The House of the Lost on the Cape

“The tender emotions following collective trauma are skillfully blended with the riveting supernatural action. . . . A powerful story of healing.” —Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

“This heartfelt novel by a popular Japanese children’s author . . . centers found family, weaving folklore, and magic into a tale of healing in the wake of natural disaster.” —Kirkus Reviews’ 10 Essential Middle-Grade Books for Fall 2023

“Kashiwaba’s moody work teems with ambient wonder and grim portent, offering glimpses of darkness without overwhelming the narrative’s uplifting tone.” —Publishers Weekly

“In this lightly magical novel, three women from different generations are brought together in the aftermath of the Tōhuku earthquake and tsunami: an orphaned girl, a woman fleeing an abusive marriage, and an elderly grandmother with no immediate family. The story unfolds in flowing language, and the black-and-white drawings sweetly accompany the mystical tale. Hiyori’s desire to find her voice and save her new family unfolds beautifully and will be treasured by many. Kashiwaba’s novel was originally published in serialized form in 2014, with an anime film adaptation in 2021 commemorating the 10th anniversary of the tragedy; this English translation will reach even more young fans of Japanese fantasy and found-family stories.” —Michele Shaw, School Library Journal

“Kashiwaba has a knack for world-building that seamlessly fuses the real with the fantastical. She gently guides readers through difficult subjects like trauma, death, and grief while offering a healthy dose of humor and hope. Avery Fischer Udagawa’s lucid English translation and Yukiko Saito’s charming black and white illustrations all help to make this beautiful, moving tale accessible to a global readership.” — Kelly Zhang, Words Without Borders

"Think Diana Wynne Jones . . . but with a firm grip on storytelling and Japanese folklore, interspersed with contemporary mystery fiction . . . it is a powerful combination." — GeekDad

“A must read for fans of disasters, magical creatures, found families, and Studio Ghibli films.” —Kristen Harvey, Mrs. Harvey’s Library

“The House of the Lost on the Cape is a layered, heart-gripping story with characters that you cannot help but feel so much for. We are so lucky to have this, and Obāchan’s stories, with us.” — Denise Tan, Closetful of Books (Singapore)

"Folktales, fantasy, and reality collide in this magical and powerful story." —Paula Holmes, World Kid Lit

“Udagawa left a huge number of Japanese words and cultural references in her translation and explained them with stealth glosses. . . . The technique provides a lot of information about Japan in general and life in the Tohoku region in particular and about Japanese folklore—it’s part of what I liked best about the book.” —Alison Fincher, Read Japanese Literature

“This magical found-family fantasy is nourishment for readers of all ages. It's a story of healing for the characters, yes—but also the sort of book that heals the reader, too.” —Marcia Lynx Qualey, translator of Wild Poppies by Haya Saleh

“Kashiwaba’s story focuses on a determined female trio who choose to create new lives for themselves in a town decimated by the tsunami, but still full of acceptance and resilience—both human and supernatural. An engaging read, ultra-smooth translation, illustrations that neatly set the scenes, and plenty to learn about life in a Japanese village.” —Deborah Iwabuchi, SCBWI Japan Translation Group