Lost Kites and Other Treasures

by Cathy Carr

Cathy Carr’s Lost Kites and Other Treasures is a moving and heartfelt middle-grade novel about mental illness, the transformative power of art, and the ever-changing complications and joys of family life."Sincere and funny . . . leaves readers with a sense of hope." –Sara Zarr, author of A Song Called Home "Will be treasured by readers everywhere." –Megan E. Freeman, award-winning author of Alone Twelve-year-old Franny Petroski never lets anyone know how often she thinks of the charismatic, troubled mom who left her years ago—any more than she talks about the unaccountable things Mom did while she was still in the picture. Life with Nana is safe and secure, and Franny’s innovative art projects fill in any lonesome times.   But when Nana has an accident and Franny’s estranged uncle comes home to help out for a while, some long-guarded family secrets come to light. Franny has to use all of her courage, as well as all of her creativity, to come to terms with the discoveries she makes about her mother—and herself.

Genres: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Mental Illness, Family, Fiction, Art, Mental Health

272 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 6, 2024

About the author

Cathy Carr grew up in Wisconsin, where a steady supply of her dad’s stories about his Alaskan adventures sparked her interest in the forty-ninth state. A former copy editor, library clerk, and technical writer, she now lives in New Jersey with her family and writes fiction. See what's new with her at www.cathycarrwrites.com.

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a wry, original, and entirely compelling first-person voice, LOST KITES AND OTHER TREASURES tenderly explores the pain of family secrets, and the ways that opening up to the truth also opens us up to a new world of love, compassion, and acceptance.

An absolutely gorgeous follow-up to Carr’s phenomenal debut, 365 DAYS TO ALASKA.

My thanks to the author and to Amulet Books for the advanced read.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really great middle-grade novel that covers some pretty difficult topics - such as dealing with complicated family issues; that awkward stage when you start to find yourself distanced from childhood friends; and a parent with mental illness (which strikes home for me). Currently tearing up over the ending (in a good way) so this obviously deserves 5 stars. Well worth the read.

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good.
Themes include: mental illness, art, family (especially "imperfect" ones), friendship, forgiveness & healing.

[Lacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this book! It was chock full of middle grade issues and problems…both in school and at home. There is family drama -and secrets. There are friendship troubles. It was really well-written and would be a terrific book for fourth grade and up. I liked the cast of characters, and the story itself. I would have liked some of the secrets to have come out sooner, but I get why they didn’t. All in all, I liked it!

[Megan Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book. Cathy Carr has once again given us a story filled with wonderful, three-dimensional characters that we instantly fall in love with. Can't wait for it to find its way to readers!

[Summer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one, the multi-dimensional characters, the art, and the overall feeling of warmth even when it’s talking about difficult things like abandonment and mental health.

I have an affinity for books where I get to “be there” with a character while they’re creating art, so I really enjoyed that aspect of this one, identifying with Franny in how exhilerating it can feel to get so lost in a project and the flipside of that euphoria where you second guess yourself and maybe get a little down on your work. The narrative as well as a note from the author were wonderfully encouraging about persisting with your art and the idea that you don’t necessarily need the most expensive supplies, amazing things can be made with found/recycled objects.

The family dynamics were just as standout for me as Franny’s interest in art. Franny lives with her grandmother, a relationship I thoroughly enjoyed as her gran can be kind of gruff at times and set in her ways but she so clearly adores this kid. Their interractions with Franny’s estranged uncle were great, too, he doesn’t just sweep back into their lives and all is well, he isn’t immediately treated like a hero just for finally showing up, the thawing process is realistically gradual. I also thought it was nicely done how we aren’t just shown the impact of her mother’s mental health struggle on Franny, the author gives us a sense of how her gran and uncle were affected in their own ways, too. This is my favorite kind of family to read about, imperfect still they keep on trying for each other.

[Emily Nesdore · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book for tweens that touches on topics like abandonment, mental health, and difficult family relationships. Hopefully kids will realize that it is okay to talk about mental health issues and that it is way more common than they think.

