). Cassie is not yet a teenager and yet she and her mom have practically reversed their familial roles — she must now take care of her mom when her dad is not around. This means setting aside her love of soccer (and possibly her best friend) so that she can focus on what’s most important. Cassie’s biggest hope is that one day, hopefully very soon, her mom will remember her name. Why can’t she just say it?

There are threads of memories that continue to come back to Cassie — from before her mom began to lose her memory. They’d visit the beach, her mother enjoyed dancing to Cindi Lauper’s music, and her parents were so very happy and in love. Therefore, when we jump back to the present, witnessing Cassie’s mom experience this degenerative illness, it leaves us feeling helpless. There’s a very real lack of control when you never know if you’ll be remembered or how your loved one will react in different situations. The pain was even more evident as Cassie and her father slowly realize they must move forward, almost as if her mother had died. However, it was so beautifully written and it’s definitely an underrepresented topic in middle grade literature. This title will publish on Tuesday, April 28th, 2020, so be sure to order a copy!

The Space Between Lost and Found is a very sweet and sad book. It is the story of Cassie, a young girl dealing with her mother's diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer's. Her mom can no longer remember Cassie's name, and Cassie tries to decompose some memories to help her mother remember. The book includes Cassie dealing with friendships, school, her relationship with her dad, and the fight to check off items on her mom's bucket list before it's too late. It is written in such a way that you can really feel Cassie's emotions throughout the difficult process of watching someone you love become someone you don't know anymore.

The only criticism I have of this book (which may very well be due to the electronic format of the ARC) is that there are flashbacks to times before Kim got diagnosed, but it is difficult to distinguish between the time frames. The ending also left a little bit to be desired - it was sweet but I wanted a little more concrete information about what was happening.

The Space Between Lost and Found by Sandy Stark-McGinnis is a beautifully written coming-of-age story. Cassie has always admired her mother who is adventurous and dreams big. Unexpectedly, the roles have now changed as her mother has been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Her mother no longer knows Cassie’s name.
Both of my grandparents and my aunt have suffered from this terrible disease. This real-life story does a great job revealing what it is like having a family member with Alzheimer’s. I also love that this book can be read by younger students since it does not contain controversial issues. The Space Between Lost and Found will tug at your heart and make you smile.

I finished reading The Space Between Lost and Found two days ago, and I’m still collecting my thoughts. It’s one of those “Wow!” books that just sits with you. It’s an emotionally intelligent read that looks at incremental loss in an honest and accessible way.

Cassie is mature for her age. The circumstances have forced her to grow up quickly in so many ways. And yet, all she wants is her mom to hold her; to call her by her name.

There’s a couple of interesting parent-child dynamics that play out in The Space Between Lost and Found. More and more, Cassie finds herself becoming the mother to her own mom. At the same time, Cassie’s dad doesn’t give Cassie the ability to make the decisions that come with being a parent. He’s focused on keeping Mom safe while Cassie is focused on quality experiences. In the end, they realize than not only are both important, but they are better when they coexist.

While The Space Between Lost and Found is specifically about Alzheimer’s disease, Cassie’s experiences and her feelings will ring true to any reader who has had a family member experience a physical or mental illness. The unpredictability of the changes and the toll they take on everyone are particularly tangible.

The Space Between Lost and Found is a beautiful read that will lead to good conversation between children and adults.

Imagine that your mom, the person you look up to the most and your best friend, becomes sick and you have to start taking care of her. Welcome to Cassie's world. Cassie and her parents used to go on grand adventures and her mom had an incredible bucket list of things she wanted to do. But when Cassie's mom began forgetting things and losing her focus, they got devastating news. Cassie's mom was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. Cassie's world is turned upside down and she has to start taking care of her. Cassie has a hard time with her dad's new rules to keep her mom safe but the worst day of all was when her mom couldn't remember her name. Cassie vowed then and there to make the remaining time she had with her mom magical. Cassie made the mistake of pushing her best friend, Bailey, away when her mom got sick but the great thing about best friends is that they will always forgive you. So with the help of her best friend, Cassie sneaks her mom away on a bus three hours away from home so that her mom can swim with the dolphins. What will Cassie's dad do when he finds out what Cassie has done? And how will Cassie be able to handle her mom when she gets into a life and death situation? Did she make a huge mistake by trying to help her mom fulfill one thing on her bucket list? Read this heartwarming and heartbreaking story about the true meaning of family, friendship, and how to live life to the fullest while you can!

