Lily and the Lost Boy (ePub)

Paula Fox was a notable figure in contemporary American literature. She earned wide acclaim for her children's books, as well as for her novels and memoirs for adults. Born in New York City on April 22, 1923, her early years were turbulent. She moved from upstate New York to Cuba to California, and from one school to another. An avid reader at a young age, her love of literature sustained her through the difficulties of an unsettled childhood. At first, Fox taught high school, writing only when occasion permitted. Soon, however, she was able to devote herself to writing full-time, but kept a foot in the classroom by teaching creative writing at the University of Pennsylvania, New York University, and the State University of New York.

In her novels for young readers, Fox fearlessly tackles difficult topics such as death, race, and illness. She has received many distinguished literary awards including a Newbery Medal for The Slave Dancer (1974), a National Book Award for A Place Apart (1983), and a Newbery Honor for One-Eyed Cat (1984). Worldwide recognition for Fox's contribution to literature for children came with the presentation of the Hans Christian Andersen Award in 1978.

Fox's novels for adults have also been highly praised. Her 2002 memoir, Borrowed Finery, received the PEN/Martha Albrand Award for the Art of the Memoir, and in 2013 the Paris Review presented her with the Hadada Award, honoring her contribution to literature and the writing community. In 2011, Fox was inducted into the New York State Writers Hall of Fame.

Fox passed away in 2017 at the age of ninety-three.

“Greece itself is Fox’s protagonist, its roots in the past nourishing the present, its antiquities, vegetation, and people pulsing with vitality. . . . A quiet, beautifully crafted story.” —Kirkus Reviews, pointer review
 
“Another thought-provoking gem from Fox . . . Simply written, with strong characterizations and overtones of Greek tragedy, Lily and the Lost Boy is an excellent choice for readers who share Lily’s own budding characteristics: thoughtfulness, integrity, sensitivity, and courage. A beautifully written story for thoughtful readers.” —School Library Journal
 
“A haunting tale of American children living on the mysterious Greek island of Thasos . . . Beautifully written and filled with details of Greek daily life and island history.” —The New York Times Book Review
 
“Fox is unquestionably one of the most ambitious and skilled children’s writers around.” —Booklist, starred review
 
“Writing in a calm, conversational yet imagistic style, the author impressively conveys both the outer atmosphere of place and the inner, highly charged atmosphere of personal emotions.” —The Horn Book Magazine