Thank you NetGalley, Cathy Carr, and Harry N Abrams for the ARC of this book.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

How is it that this book deals with mental illness but also made me laugh out loud multiple times? It’s really fabulous middle grade writing, and readers will pick it up and find themselves turning to the last page before they know it. Incredibly well done.

[Sara Zarr]

Lovely MG realism with just the right touches of humor to help lighten some serious subjects. Really enjoyed. Out in 2024.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cathy Carr does an excellent job of talking about mental health in a way that middle grade students will easily understand. Franny is very relatable as a 12 year old with hard issues on her plate. She is an excellent role model for any kids that must grow up fast due to circumstances beyond their control. This book is full of heart and big feelings and the knowledge that families can let you down, but they can also pick you up. And sometimes family is the people you find along the way.

[Shari · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely delightful middle grade book that - thanks to Cathy Carr's brilliant writing - is equally heartwrenching and hilarious. She captures Franny Petroski's 12-year-old voice so perfectly, and creates secondary characters that feel fully-developed even through Franny's limited perspective. I loved that Franny creates art from found objects, and doesn't mind being uniquely herself. Her story includes plenty of friendship drama, family drama, and growth experiences for Franny, but she discovers her own resilience and strengths - and as she learns to love who she is, she is better able to love others as well.
Themes of financial struggle, isolation, mental health, forgiveness, and community all come together to tell an emotionally rich, fun-to-read story; recommend for readers 4th grade+.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lost Kites and Other Treasures is a precious book for the middle grades reader. Twelve year old Franny lives with her grandma due to circumstances that she learns throughout the book. Franny is quite the artist--usually with materials that others would consider trash.

The story is told from Franny's 12 year old first person perspective--through Franny the reader learns about Franny's estranged mother, relationship with her grandma, her uncle, and other family secrets. Throughout the book, Franny and the other characters learn about the power of change, forgiveness, and acceptance of the past and other things we can not control.

Thank you NetGalley and Cathy Carr for the ARC.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 5 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Franny Petroski has had to deal with a lot in her twelve years, but things are looking up. Even though she hasn't seen her mother since she was four, she has a stable life with her Nana, a dental hygienist, in a cozy apartment above a coffee shop, and enjoys doing artwork with found objects. She sees a school conselour to help her through some of her issues, but is fairly content with good friends Lucy Bernal and Ruben Yao. When her grandmother breaks her leg taking out the trash (which Franny should have done), the family's fragile existence is disturbed. Luckily, Ruben's mother, Dr. Yao, finds a single story, handicapped accessible house that the family of one of her patients is willing to rent. The man who lived there has gone to a nursing home, and while the place is a little dingy and dated, it's easier for Nana to navigate. It's still hard for the two to get groceries and other things they need to get by, so Nana asks her son Gary, who lives in Wisconsin, to come to the East Coast and stay with them. Gary is a computer programmer, so can work from home, but has a difficult relationship with his mother, mainly because of the problems that Franny's mother Mia had while the two were growing up. Nana has never told Franny too many details, and her memory of being with her mother is not very strong, but she is curious about her, and hopes to find out more details from her uncle, and also from one of her mother's friends, Carlton, whom they meet when stopping by to see the house where Gary grew up. Franny is also having some typical middle school friend problems; Lucy has moved to England to live with her grandmother while her father has a position there, and Ruben has started to hang out with a group of gamers, including the mean Tate, who is always giving Franny a hard time. When Franny tells Ruben that she's found out her mother has bipolar disorder, and he tells Tate, this further stresses their relationship. While her grandmother's leg is improving, the emotional toll that the injury has taken is still there, and Franny is struggling with the new information about her mother and the impact that it may have on her own life. Will the Petroskis be able to find a way forward?
Strengths: Sometimes it's hard to put my finger on just WHY I like a book so much. Characters who have different and slightly challenging lives are always intriguing, and this felt a little like Berry's Heart Finds or Hope Springs, with the touches of art and the inclusion of a loving but troubled grandparent. The adult in me was worried for Franny and wanted to take dinner to her and her grandmother, and my inner twelve-year-old wanted to do art projects with her and be her friend. The characters in the book were all fully formed and interesting; Gary, who wants to help but has his own life in Wisconsin that doesn't involve having to deal with the fall out his sister has left; Aunt Gravy (Gracie), her grandmother's best friend and former coworker who is really very helpful but whom Franny just doesn't like; Carlton, who has a deeper connection to Franny's past than she realizes, Nana, who is doing her best to get by and who is struggling with her own emotions; and Ruben, who has a large and loving family but just can't quite understand how difficult things are for Franny. Weirdly, the house and its basement contents that Franny turn into art, was oddly intriguing. I could just see and smell it in my mind's eye! I guess that all of these things combine to make this a book that I felt I could step right into, which is a difficult thing for an author to accomplish.
Weaknesses: While Franny's troubles at school are mentioned a bit, I would have liked to see more school scenes to give a better idea to young readers how troubles at home might be impacting their classmates. There are too many young people like Tate who don't really stop and think about the life circumstances of people they encounter on a daily basis. This would have made the book a lot longer, though, and it's a good length for middle grade readers the way it is.
What I really think: This has all of the elements that I think make a great middle grade novel; a young person who has an interest in doing things, friend drama, realistic and not horrific family drama, and a fantastic portrayal of resilience. The scene where the toilet in the new house overflows when her grandmother is out and Franny deals with it herself by phoning her friend Ruben is brilliant. When Aunt Gravy says that the house smells line Pine-Sol and Franny doesn't say antyhing about the disaster-- that's a perfect middle grade moment. Highly recommended.

