Friday Memes: Lost in the Sun by Lisa Graff

Book Beginnings is hosted by Rose City Reader and Friday 56 is hosted by Freda's Voice.

Lost in the Sun by Lisa Graff. 298 p. Philomel Books/ Penguin Young Readers Group (USA), May 26, 2015. 9780399164064. (Arc courtesy of the publisher)

Publisher synopsis: From the author of A Tangle of Knots and Absolutely Almost, a touching story about a boy who won't let one tragic accident define him.

Everyone says that middle school is awful, but Trent knows nothing could be worse than the year he had in fifth grade, when a freak accident on Cedar Lake left one kid dead, and Trent with a brain full of terrible thoughts he can't get rid of. Trent’s pretty positive the entire disaster was his fault, so for him middle school feels like a fresh start, a chance to prove to everyone that he's not the horrible screw-up they seem to think he is.
If only Trent could make that fresh start happen.
It isn’t until Trent gets caught up in the whirlwind that is Fallon Little—the girl with the mysterious scar across her face—that things begin to change. Because fresh starts aren’t always easy. Even in baseball, when a fly ball gets lost in the sun, you have to remember to shift your position to find it.

First Line: It's funny how the simplest thing, like riding your bike to the park the way you've done nearly every summer afternoon since you ditched your training wheels, can suddenly become so complicated.

Page 56: "Sit your ass back down, Trent," Mr. Gorman told me. "I'm not even close to done."
     He said that. He said "ass." I'm pretty sure teachers aren't supposed to say "ass."
     "But the bell rang."
     The look Mr. Gorman gave me then-well, I knew in that instant there was a reason he'd become a P.E. teacher. I bet he could've wrestled a bear and won.
     I sat my ass back down.

I've already finished this and my review is scheduled to post this Sunday, one month before its release date of May 26. I adored this book and want to talk about it everywhere I can. It has gotten a ton of love already - four stars so far! I can't wait to book talk it to my kids.