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“ Reviewed by Breanna F. for TeensReadToo.com
TeensReadToo.com wrote this review Monday, July 20 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
15-year-old Mackenzie Hill is still recovering from the loss of her mother when her father announces that they're moving to Israel because he was offered a position at a university there.
Being torn away from the only home she has ever known in Toronto, Canada, is not Mackenzie's idea of a good time. Her father promises that if after three months she still doesn't like it there, she can move back to Canada, and she plans to do just that.
But soon Mackenzie meets an American girl named Marla who has lived in Israel for a few years. They discover that they have something in common, and she helps to show Mackenzie around. In no time at all, the two become best friends.
Also, Mackenzie discovers an amazingly cute boy named Nasir who works at a little shop near her apartment. Soon (even though Nasir's parents would forbid it if they knew) Mackenzie and Nasir start dating, little to the knowledge of Mackenzie's father and Nasir's parents.
Soon the three-month period is up - and Mackenzie doesn't mention going back home. Things are going so well and Mackenzie is actually happy with her life. But one day something happens that will quickly change everything..
First off, I have to say that this book was pretty intense. There was indeed a point where I cried. The whole book moved at a pretty fast speed, and near the end it was action-packed, which was a surprise (but it was a good surprise). Not one part of MACKENZIE, LOST AND FOUND was dull to me.
After the first few chapters of just Mackenzie talking it switches, and most every other chapter after that is a chapter told from Nasir's point of view. So the story is told from two different points of view, which I always like.
Ms. Kerbel is a strong writer and I definitely look forward to reading something else by her. I'd recommend this book to anyone who's interested in what's going on in the Middle East, and to readers who don't mind a heart-wrenching story.”
“Still dealing with the tragic loss of her mother, the last thing Mackenzie Hill expects or wants is to be forcibly removed from her native Canada to attend an archeological dig in Israel with her eccentric father. Living in foreign Jerusalem couldn’t be more different than her safe home in the Western Hemisphere, with the soldiers everywhere, different languages Mackenzie can’t understand, and currency she doesn’t know how to use—an entire new mix of cultures. Mackenzie slowly gets used to this new life, eased by becoming friends with an American girl who can empathize with her. But her romantic involvement with a Palestinian boy shows her another side of Israel—still culturally rich and unique but also dangerous. Now Mackenzie has to find a way to navigate her mounting problems of grief from her mother’s death, her forbidden relationship with Nasir, and her unintended involvement with a shady black market scheme of stolen artifacts.
The Book Muncher wrote this review Saturday, May 9 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Mackenzie, Lost and Found is an ambitious mystery, romance, and coming of age story that also tackles the issues of cultural clashes, poverty, and overcoming grief. In this attempt Kerbel is mostly successful, particularly in her superb depiction of Israel. I enjoyed Kerbel’s accurate portrayal of the different cultures and religious that mix in this small country and the disputes that arise from their contact; however, the depth of these rifts between Islam, Judaism, and Christianity and references to certain regions near Israel such as the West Bank may not be comprehended by readers who haven’t previously studied the history of the Middle East. The mystery with the black market and its connection to Nasir’s, Mackenzie’s boyfriend, family is cleverly intertwined and realistic, showing the negative effects poverty has on the desperately poor. Mackenzie’s personal struggles that accompany growing up are also interesting to read about, and I liked how her trip to Israel ended up being a sort of spiritual cure for her. I really enjoyed these most important aspects of the novel, but the rest needed to be better refined. The romance is slightly clichéd, most of Mackenzie’s background remains unknown, Nasir is poorly characterized, Mackenzie’s first person narration is awkwardly combined with snippets from Nasir’s life, and the ending is disappointingly cut off. These little details are a little bothersome, but I nevertheless appreciate this creative novel.
Mackenzie, Lost and Found appeals to a wide audience, including anyone who enjoys romances, mysteries, history, culture, or coming of age novels. Fans of Cruel Summer by Alyson Noël, Amor and Summer Secrets by Diana Rodriguez Wallach, Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles, and Alive and Well in Prague, New York by Daphne Grab will also like this culturally relevant novel.
reposted from http://thebookmuncher.blogspot.com”
“Title: Mackenzie, Lost and Found
Kelsey wrote this review Tuesday, January 6 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Author: Deborah Kerbel
Publisher: Dundurn Group
Reading Level: Yound Adult
Publication Date: November 17, 2008
Pages: 249
Rating: A-
Plot - 18/20
Characters - 17/20
Writing - 18/20
Originality - 20/20
Entertainment - 9/10
Recommendation - 9/10
Total: 91/100
Summary:
Still mourning the sudden loss of her mother, fifteen-year old Mackenzie Hill feels like she’s drowning in a sea of pain and loneliness. To make matters worse, her eccentric father is forcing her to leave behind the only home she’s ever known and move with him to Israel.
Coming of age in the ancient city of Jerusalem, Mackenzie quickly becomes caught up in a forbidden romance and an unwitting involvement in a shadowy ring of black-market bandits. Can she solve the mystery of the stolen artifacts without betraying her first love? And will she finally come to terms with the grief that had been slowly eating away at her heart…here in the last place in the world she ever wanted to be?
Review:
I was a little hesitant about starting this book because I wasn't so sure that it would be really my type of book. But once I started it, I couldn't stop reading. The book starts if Mackenzie and her dad in the Israeli Airport, and them discover firsthand what Israel will be like. Which is insane. Getting a look at what Jerusalem is like was just crazy. You wouldn't expect what it's like there unless you've been there or study it or something. But it shocked me, to tell you the least.
Mackenzie is a young innocent girl before she moved to Jerusalem, and when reading this book, she changed, and you could see it. This book really is a poignant coming of age story with a twist.
The fact the Mackenzie's and Nasir's relationship was a forbidden one is Nasir's family's eyes because of their Muslim religion, made the book even more addicting.
The outcome of the novel was semi-satisfying. I thought it was a good ending, but, from my love of the characters, was hoping for something else to go down. But, I was happy with it.
Kerbel is a great writer. With a writing style that is familiar but distinctive at once. She gives a taste of what's there but keeps you wanting more and more. Overall, this novel was a very well done and extremely original. I hope to read more of Kerbel soon enough.
”
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