[Warren Rochelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twelve-year-old Franny Petroski makes lists of Things That Currently Worry Her. She lets no one know “how often she thinks of the charismatic, troubled mom who left her years ago” (front cover). Nor does she talk about what she remembers her mother did when she was around. She does share her found art that sometimes turns into presents. Her grandmother has a “big piece of bark [she] found last spring” Painted with sunflowers, it’s in her grandmother’s bedroom (4). Some trash, like the kite she finds outside school, with her best friend, Ruben, needs to be rescuing. She is indeed a creative soul. With Nana, she is safe and secure. She has close friends. Her art teacher, Miss Midori tells her to trust her art brain telling her to keep these found strange things.

Then everything changes. Nana falls, breaks her leg, and needs surgery to put it back together. After that, “eight weeks with the leg immobilized and fully extended,” followed by “four weeks in a hinged brace,” followed by “serious physical therapy” (23). Nana and Franny live in a second-floor apartment in a building without an elevator. Now, Franny’s worry list gets longer, including how they will get from the hospital, where will they live, if they can’t stay in their apartment, how will Nana go back to work in a dental office if she can’t stand, to where Franny will stay that first night (27). Help comes from the Yaos, there is a place to stay, but managing life post-fall and surgery prove difficult. A lot of things have broken. Nana reluctantly calls for her estranged son, Gabe, to come help. With Uncle Gabe’s arrival for a two-month, come new tensions, and eventually the revelation of family secrets. Perhaps the biggest secret is that Franny’s missing mother has bipolar disorder, an illness that eventually led to her incarceration.

How does Franny cope with these painful discoveries about her family? What does she discover about herself? The readers learns, as Franny learns who she is and who she can be. She begins to understand what it means to be an artist and that she is brave. She is not perfect, but then, who is.

This well-written novel tells Franny’s story with grace and good humor. The trauma of dealing with a family member who has a mental illness is presented with care and careful attention and respect. The reader learns as Franny learns. I was also struck by the richness of detail of place and character, from a cantankerous toilet to a fading avocado kitchen to the mysteries of pie making. Franny’s found art are things of beauty, repurposed from the trash. Franny the heart of the novel, is a truly likeable and engaging character who, with whom the reader will fall in love.

A beautiful book, highly recommended. Yes, the intended audience for this novel are middle-grade children, Even so, readers of all ages will love this young heroine and her story.

[Rebecca Reid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lost Kites and Other Treasures by Cathy Carr (Amulet Books, February 2024) addresses anxiety and other mental illness with a middle-school story featuring Franny, who escapes to making creative “found” art when things start to feel overwhelming. Although Franny tries not to think about her absent mother and the traumas of her early life (after all, life with Nana is fine), when Nana has an accident and Franny’s uncle enters her life, Franny begins to face the realities of who her mother is and why she is not in Franny’s life.