This book is one that really got to me. I can not even imagine having to watch a parent being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, but I sure couldn't imagine having to deal with it at a young age like Cassie. This book will tug at your heartstrings but it is also so full of hope because of the amazing people that she has in her life. I wasn't sure how this book would end but Sandy Stark-McGinnis did a fantastic job! Do not miss this endearing, heartwarming, incredible book!!

I really enjoyed this book! It was heartbreaking and I just really, really wanted Cassie's mom to say her name. I think this gives an accurate and very real look at Alzheimer's and the family it effects as well.

A story about the long process of saying goodbye. Cassie’s mom suffers from early onset Alzheimer’s. In a survival response, Cassie pushes away her best friend Bailey and isolates herself, not even doing her art. As her Mom becomes more unpredictable like smashing things in anger, forgetting names, or refusing to budge from places, Cassie feels more sad and lonely. Then she has an idea…her mom loves dolphins so what if Cassie could take her to swim with the dolphins before her mom is completely lost to the disease? Beautiful, heartbreaking, and filled with emotion, this is a story worth reading.

Thanks to NetGalley for this eARC.

This book has a really good message about learning how to deal with changes and finding your way back to your new normal.

The story is told in a nice slow pace. I was confused by the flashback sections and the ending felt rushed and left me asking what actually happened.

Summary:
From the acclaimed author of Extraordinary Birds, a powerful story about family, friendship, and the light that can be found even in the darkest of places.

Cassie's always looked up to her mom, a vibrant woman bursting with grand ideas. Together they planned to check off every dream on their think-big bucket list, no matter how far the adventures took them. The future seemed unlimited.

But then came the diagnosis, and Mom started to lose her memories. Even the ones Cassie thought she'd never forget. Even Cassie's name.

Cassie tries her hardest to keep Mom happy . . . to focus on math lessons and come up with art ideas that used to burst off her pen. But as Mom's memories dimmed, so did Cassie's inspiration. She's even pushed away Bailey, the one friend who could help make things okay.

So, Cassie decides to take action. It's time for one last adventure… even if it means taking a big risk to get there.

My Review:
Strong characters
Solid Plot
Interesting Inciting Incident
The story held my attention the entire time.
Had such powerful imagery
I highly recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley for this eARC. I was a big fan of Extraordinary Birds, and so was excited to read this book. Cassie's mom has early-onset Alzheimer's, and Cassie is learning how to deal with her new normal. It felt very similar to Song for a Whale in the fact that the middle grade protagonist is determined to fulfill a journey. The book was very sad and it felt a bit rushed to me; I would have liked some elements to be more fleshed out.

Cassie’s mom has young-onset Alzheimer’s so Cassie needs to take on the role of caregiver as she watches her mother deteriorate and drift away. Her mom has a bucket list and Cassie want to help her mom achieve the one realistic experience, swimming with dolphins. This is a sad book and I think that some parts weren’t well developed. The author tried to fill in some backstory with flashbacks but they fit in awkwardly. The cover is beautiful which hopefully indicates a trend to better covers?!

Thank you Net Galley and publisher for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Space Between Lost and Found is a beautiful story that truly stole my heart. First of all because the protagonist has the same name as me, but also because I just could not put this book down. It truly was a touching story. It's about a young girl named who is Cassie is dealing with school and friendships when everything at home is changing with her mother’s failing memory due to early onset Alzheimer’s. She tries to rekindle her mother's memory through taking her on one of her bucket list adventures. I love the the moments that brought tears to my eyes and the many others that made me smile. I can't wait to add this to our classroom library!

I missed the fact that this was middle grade when I requested it. As a high school librarian, it isn’t worth my time as a reader. However, it sounds very good! I will give it 4 stars since the Goodreads average is above that.

