- Hardcover: 368 pages
- Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers (March 14, 2017)
- Language: English
- Amazon * BN * Book Depository
I’ll Give You the Sun meets True Detective in this brilliant YA debut about saints, sisters, and learning to let go.
Tess da Costa is a saint—a hand-to-god, miracle-producing saint. At least that’s what the people in her hometown of New Avon, Massachusetts, seem to believe. And when Tess suddenly and tragically passes aw
ay, her small city begins feverishly petitioning the Pope to make Tess’s sainthood official. Tess’s mother is ecstatic over the fervor, while her sister Callie, the one who knew Tess best, is disgusted—overcome with the feeling that her sister is being stolen from her all over again.
The fervor for Tess’s sainthood only grows when Ana Langone, a local girl who’s been missing for six months, is found alive at the foot of one of Tess’s shrines. It’s the final straw for Callie. With the help of Tess’s secret boyfriend Danny, Callie’s determined to prove that Tess was something far more important than a saint; she was her sister, her best friend and a girl in love with a boy. But Callie’s investigation uncovers much more than she bargained for—a hidden diary, old family secrets, and even the disturbing truth behind Ana’s kidnapping. Told in alternating perspectives, A Psalm for Lost Girls is at once funny, creepy and soulful—an impressive debut from a rising literary star.
Tawney’s Review: A Psalm For Lost Girls was beautifully written. The cover is gorgeous and I was immersed from the start.
This book had everything in it. Kidnapping to sainthood to mental illness. But most of all this is about sisterhood. Tess is seen as a saint but when she dies her sister Callie is left in the wake of unanswered questions. When a campaign is started to make Tess a Saint Callie seeks out the truth in frustration and anger.
A girl named Ana, who was kidnapped, is found alive and the passion for Tess’s Sainthood grows. So Callie sets out to prove them all wrong, that Tess was just a normal girl. I loved the story of Tess and Callie. Sisterhood is a bond, just like my twin sister and I. I connected with Callie and her truth to find the answers about Tess.
Katie writes beautifully and the pace grows with each page with anticipation of the outcome. I found myself suspended in Katie’s world with this complicated sisterhood and the grief that comes with the loss of it.
Should you read it? Yes! A wonderful book that delves into sisterhood with a compelling mystery.
About the author Katie Bayerl:
I do a lot of things: writing, teaching, consulting. You may be wondering: Does this Katie person have a life?
Well, first of all, I love the work I do—and it’s a very big part of my life—but, yes, I have other interests too. Thanks for asking!
Twinning for Books 
Great review and fun gifs too! I love that this debut author can write so well and capture the reader right from the start. I have to read this book a part of my debut author challenge because it sounds very unique, mysterious and emotional.
Yes right? It was great. Hope you had a chance to pick it up.
I cannot wait to read this book because it sounds amazing!
It’s so good. I hope you read it!