The “lost kite” of the title is a worn out plastic kite Franny finds in the very first scene. She claims it for a future art project, where she will make it into a meaningful piece of art. Her art an outlet that helps her deal with her anxiety. But things radically change and Franny must face real issues head on. Nana’s broken leg takes them to a new temporary home and now Franny must step up as a helper. She must learn to work through problems. Franny’s uncle comes to help too. Franny and her Nana have always avoided discussing Franny’s mother, but Uncle Gabe’s presence means that the long-held secrets about her mother come to light and the family must have difficult conversations. Can Franny be stronger than her mother? Can she learn to deal with her mental illness in a healthy way?

Although Franny’s emotional challenges seem limited to severe anxiety and dealing with some residual trauma from her early years, Franny’s fear that she will develop issues like her mother’s drives her to seek help from friends and to find strength within herself. The “other treasures” as mentioned in the title are, I believe, the events in life, both good and bad, that can become beautiful and creative moments, even as her found items can become beautiful and creative art pieces, worthy of the art show.

Lost Kites and Other Treasures addresses some key aspects of mental illness, including overcoming the taboo of discussing them. Although it is not the most remarkable book addressing these issues, this middle grade novel will be a great fit for middle schoolers looking for a book about a creative tween coming into her own while dealing with such anxiety. It’s so important that mental health issues are normalized.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance review copy of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Stephanie A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm thrilled that Carr has released her second novel; her debut (365 Days to Alaska) was so good and I was getting bummed out by the prospect that she might be a one-and-done author. Right away I like the cover design, especially the uncommon and very appealing shade of lavender for the background. I can't find the name of the font in the hardcover edition, but that is also an unusual and very easy-on-the-eyes choice.

None of these characters are anyone I'd personally want to spend more time with, although I must say grumpy Nana is in the right about everything (except sharing her stories from work as a dental hygienist, ew ew ew ew ew), and I'm frankly also kinda Team "Get Money" Gabe; the grudges he bears make sense to me. But though I didn't have a lot of common ground with the main character, I enjoyed this sweet story, especially the details of Franny exploring their new short-term rental house (having never previously lived anywhere with a yard) and how she helps around the house while her grandmother recovers from a broken leg.

I also weirdly appreciated the "if a toilet ever clogs/overflows, here's what you need to do" lesson woven in, because guess who did not know this as a full-grown adult and went into panic mode the first time it ever happened to her while living in apartment (fortunately with someone who DID know what to do).

Recommended to elementary-age readers for sure, especially those who do have characteristics in common, like being raised by a grandparent, having absentee parents/family with mental health issues (specifically bipolar disorder -- not sure if that's really a spoiler, but it isn't revealed right away)/little to no extended family, and/or those who like doing arts & crafts, particularly in unusual styles, and particularly if they like them more than academics.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fascinating read! I wasn’t really sure what to expect, but this coming of age story was a beautiful picture of life, both the good and the bad.
Franny’s life is always the same. She never goes anywhere or does anything fun instead living with her grandma who refuses to talk about her mother. But everything changes when her grandmother breaks her leg. Suddenly, an uncle she never talked to is coming to live with them, and things start changing. Will Franny’s life ever be the same again?
Franny was such a wonderful narrator! She felt like a twelve year old girl to me, and I really appreciated the fact that she did not have a crush on anymore. She was learning a lot about herself, her friendships, and her past. Her struggles felt realistic to me, and her voice was engaging.
The realism in this story broke my heart a little bit. Carr allows us to see family life for what it is. Nana’s strength was inspiring for me, and I loved her character growth as she expanded her life more and more throughout the book. Franny’s uncle drove me a little insane, but I also understood his perspective. This book tackles mental health as well touching on Franny’s mother’s bipolar disorder. I think it was handled well for a middle grade fiction, but I would recommend talking through what this disorder means with your children.
This book is lovely! There’s friend drama, family secrets, and just a general learning about oneself. I think kids will relate to Franny, and it does open up some good dialogue about how families and friends interact. This book does discuss mental health, specifically bipolar disorder, so I would recommend parents reading it first. Otherwise, I would recommend it for anyone who enjoys middle school coming of age stories!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.

