The Boy Lost in the Maze

Praise

Previous collaborators Coelho and Milner (The Girl Who Became a Tree) offer a vulnerable, nuanced look at masculinity via a teenager’s search for his father paralleled with the Greek myth of Theseus. . . Coelho presents an insightful, multidimensional interpretation of a millennia-old myth.
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

The language is beautifully wrought. . . Besides being gorgeously realized, the story gets high marks for originality, which is high praise, indeed.
—Booklist (starred review)

Coehlo expertly uses poetic form here to straightforwardly connect the two heroes’ quests while cannily exposing the fits and starts of Theo’s growth. . . . The interludes that focus on the minotaur feel the most raw and authentic, with deeply felt contemplations on manhood, fathers, and what it feels like to be truly loved for who you are. An additional layer of complexity is offered by the occasional unique use of a “choose-your-own-adventure” style. . . a powerful, skillful poetic novel.
—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review)

Written in verse with nods to the classic Choose Your Own Adventure genre, this clever, well-paced novel leans into its interwoven format. . . . The tale of the Minotaur is relayed in a particularly refreshing and poignant way. Milner’s moving ink illustrations bolster an already vivid story. Thoughtful and well executed.
—Kirkus Reviews