Sara zarr born october 3, 1970 is an american writer. Sara zarr tackles issues of faith headon in her third novel, once was lost. But her mother is in rehab, and her father seems more interested in his congregation than his family. Aug 26, 2009 once was lost sara zarr sometimes it seems like ya fiction with a religious theme fit into three basic categories. Faith takes a front seat in national book awardfinalist zarrs story of a girl hardhitting third novel. Sara zarr once was lost 1st edition 1st printing ebay. The main characters of this young adult, fiction story are samara taylor. Fifteenyearold samara is fed up with a summer when everything is brokenthe airconditioner, the ceiling fan, the icemaker, even her family. Inspired by the kidnapping of elizabeth smart and zarrs christian roots, her third book, once was lost also published as what we lost addresses issues of faith, identity and home. In the midst of a series of traumatic events sam develops a fascination for xeriscaping, the art of creating a garden that needs only a bare minimum of rain to flourish. Left out of nonchristian activities on the weekends because shes the pastors daughter, she sinks into depression and a crisis in faith in sara zarrs once was lost. Once was lost is the definition of ya realistic fiction. She is the author of sweethearts and the national book award finalist, story of a girl and can be found on the web at.
Once in a while, a book comes along that just makes you go, woah. Luckily, this novel was written by sara zarr, who is more than capable of packing a lot into a slim volume both in terms of content and emotional impact. Sara zarr was raised in san francisco, went to high school in pacifica, and now lives with her husband in salt lake city, utah. Sam used to help her dad get ready for the sunday services, and prayed every night with her parents. Though the shaw tragedy has affected everyone, readers see it through the eyes of 15yearold samara taylor, whose father is the shaws pastor and spokesperson. Lets not waste any time in talking about the book that recently did that for me. Oct 01, 2009 sara zarr is the acclaimed author of four novels for young adults. The story opens with the main character samira, the teenaged daughter of the beloved local pastor, lamenting the fact that everything seems to be broken at her house, from. Published in 2009, sara zarr s once was lost is at once a fascinating mystery story and a moving, realistic exploration of difficult but pertinent issues of faith, human frailty, and coming of. At its heart, once was lost is about a girl living through family life so painful that it causes her to question her longheld faith in god. Samara taylor is a teenage daughter of a pastor in their small town. Once was lost by sara zarr at the best online ebook storage.
Author sara zarr introduces her book once was lost youtube. Aug 26, 2009 in her third novel, acclaimed author sara zarr examines the coexistence of affliction and hope, and what happens when everything you thought you believedabout god, about your family, about. Her first novel, story of a girl, was a 2007 national book award finalist. She is the author of once was lost, how to save a life, and story of more about sara zarr. While her mother is serving a suggested courtordered rehab for dui, her father, charismatic pastor charlie, has time. Sara zarr, quote from once was lost its not words, so much, just my mind going blank and thoughts reaching up up up, me wishing i could climb through the ceiling and over the stars until i can find god, really see god, and know once and for all that everything ive believed my whole life is true, and real.
National book award finalist sara zarr delivers a powerful novel originally published under the title once was lost about community, family, faith, and one girls realization that sometimes you have to lose everything to find whats been missing all along. Once was lost is a great book that explores a young teens questions about faith and god when times are tough and when it seems like there is no hope left. Once was lost by sara zarr meet your next favorite book. In her third novel, acclaimed author sara zarr examines the coexistence of affliction and hope, and what happens when everything you thought. Sara zarr is a decidedly skilled writer who weaves themes of family, love, and faith throughout a novel that families should embrace and discuss.
Sara has contributed short fiction and essays to the anthologies does this book make me look fat stories about lovingand loathingyour body, geektastic. May 19, 20 once in a while, a book comes along that just makes you go, woah. October 2009 original hardcover and paperback cover. Theres one public school for all grades, one private school where i go, or went, i guess, one post office thats really a trailer off the pass, one library, and one grocery store where the whole town shops except for those who drive thirtyeight miles to. The first edition of the novel was published in october 1st 2009, and was written by sara zarr. Once was lost sara zarr little, brown books for young readers published on october 1, 2009. Once was lost by sara zarr 2011, paperback for sale. Sara zarr is the acclaimed author of three novels for young adults.
Once was lost follows the life of 15 year old, samara taylor over a two week period in early august. Review of once was lost by sara zarr, plus backstory and other interesting facts about the book. The abduction of yearold jody shaw has absolutely devastated the small, closeknit community of pineview, calif. Sara zarrs once was lost might just be her best novel yet, and thats saying a lot.
Once was lost by zarr, sara and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Zarr s latest book is an excellent, nonpreachy look at faith and religion that any reader, believer or not, can enjoy. Sep 22, 2009 sara zarrs third novel is a triumph, a novel whose gentle pacing and complicated protagonist stole my heart. In her third novel, acclaimed author sara zarr examines the coexistence of affliction and hope, and what happens when everything you thought you believedabout god, your family, and yourselfis transformed. Once was lost, paperback by zarr, sara, isbn 031603603x, isbn 9780316036030, brand new, free shipping in the us as the tragedy of a missing girl unfolds in her small town, fifteenyearold samara, who feels emotionally abandoned by her parents, begins to question her faith. Once was lost isnt a hugely dramatic novel full of twists and turns, but it is a gripping, sometimes heartbreaking look at how ordinary people learn to deal with a less than perfect world. Download and read online for free once was lost by sara zarr. She was raised in san francisco, and now lives in salt lake city, utah with her husband. Also republished briefly as what we lost in paperback only.