[Ben Gartner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tender. Heartfelt. Hilarious. Touching. What a magnificent story. It's a "quiet" tale, but a page-turner nonetheless. You will definitely feel these characters and recognize bits of each of them in our shared experience of humanity. The author is expert at richly painting a scene or adding nuanced characterization with just a few well-placed strokes.

This book deals with heavy topics of mental illness and unique family situations in a casual, comfortable, easily approachable way. What I mean by that is it normalizes them. It's not treated as atypical or odd, it just is what it is. Family dynamics are presented so believably, you'll see your family in this story. It presents many different character types and ways of being and doesn't judge. It's not heavy-handed in theme, but it's clearly directing readers to an attitude of acceptance and the reality that life is complicated. And it offers some subtle guided suggestions on how to navigate those challenges, especially through the expression of yourself through art and the creative process, focusing on the enjoyment that it brings you, how it melts away time when you're engaged. And through admitting those challenges through open dialogue with trusted friends. These are such monumentally important lessons for everyone. For the young, to learn. For the old, to remember.

I even got some allergies in my eyes on a a few scenes. ;)

And all mixed with some light-hearted grins and chuckles.

There are many quotes I want to post here, but because I read an ARC I'm not supposed to do that. Suffice to say, there are many gems in here that I underlined with an exclamation point or a star or a smiley face. And many LOL's too.

Highly recommended for any reader of any age. I know I won't be the only one saying this book is a great work of art!

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a wonderful story of complicated family life, choosing open lines of communication over silence and secrecy, and the power of art.

Twelve-year-old Franny lives with her Nana, and their life is safe, predictable, and just a little tedious. When her Nana's accident forces them out of their comfort zone, it also forces them to confront their pasts and all of the things left unsaid in their family.

Franny was such a great protagonist - my heart went out to her, and at the same time, I thought she would be really fun to hang out with. Her relationship with her Nana was nuanced and real, and showed a lot about her character. I felt myself sympathizing with Nana as well, as she fumbled to figure out how to open up to Franny and move beyond her safe cocoon. Watching her push herself to tackle the hard topics, and Franny's reactions to this, was really great to read.

I also appreciated the character of her estranged Uncle Gabe, who returns for the first time in years to help out when he's needed. He was not perfect, and he had a lot to work out, but he was very real and likable, and I was happy to see his growth and how he interacted with both Franny and Nana.

And even though we never get to meet Franny's mom, she was a very real, three-dimensional character, too. Seeing her through the eyes of her mother, brother, childhood best friend, and the vague memories of her daughter, I got a clear picture of who she was - her struggles and her strengths. So well written.

Definitely recommend this one - Heartfelt, thoughtful, & FUN!

[Kim Bongiorno · Rating 5 out of 5]

A strong addition for librarians, educators and families seeking contemporary, realistic middle grade novels that present mental illness, "non-traditional" families, evolving friendships and finding confidence in a creative outlet in a thoughtful, relatable way. 

12yo Franny sticks to all the rules for living with her Nana ever since she got custody a long time ago -- whether she agrees with them or not. When Nana has an accident that tosses everything they know up in the air at the same time Franny's circle of friends begins to shift, the reader gets a front row seat to witnessing how many people, relationships and family dynamics can be nudged into something new by one slip on the ice.

Moving, amusing and genuinely interesting, I hope this book finds its way into classrooms and home bookcases a plenty. Kids will either see themselves in Franny's story, or gain understanding and empathy for those who do.

