In Lost in the Sun, middle schooler Trent Zimmerman struggles with guilt, self-loathing, and anger after the accidental death of his hockey teammate, Jared. Isolated from friends and sports, Trent slowly heals through an unexpected friendship with Fallon Little, a cinephile with a prominent facial scar. Together, they navigate their personal traumas, learning the importance of empathy and understanding. Accidental death and trauma are central themes in the book.

Lost in the Sun by Lisa Graff presents a profound exploration of guilt and healing through a tragic storyline. Reviewers laud the complex character development and emotional depth, but some criticize the pacing as slow. Overall, it’s praised for its realistic portrayal of grief and redemption, making it a compelling read for middle-grade audiences.

Fans of emotionally gripping middle-grade fiction will enjoy Lisa Graff's Lost in the Sun. Similar to readers of Wonder by R.J. Palacio and Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson, they will appreciate the poignant exploration of grief, redemption, and healing through the eyes of a relatable young protagonist.

Emotional / Contemplative / Bittersweet / Challenging

Lisa Graff

Middle grade

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore Lost in the Sun reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read Lost in the Sun | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore Lost in the Sun and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Lost in the Sun Summary

Background

Lost in the Sun Background

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Prologue-Chapter 5

Lost in the Sun Prologue-Chapter 5 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 6-10

Lost in the Sun Chapters 6-10 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 11-15

Lost in the Sun Chapters 11-15 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 16-20

Lost in the Sun Chapters 16-20 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 21-26

Lost in the Sun Chapters 21-26 Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

Lost in the Sun Character Analysis

theme

Themes

Lost in the Sun Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Lost in the Sun Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

Lost in the Sun Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

Lost in the Sun Essay Topics

Lost in the Sun

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read Lost in the Sun?

Reading Age

Book Details