The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 6 pages and is available in audiobook format. Sara zarr is the acclaimed author of four novels for young adults. See all books authored by sara zarr, including story of a girl, and sweethearts, and more on. I recommend it to anyone who has lived through tough times and. Before i get into the plot of once was lost, let me say a few words about what prompted that, woah.
Sam is the daughter of charlie taylor, pastor of one of the numerous churches in pineview. This book about faith and family is as far from prosaic as it gets. Her beautiful mother is in rehab after being arrested for driving under the influence. Once was lost sara zarr sometimes it seems like ya fiction with a religious theme fit into three basic categories. She once stared at a poster depicting teens of different races and imagined them as her best friends. Once was lost by sara zarr books hachette australia. Once was lost is set in this very small, rural town.
Feb 03, 2011 once was lost by sara zarr is a remarkable work of young adult, christian fiction. Once was lost has 4 available editions to buy at half price books marketplace. But after her mother gets a dui, she is stuck with her dad and their badlymanaged house. Tragedy strikes this small town, affecting and devastating all involved. What does sara zarr bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you just read the. Would you consider the audio edition of once was lost to be better than the print version. Fans of zarr s writing in sweethearts will enjoy once was lost, as will those who liked everything is fine by ann dee ellis and any novel by sarah dessen or deb caletti.
National book award finalist sara zarr examines a teen girls feelings of abandonment in the face of her parents separation and her obsession with a local girl who has gone missing. Once was lost isnt a hugely dramatic novel full of twists and turns, but it is a gripping, sometimes heartbreaking look at how ordinary people learn to deal with a. Fans of zarrs writing in sweethearts will enjoy once was lost, as will those who liked everything is fine by ann dee ellis and any novel by sarah dessen or deb caletti. Once was lost by sara zarr the very cool sara zarr, our featured author from may for sweethearts, is here to talk about the cover of her latest book, once was lost. Little, brown books for young readers, jan 4, 2011 young adult fiction 224 pages. Once was lost, a novel by sara zarr, also published as what we lost. In her third novel, acclaimed author sara zarr examines the coexistence of affliction and hope, and what happens when everything you thought you believed. As her family deals, or actually doesnt deal, with an embarrassing crisis in their own family unit. In once was lost, zarr parallels the many small tragedies in one persons life with a larger tragedy in the community. Sara zarr s once was lost might just be her best novel yet, and thats saying a lot. As the tragedy of a missing girl enfolds in her small town, fifteenyearold samara, who feels emotionally abandoned by her parents, begins to question her faith. Once was lost book by sara zarr 4 available editions.
This rare combination of indepth character study and gripping mystery relies on a strong sense of emotional truth to do justice to some tough subject matter without graphic or violent scenes. The story opens with the main character samira, the teenaged daughter of the beloved local pastor, lamenting the fact that everything seems to be broken at her house, from the air conditioning to the yard to her her family itself. Once was lost is a delicate and thoughtful tale that will appeal to more pensive readers or anyone whos ever doubted. Jane kivik free download or read online once was lost pdf epub book. Faith takes a front seat in national book awardfinalist zarr s story of a girl hardhitting third novel. In the midst of sams burgeoning doubt, yearold jody from her youth group disappears without a trace. Sara zarr s third novel is a triumph, a novel whose gentle pacing and complicated protagonist stole my heart. October 2009 original hardcover and paperback cover little, brown books for young. Through the eyes of sam, we see one persons struggles when the adults around her have made and continue to make bad choices. The protagonist of sara zarr s recent novel once was lost, samara taylor, is the teenage daughter of a pastor who leads a small congregation in the desert of eastern oregon. Once a year people from all over the west come here for the migratory bird festival.
Sara zarr was raised in san francisco, went to high school in pacifica, california, and now lives with her husband in salt lake city, utah. In her third novel, zarr examines the coexistence of affliction and hope, and what happens when everything you thought you believed about god. And when a young girl in her small town is kidnapped, her alreadyworn thread of faith begins to. Her short fiction and essays have also appeared in image, hunger mountain, and several anthologies. Pdf once was lost book by sara zarr free download 6 pages. Praise for once was lost beyond delivering a gripping story, zarr has a knack for exposing human weakness in the ordinary. Once was lost by sara zarr 2011, paperback for sale online.
Family general see also headings under social themes book. Free download or read online once was lost pdf epub book. Story of a girl national book award finalist, sweethearts cybil award finalist, once was lost a kirkus best book of 2009 and how to save a life. Beyond delivering a gripping story, zarr has a knack for exposing human weakness in the ordinary. Its a good book for thinking and reflecting, for feeling and remembering. In her third novel, zarr examines the coexistence of affliction and hope, and what happens when everything you thought you believed about god, about your family, about yourself is transformed. As the tragedy of a missing girl enfolds in her small town, fifteenyearold samara, who feels emotionally abandoned by her parents, begins to. The original title comes from the hymn amazing grace written by john newton. Once was lost by sara zarr is a remarkable work of young adult, christian fiction. Feb 02, 2010 once was lost is a delicate and thoughtful tale that will appeal to more pensive readers or anyone whos ever doubted. Once was lost shows struggle and redemption, forgiveness and transformation. I think sara zarr is a standout author and once was lost is, i think, her best yet.