For fans of:
Ann Braden
Erin Entrada Kelly
Lynda Mullaly Hunt
Wendy Mass
Barbara Dee
K.A. Holt

And more specifically:
Rebecca Stead's THE LIST OF THINGS THAT WILL NOT CHANGE
Tae Keller's THE SCIENCE OF BREAKABLE THINGS
Chrystal D. Giles' NOT AN EASY WIN
Kate DiCamillo's RAYMIE NIGHTINGALE
Lisa Fipp's STARFISH 

I read an eARC via NetGalley. (Pub. date 2/6/24)

[Jamie Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Franny, 12, uses found objects to make art and writes her worries to help her handle her jumbled mix of emotions. Her mother left her to be raised by her grandmother, Nana, and they are comfortable with their lives until Nana breaks her leg and is wheel chair bound and will need serious physical therapy when the cast comes off. Her Uncle Gabe, long estranged from her family, moves in with them in their new rental house to help Franny care for Nana. Franny also leans on her friends, but that doesn't work out to well when Lucy moves back to London and Ruben is spending more time with Tate, a loudmouthed boy that says hurtful things. With Gabe living with them, Franny begins to learn things about her mother she never knew - bipolar disorder and prison - and that what her Nana has told her may not be what it seems. Franny delves into her art and spends time with other friends as she tries to maneuver through the new information and emotions. The story is a roller coaster of emotions for Franny, one that leaves her afraid of turning out like her mother, but the issues are handled with flawed, strong characters that dare the ride to come out better than they were in the beginning. A good book for art fans and those struggling with family issues, broken friendships, and jumbled emotions.

[Larissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a beautiful way to come to terms with many different things in Franny’s life. When her grandmother hurts herself and they are forced to move into a rental house Franny is not quite sure what to expect. She knows that she loves to create art with things others might find to be junk. Her grandmother seems to think so, yet in putting together lost thing Franny gives new life to things others have forgotten. Which is perfect for Franny since she feels like she personally has so many lost things. The biggest being her mother. She knows her mother gave her up for the right reasons but it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t hurt. When her uncle comes to help Franny and her grandmother out, Franny starts to pull things together. Is her grandmother’s injury a blessing in disguise.
This is just a unique book. There are so many different topics touched upon. It is a great book to show perspective. Also, how something that might initially seem like a bad thing can actually bring about positive change.
Thank you so much to Abram Kids and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.

[Patti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read this book ahead of publication date.

I really enjoyed this book. The genre is middle grade realistic fiction, and tackles a wide range of themes including mental illness, foster/kinship care, friendship drama, and anxiety. The main character, Franny, is in middle school and lives with her Nana, because her mother spent time in prison and her Nana has full custody of her. When her Nana has an accident and injures her knees and is no longer able to move around, Franny's Uncle Gabe moves in with them, despite being previously estranged from his mother.

There's quite a bit of growing and mindset shifts that Franny, Uncle Gabe, and Nana experience. In addition to the changes in their day to day routine, Franny starts learning more about her mother and gains some insight into why her mother is no longer in her life. Nana and Uncle Gabe also have to change but ultimately also experience growth, adaptability, and acceptance.

A great family story but please check the trigger warnings for sensitive kids. Recommended for ages 9+.

[Glenna Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Franny Petroski lives with her Nana, who is bound by routine and doesn't like to waver from it. Franny, however, needs some sort of creative outlet and uses found objects to create art that speaks to her although the art usually doesn't impress her grandmother. Franny expects that life will continue in just the same way forever, but then her grandmother has an accident. They need to move out of their apartment temporarily into a rental house that is set up for wheelchair access and her estranged uncle flies in to help. Unexpectedly, life begins to change for Franny and her family. Nana becomes more open to change and Franny discovers answers to her mother's lack of presence in her life as well as her uncle's absence that are both frightening and comforting. In the end, Franny, her Nana, and her uncle are able to forge a new path forward with both uncertainty and hope. This book examines in an honest way the lives of those who need to make choices about how to deal with a family member who suffers from bipolar disorder.

[Kaela Noel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Cathy Carr’s first book, 365 DAYS TO ALASKA, and LOST KITES AND OTHER TREASURES is just as phenomenal. Heartfelt, funny, humorous, and serious, but never preachy or pretentious. It’s a wonderful book about family, friendship, art, creativity, childhood, and NJ. And the voice! I adore Franny, the main character, who is flawed but deeply lovable, and her grandmother, who felt so real and complex on the page. All of the characters did.