The cover is what made me ask for this one. The story was done so well. The author has experience w/having a parent have Alzheimer's, & she wondered what it would be like to be a kid watching your parent lose their memory-b/c she was an adult when her own dad had the illness. While I’ve never dealt w/this personally, every detail seemed so real & accurate. There was no glossing over anything. You really get to feel the impact her mothers illness has on Cassie, our protagonist. Also, the affect it has on her dad & even her best friend & their relationship. It affects everything in her life. I really felt what she was feeling, which is high credit & respect to the author for that. I would feel almost mad at the mom too & then remember to be mad at the illness not at the mom...I feel so sorry that the author went through this, even later in life w/her dad-no matter what age it’s never easy-but it made her the perfect person to write a story like this, & I think it could help many people who are going through this or something similar even. I highly recommend this book. It was done SO well. Big emphasis on family, friendship, forgiveness, sense of belonging. It comes out April 28th!

This story is a beautifully-written story about a young girl trying to cope with her mother's Alzheimer's diagnosis. It is complex and well-done. The character is real and really allows you to relate and understand what it is like for a family member of someone with Alzheimer's. I would highly recommend this book!

Cassie's life changed the moment her mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Her bubbly, brave mom is gone, and now Mom can't remember Cassie's name. As Cassie's artwork inspiration fades and her friendship suffers, she sets off on one last adventure -- before it's too late.

<b><i>I remember Mom playing the song over and over, too, and singing it just as loud. So that's what we do. We remember. And we sing.</i></b>

This book told such an important story, and I loved getting to see the perspective of a 12-year-old girl. Cassie's story wasn't sugarcoated, and it didn't have a Hallmark ending. Nevertheless, this book was so amazing to read, and I downed it in one afternoon! I loved all of the characters, and while not much happened plot-wise, I couldn't stop reading. I especially loved the worldbuilding and descriptions -- especially the colors and aesthetics of the desert. There were a few moments where I was confused, especially with flashbacks and when Mom <i>would</i> say Cassie's name. Overall, I loved it.

Cassie's mom suffers from early onset Alzheimer's disease, and is well past the stage of forgetting where she set her car keys or forgetting to turn off the stove; she cannot even remember Cassie's name anymore. As Cassie heartbreakingly tries to fulfill one last bucket list of her mother's - to swim with the dolphins - she slowly comes to terms with the fact that her mother's disease is irreversible and life must - and will - go on.

The author does a great job of capturing the "lost-ness" of Cassie's mother, but there seem to be so many threads of the story undeveloped: why, exactly did Cassie and her best friend, part? Where were other family members (grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc.) in this? The ending just....stopped with what was probably going to happen with her mother (being placed in a long-term care facility), and Cassie, her dad and friend taking a trip to an unknown destination. The "meat" and structure of this story is solid, but the lack of editorial support is disappointing. This story needed a "Big Bang" and there simply wasn't one.

Certainly an emotional concept, and tackles a difficult topic with grace. However, I found the pacing to be extremely condensed, and sometimes abrupt and disjointed, even for a middle grade book with a shorter length. And while I thought Cassie was a character easy to connect with, she (and most of the other characters as well) seemed unnaturally mature and sometimes even unemotional - never getting angry, only once even getting close to panicked. "I don't hate my mom, I am frustrated with her illness and the behavior it causes" and "I don't get embarrassed when my mother acts out in public" are quite noble sentiments, but are they realistic for anyone going through the situation, especially a young person? Might be a good resource for young people with parents going through similar medical/cognitive issues, or for fans of The Line Tender and The Thing About Jellyfish

“The Space Between Lost and Found,” by Sandy Spark-McGinnis is such a beautiful, yet heartbreaking middle-grade book. Cassie is doing her best to help her father take care of her mother, who has been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s. Even with the help of a caretaker, it is a lot for Cassie and her Dad, and Cassie lets go of a lot of the activities she loves, and neglects relationships, especially with her best friend, in order to focus solely on her mother. Throughout the story, we see Cassie learn to let her best friend Bailey back in, and turn back to her artwork a bit. She does what she can to try to reach her mom, and learns to focus on the love and memories they had shared. Cassie and her dad face the challenges of the disease, and acknowledge what is to soon come with love and strength, while still recognizing how difficult it is and not shying away from big, heavy feelings.

This book deals with medical diagnosis, grief, parent loss, changing families, friendship, empathy and more. The author tells an important, sad story while weaving in so much love and beauty.