The Lost Soul Atlas

A boy awakens in the Afterlife, with a pocketful of vague memories, a key, a raven, and a mysterious atlas to guide him as he sets out to piece together what happened, and try to find his way home...

Twig is alone as a newly-made street kid after his dad goes missing. But when he meets Flea, a cheerful pickpocket, the pair become fast friends. Together, Twig and Flea raise themselves on the crime-ridden streets, taking what they need and giving the rest to the even-poorer. Life is good, as long as they have each other.  But then Twig wakes up in the Afterlife with just a handful of memories from Earth and one big question... how did he get there?  Loyalty will be tested, and a cruel twist of fate will lead to an act of ultimate betrayal in this epic story that spans a city, a decade, and the divide of life and death itself.

This is a magical and heartbreaking tale fusing together fantasy and the cruel realities faced by many children today, that of homelessness and poverty which is all too often a part of society that gets overlooked and forgotten. Zana Fraillon has treated it with the utmost dignity and respect and I defy you to read this and not be moved to tears.

This incredible moving adventure has so many layers that it will capture the imagination of anyone and everyone. It has a social message. It has friendships and relationships. It has a talking raven called Krruk. It has the Afterlife. There is a constant threat of danger from a woman called Hoblin. It has all the ingredients of a modern classic. And quite honestly, it's flipping brilliant!  I loved the way that the story jumps backwards and forwards into Twig's life, uncovering his memories whilst he journeys through the Afterlife. The characters themselves were all perfectly placed, not a single unnecessary one amongst them.

This book is thought-provoking and so beautifully and lyrically written, an emotional and poignant reminder of the hardships of those living on the streets. It will haunt you long after you have finished reading it.

320 pages / Reviewed by Lucy Georgeson, school librarian

Suggested Reading Age 11+