Cover Reveal for Summer of Lost and Found by Rebecca Behrens

This book is particularly near and dear to my heart--the story truly started in Mrs. Gerlach's fifth-grade classroom, when I read a textbook sidebar on the Lost Colony of Roanoke and had to know more about what had happened. Mrs. Gerlach always cultivated my love of history and historical fiction, and when I couldn't find enough books on a topic, she encouraged me to someday write them. Two decades later, I did! And now Summer of Lost and Found is starting to make its way to bookshelves (and hopefully into some fifth-grade classrooms, too!).

I love how the cover shows the sense of wonder and curiosity as my main character, Nell, discovers the mysteries of Roanoke Island. Robyn Ng, the illustrator, and Laura Lyn DiSiena, the designer, did such an amazing job! 

Summer of Lost and Found | Aladdin/S&S | Publication Date: 5/24/16

Sometimes it’s the places we think we know the best that hold the most secrets: our streets, our backyards, and even our homes.

Nell Dare was looking forward to spending the summer in New York City, eating frozen custard and hanging out in Central Park. Then her father suddenly leaves town, leaving no explanation or clues as to where he went—or why—and Nell’s botanist mom has to drag her all the way to Roanoke Island for a research trip.

While Nell misses the city—and her dad—it doesn't take long for her to become enthralled with the mysteries of Roanoke. Especially when she meets Ambrose, a friendly but eccentric boy who works as a historical re-enactor on the island. They explore the area for clues as to what really happened to the lost colonists, staying clear of Lila, a local girl who seems to know everything about the history of the Lost Colony and isn’t afraid to make it clear that Roanoke is her territory.

As Nell and Ambrose discover tantalizing evidence, peculiar things begin to happen—like important artifacts disappearing. Someone—or something—is keeping watch over their quest for answers.

Nell and Ambrose are convinced they are close to finding the truth. But just when they think they might have it all figured out, a huge storm threatens to make them both lost forever . . .

Rebecca Behrens lives and writes in New York City, where she also works as a textbook editor. She is the author of When Audrey met Alice, which Bookpage called “a terrific work of blended realistic and historical fiction.” Her next novel, Summer of Lost and Found, will be published in Summer 2016. Some of Rebecca’s favorite things are: the beach, history, running, doughnuts, and laughing.