Engage Reluctant Readers with Keepers of the Lost Cities

Twelve-year-old Sophie Foster has always known she was different—she’s a prodigy with photographic memory and can hear the thoughts of everyone around her, a troublesome talent that she’s kept secret her whole life. That is, until she meets a mysterious boy named Fitz who seems to share these same talents. With his help, Sophie discovers she’s actually an elf, part of a hidden world with its own set of rules, powers, and dangers. Fritz whisks her away from the human world and into the Lost Cities, where she attends an elite academy and starts to uncover the truth about her past — and why she has an important role to play.

Keeper of the Lost Cities kicks off an expansive fantasy series with strong world-building, fast pacing, and a compelling protagonist.

Shannon Messenger draws readers in quickly with intrigue, relatable emotions, and just enough humor to balance the turbulence of a high-stakes plot.

Sophie’s feelings of isolation and self-doubt will be familiar to many young readers, so her eventual growth into confidence is likely to be deeply satisfying as well.

Sophie is a smart, likable heroine that children will easily connect with, and the story’s blend of magic, friendship, and suspense makes it especially appealing to fans of Harry Potter and Percy Jackson.

Content notifications: mental health, medical trauma, PTSD.