Lost and Found (Junior Library Guild Selection) [Audiobook, Unabridged] [Audio CD]

Andrew Clements (Author), Keith Nobbs (Reader)

Book Description

Series: Junior Library Guild Selection

The Grayson twins are moving to a new town. Again. Although it's a drag to be constantly mistaken for one another, still, during those first days at a new school, there's nothing better than a twin brother. But on day one of sixth grade, Ray stays home sick, and Jay is on his own. And--no big deal. It's a pretty nice school, good kids too. But Jay quickly discovers a major mistake; no one at this school seems to know a thing about his brother. Ray's not on the attendance lists, doesn't have a locker, doesn't even have a student folder. Jay almost tells a teacher, but decides that this lost information could be very...useful. And fun. Maybe even a little dangerous. As these two clever boys exploit a clerical oversight, each one finds new views of selfhood, friendship, learning, and honesty. Entertaining and thought-provoking, this is Andrew Clements at his best.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3–6—Twins Ray and Jay Grayson have recently moved to Ohio. For years the boys have longed to be seen as individuals rather than as "part of a pair." Due to a "clerical oversight," their first week of sixth grade gives them the chance. Ray stays home sick the first day, and Jay is on his own. He enjoys meeting his new classmates, but he is a bit baffled that no one, not even his teachers, seems to know that his brother exists. After some investigation, he realizes that the school only has records for one of them. Hilarity—and confusion—ensues as the boys take turns being Jay. This novel is true to form for Clements. Relationships are well developed and realistic, and the author shows a strong understanding of the experience of being a twin. The use of similar names for the protagonists makes following the plot a bit confusing at times, but readers will quickly turn the pages to find out what the boys are up to next and whether they will be caught. The full-page pencil illustrations are a bit misleading—they are not always in sync with the author's description of Ray and Jay as "completely identical." Although this book is not as memorable as Frindle (S & S, 1996) and some of Clements's other novels, it is a treat for those who are into the author's brand of "that could totally happen at my school" fiction.—Jessica Kerlin, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Parma, OH
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

When the Graysons move to a new town, 12-year-old twins Jay and Ray take advantage of a paperwork glitch at school to see what it would be like not to be regarded as one of a matched pair. They take turns going to school, each answering to the name Jay Grayson. Though physically Ray and Jay are nearly identical, their different personalities, abilities, and interests (not to mention the difficulties of one twin staying home each day and logistics of not appearing together in public) make it difficult to keep up the game for long. Details of life in class, at home, and on the playing field keep the story grounded. Combining his insight into the minds of middle-grade boys with his experience as the father of twins, Clements creates a thoroughly engaging and usually convincing chapter book. There’s built-in appeal for twins, but singletons will like it too. To be illustrated with pencil drawings. Grades 3-6. --Carolyn Phelan --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Audio CD
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio; Unabridged edition (July 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743572734
• ISBN-13: 978-0743572736
• Product Dimensions: 5.9 x 5.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,690,205 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Most of my characters are fairly normal people who are dealing with the basics of everyday life--getting along with others, finding a place in the world, discovering talents, overcoming challenges, trying to have some wholesome fun along the way, and getting into some scrapes and a little mischief now and then, too. I guess I hope my readers will be able to see bits and pieces of themselves in the stories, particularly the novels that take place in and around school. School is a rich setting because schools and education are at the heart of every community. The stories that are set in school seem to resonate with kids, teachers, parents, librarians--readers of all ages. Everyone's life has been touched by school experiences. And I also hope, of course, that kids and others will enjoy reading, enjoy the use of language, enjoy my storytelling.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All I want is just a few days...., September 3, 2008

By 

Judy K. Polhemus "Book Collector" (Louisiana) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lost and Found (Hardcover)

(What's this?)

Just maybe, being a twin is not what the rep says it is. No privacy. No chance to experiment a little. Always that other voice yammering in the background. Always the necessity to seek agreement from the other.

Until Jay Grayson goes alone on their first day to sixth grade at the new school in their new town. His identical twin Ray stays home sick. Since Jay has never done anything alone, he enjoys the solitude, the separateness. Ahhhh. The strange thing is that all day not one teacher calls his brother's name. In the afternoon he has a chance to take a quick peek at the student folders. There's not one for his brother! Then he discovers the mistake. The two folders are stuck one inside the other. No one knows there's a twin. There's only Jay Grayson.

Therein is hatched the plot to pass the twins as one. They take turns going to school. After all, their own mother has to look for the one identifying birthmark to know absolutely which twin is which. No one ever chooses to be friends with just one twin. How does a kid decide, when they look alike? It has always been a threesome. Then there's the name thing. Their parents named them Jay Ray and Ray Jay. Yes, they did. That really enhances their identical identities. Yet, they are very different. Where one excels, the other declines. Even their tastes in girls differ as they find out during their week as one boy.

Andrew Clements has written another winner to join Frindle, The School Story, and A Week in the Woods. His inimitable laid-back style of writing draws in the reluctant reader and just sucks in the one who loves reading. See, the boys know early on that they will get caught eventually and decide to pass as one for just a week then accept their punishment. They want to do this to savor the freedom of just being one person, and not part of a pair. They know they are different, but they know they are treated like, well, twins.

What they discover, maybe not right away, but later when they think about it, after the story is over, is that people DO KNOW the difference between them, or at least people who matter to them. Therein lies half the story--to make this discovery. Clement treats the issues of rebellion, individuality, and initiative provocatively yet responsibly.

Oh yes, where did Clement get his source material on twins? His own twin sons, now grown. And that title--Lost and Found--very thematic!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cute Story..., August 21, 2008

By 

Fabulous (Lone Tree, CO) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Lost and Found (Hardcover)

(What's this?)

I've got twin boys and this story was so cute for them to read. They could identify with the story and it has quickly become a favorite bedtime read for the whole family. Illustrations was pleasing to the eyes and the font is a great size for beginning readers.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars fun easy read about twin boys, August 9, 2008

By 

Cathe Fein Olson "Avid reader and writer" (curled up with a book) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Lost and Found (Hardcover)

(What's this?)

Twelve-year old twins Jay and Ray are starting at yet another new school but when Ray is sick on the first day, Jay finds out that the school has no record of his brother. For the first time, he finds out what its like to have no twin - and he likes it. He hatches a plan and convinces his brother to go along. They will take turns going to school so they can both enjoy being on their own for the first time ever. It's great at first but then things get complicated . . . .

This is a fast moving, fun book without complicated plots or characters. Great for slightly older kids wanting a short, easy to read book.