Sophie is the only twelve-year-old in her high school, but that is not the only reason she doesn't fit in. Other than being a genius, she is a Telepath, but no one knows this about her. Her life is forever changed when she meets a boy named Fitz, who can also read minds. When she learns about a place where she will actually fit in, and that staying with her family will place them in danger, Sophie must up and leave immediately and begin a new life in a place that is like nothing she has ever known. While most everyone welcomes her "home," not everyone is enthusiastic about her presence. This is because Sophie has some important secrets hidden in her memory. Secrets that some would kill for.

The Keeper of the Lost Cities is a fantastic book that is sure to please Harry Potter fans, especially girls in the 8-12 age range. Having many similarities to the Harry Potter series (main character doesn't fit in at home, learns she is not exactly human, goes to live with her own kind, etc.) it would be impossible not to compare the two. However, this story holds it own. The world that author Shannon Messenger creates is highly imaginative, and the characters are not only very well-written, but interesting, too. This is a book that sweeps you off your feet and into its magical world. There are numerous unpredictable twists and turns in the plot that keep the pace of this long story moving along swiftly. Sophie is easy to identify with as the misunderstood girl who doesn't fit in. She must leave her family to join the world where she belongs. As the book progresses, she learns more about herself and meets others like her. Her foster family is loving and her friends are memorable characters. Not only is there action, adventure, and fantasy, the story has some depth to it, too. Part of what makes it special is that there is some real emotion--characters have ups and downs that the reader will truly feel. The Keeper of the Lost Cities is pretty wholesome: no language or violence (other than bad guys chasing Sophie). With its cliffhanger ending, it looks to be the first in a series, one which is sure to be a hit with middle grade kids everywhere. Sophie's friends are boys, and for that reason it would appeal to boys who are open to reading a book with a female protagonist.
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