And the pacing is great—I didn’t want to put it down, and I finished it in a few hours.

As someone who spent several childhood years in northern New Jersey, I can also attest that the speech patterns, cultural references, and setting in the book feels 100% authentic. It was a very satisfyingly nostalgic read for me (yet it also felt current and contemporary).

I also loved the references to various artists, art processes, and art history.

Highly recommended!!

[Jessica Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lost Kites and Other Treasures refers to the found objects Franny uses for her art projects. It also stands as a metaphor for her situation.

Franny deals with a lot of anxiety and when she learns her AWOL mom has bipolar disorder, she wonders if she’s got it too. There’s a lot going on in Franny’s life, and there are a lot of unknowns. But even though things are hard, Franny’s got a spunky strength that really talks to readers.

As the book progresses, Franny — as well as Nana and Uncle Gabe — undergo real growth. They learn to communicate and their own value within their family.

Author Cathy Carr doesn’t shy from addressing mental illness, and the need to discuss difficult topics out in the open. Her use of art as an outlet for healing is a highlight, and I wish that she had utilized it more throughout.

Lost Kites and Other Treasures is a heartwarming middle-grade novel that teaches empathy.

[Jill Kimball]

I wish I’d read Lost Kites and Other Treasures when I was Franny's age. It would have made my path to becoming an artist that much easier.
My family moved three years in a row when I was young; it was a painful way to go through my school years. Franny’s issues were different, but her struggles with identity and a sense of belonging had much in common with my life then, especially as a creative and often lonely kid. Cathy Carr's understanding of the emotional pathways from disruption in one's early years to making art as a tool for healing and finding identity is unapologetically laid out in this wonderful book.
If there’s a school-aged girl or boy in your life, especially one who is struggling (and who isn’t), do get this book for them. It will help them know that making things, any sort of things, can give them agency in their world. Plus it’s a great read, funny and engaging all the way through!

[Moona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cathy Carr’s Lost Kites and Other Treasures is a tender, beautifully layered story that gently explores themes of mental illness, family secrets, and the healing power of creativity.

Franny Petroski is a quietly resilient protagonist—her voice authentic, thoughtful, and filled with heart. Living with her steady and caring Nana, Franny finds solace in her art. But when her world is shaken by her Nana’s accident and the arrival of a long-absent uncle, she’s forced to confront truths long kept hidden.

The way Cathy Carr portrays mental illness is nuanced and compassionate, never heavy-handed but always honest. Franny’s journey of understanding her mother, her family, and ultimately herself, is one that readers of all ages will find relatable and moving.

This is a story about the messiness of life and the beauty that can be found in its broken pieces. A quiet gem of a book that stays with you—bittersweet, hopeful, and full of heart.

[Suzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Franny and Nana have a rhythm and then that gets overturned when Nana gets hurt.
Franny has to adjust to a new home and Uncle Gabe coming to help.
Franny starts to learn more about her mom who is not around and learns more about the family that Uncle Gabe, Nana and her mom had before.
Franny is also dealing with friendship changes. Her friend Lucy is in London for a time and her friend Reuben is making new friends.
But Franny still has her art and creating new pieces helps her calm her mind.
Franny learns about her mom's bipolar disorder and how it has affected her family.
This is such a great middle grade book for anyone dealing with changes in their life.
I liked how they talked about bipolar and show you that it can be treated and people can live normal lives.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

[Brooke]

Listened to the audiobook. In some ways it was a little juvenile, since the main character is a 12 year old and is some 6th grade level drama going on. But Franny is also experiencing some very grown up situations: her mother has bi/polar disorder and refused to get treatment, so the grandmother made her sign off custody. So Franny lives alone with her (and she can be pretty rude), until the grandma falls and breaks some bones and they require extra help. Then her uncle Gabe comes to live with him- he’s sort of helpful, but also gets annoyed at how rude his mom can be.

Franny loves making art and that helps her through a lot of her worries. And there’s a plug for “why you should make art” at the end of the book. Basically says it’s not annoy making money off it or being amazing at it, but creating art is the whole point.