Publishers Weekly
04/29/2019
Seventeen-year-old loner Tom Calloway, an orphan, has no desire to fly to Costa Rica for a school-sponsored environmental research trip, but the dates align with his flaky guardian’s yoga retreat, so Tom reluctantly signs on. Their plane crashes in the jungle, killing everyone aboard except for Tom and 18 of his classmates. Politician’s son Joel Aspinall takes charge, ordering the group to stay put, but Tom doubts a timely rescue; they should have landed hours before the crash, which, he believes, means the pilot likely disabled the transponders and flew off course. As resources dwindle and illness and animal attacks claim additional lives, the teens debate a hike toward civilization. But with tensions rising and factions forming, the wilderness isn’t the only obstacle to their continued survival. Wignall (the Mercian Trilogy) fully exploits the setting of his adrenaline-fueled adventure, which meditates on fate while exploring the effects of adversity and grief. The setup is a bit unoriginal, and the kids’ knowledge and skills occasionally strain credulity, but nuanced character interactions help ground the action-studded plot. Ages 14–up. Agent: Deborah Schneider, Gelfman Schneider/ ICM Partners. (June)
From the Publisher
Praise for When We Were Lost:
Amazon Best Book of the Month
2021-2022 It List Selection
Florida Teens Read, for Grades 9-12, 2020-2021
"The constantly building tension and dread will propel even the most reluctant readers through to the end."—Booklist
"An adrenaline-fueled adventure, which meditates on fate while exploring the effects of adversity and grief. Nuanced character interactions help ground the action-studded plot."—Publishers Weekly
"To survive the heat and predators, the group will have to rely on their skills and each other-easier said than done when insecurities and stubbornness become lethal...The tried-and-true tropes of survival narratives along with empowering teen expertise are featured well."—Kirkus Reviews
"Equipped with only what they've scavenged from the plane, Tom and his surviving classmates must try to escape through a hostile environment aswarm with predators. Mr. Wignall's cool tone and light touch keep an intense, exciting story from seeming far-fetched."—The Wall Street Journal
"A brilliant blend of modern adventure and Lord of the Flies, When We Were Lost is a riveting contemporary page-turner and ideal reading for teenage boys."—Sarah Pinborough, bestselling author of 13 Minutes and Behind Her Eyes