Common Sense Media Review
By Amanda Nojadera
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Sisters search for hope in heartbreaking coming-of-age tale.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
Sol and Ming live in small-town Louisiana with their evil stepmother, Vea, after their father abandons them and returns to the Philippines. Wracked by guilt over the death of her younger sister, Amelia, Sol will do anything to protect her youngest sister, Ming. Using the vivid imagination she inherited from her mother, who died a year after Amelia, Sol tells stories of Auntie Jove -- their mother's legendary yet fictional adventure-seeking sister -- to inspire Ming to dream big and preserve her innocence. But when Ming begins to believe that Auntie Jove will rescue them, Sol weaves a beautiful tale about THE LAND OF FORGOTTEN GIRLS -- a magical place where nothing bad happens and kids know they're loved -- as an escape from their bleak reality.
Is It Any Good?
Erin Entrada Kelly's fairy tale blends pain and suffering with love and hope in this heartbreaking coming-of-age novel. Sol's beautiful tales, independent spirit, and determination to protect Ming at all costs contrast with Vea's coldness and cruelty, but the continuous abuse the sisters experience may be a difficult read for some middle schoolers. Although the ending feels rushed and predictable, it stresses the power of imagination and perseverance while providing a sense of hope for those who may feel forgotten.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how The Land of Forgotten Girls deals with child abuse, bullying, violence, and grief. How do these issues affect the characters, especially Sol and Ming?
How many fairy tales did you recognize in the book? How do they help the sisters cope? How does Vea compare to the evil stepmothers or villains of those fairy tales?
What does it mean to be a good sister, daughter, and friend?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Coming of Age
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Greenwillow Books
- Publication date : March 1, 2016
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 304
- Available on : Nook, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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