Marvelous Middle Grade Monday # MMGM Book Review: Ida and the Unfinished City (The Lost Children Book 2) by Carolyn Cohagan

 

Ida is sixteen-years-old, but everyone treats her like she's a child. As frustrating as that is, she can't blame anyone because her appearance is frozen at what she looked like when she was twelve. After losing her parents, Ida is desperate to find a treatment that will allow her to age properly. She wants to grow up on the inside and the outside. She has spent years chasing the treatment, but nothing works. Finally one of her tactics lands on the Unfinished City. It is unlike anything she has ever seen before and she is shocked when she discovers that a giant wave floods the city every year and destroys everything. The people need to rebuild over and over again. She can't figure out why most of the people seem happy and are okay with losing all their possessions. Why would people want to live this way? Are the people who think differently dangerous? Ida is having a hard time figuring out who to trust, but she does have a lead on the treatment. If only she could get a straight answer out of someone. The Unfinished City may be just the place for her to finally be cured. Will Ida get the treatment and change? Is there a way for her to get back to the land she came from? Does she want to leave? You will have to get lost in this unique city and story to find out. 

I enjoyed Ida and the Unfinished City by Carolyn Cohagan. The cover appealed to me right away. Even though I hadn't read The Lost Children, it was very easy to follow along with Ida on her adventures. Nothing seemed hard to follow, so I would definitely say this book can be read as a stand alone. Ida is a tough girl with many survival skills. It was interesting to watch the way she reacted to the people she met. Like Ida, I was curious about the people who chose to build low when a giant wave was sure to wash away all of their belongings- and possibly their loved ones. It reminded me that it is always important to listen to others and hear their story so you can get a feel for their perspective. Ida had lots of decisions to make and there was plenty of tension and excitement. Now that I finished this book, I plan to go back and read the first book in the series. I recommend this book to people in fourth grade and up who enjoy a mixture of fantasy and reality. 

Has anyone else read Ida and the Unfinished City or The Lost Children? Or have you read another book by Carolyn Cohagan? We'd love to hear your thoughts!

Happy Reading!
~L

For other MMGM posts, please visit Greg Pattridge's blog.