Lost and Found

In the story’s rising action, Schraff deepens the complexity of the characters as they begin Questioning Preconceptions and Embracing Possibilities, as well as confronting their inner pain. Darcy begins to show emotional growth and maturity as she stands up for herself and others, challenging Brisana for insulting Tarah and making classist remarks, refusing to let her continue calling Tarah names. This shift shows Darcy growing more confident and grounded in her own morals. Her instincts toward friendship with Tarah are proven to be correct when Tarah is the first to apologize to Darcy for their earlier conflict, a gesture that not only reveals her strength of character but also begins to build trust between the two girls. A turning point in Darcy’s growing understanding of the limitations of her narrow perspective occurs after Cooper saves her from an attack by Bobby. When Tarah explains that Cooper wants to be a firefighter and is genuinely kind, Darcy is forced to reevaluate her judgment of him. Tarah also begins to brighten around Darcy, grinning whenever Darcy chooses to sit with her or accept her company, hinting at a growing friendship that allows both girls to feel seen and valued.

These chapters also feature the return of Jamee and Darcy’s estranged father and all the emotional turmoil that follows. The gap between their past with him and the present reality is highlighted by the difference in his appearance: To their shock, he looks nothing like the man they remember, and Jamee describes him as reappearing “like a stranger in the night” (75). The emotional aftermath is particularly hard on their mother, who, upon hearing of his return, collapses into uncontrollable sobs while Darcy begins seeking out signs of him in their neighborhood. She surprises herself by feeling a tinge of disappointment when he isn’t there, illustrating her continued conflicting feelings about him but also exhibiting her willingness to be vulnerable, the result of her new friendships.

The tension intensifies as both emotional and physical threats surround Darcy’s daily life. In her personal life, the family visits Aunt Charlotte, a bitter and judgmental woman who hasn’t visited Grandma and instead complains about everything and everyone. Jamee finally explodes, accusing Charlotte of neglect and hypocrisy, bringing silent family resentments to the surface. These scenes of Darcy’s family illustrate the complicated tensions of the family dynamic, while their effects on Darcy and Jamee highlight How Family Shapes Growth in Adolescence. Meanwhile, even as she makes friends at school, the tension there increases as well. Darcy becomes the target of threats, including a mysterious note at school accusing her of wrongdoing, and she receives a phone call that’s nothing but a terrifying scream. This suspense escalates when Darcy calls the police on the man stalking her, only to find out it’s her long-lost father. However, Darcy also shows her increasing ability to deal with these events, thanks to her growing maturity and supportive new friends. Darcy starts distancing herself from Brisana and spends more time with Tarah and Cooper, whose kindness and sincerity contrast with Brisana’s negativity. As the mystery around the threats builds, Darcy experiences moments of peace and connection, such as being asked out by her longtime crush, Hakeem, a moment described as “a completely unexpected surge of joy” (98), which acts as a much-needed moment of hope for Darcy.

Schraff continues to use motifs like memory and rap music to deepen the thematic threads of the narrative. Memory is often tied to feelings of longing, pain, or disillusionment. When Darcy receives her father’s phone number, “written in his familiar fancy script. It brought a fresh rush of pain into Darcy’s heart” (74). The note immediately evokes and happier past and becomes a symbol of how a simple gesture can reopen unresolved wounds. Darcy’s memories of happier times, such as when their father took them to the giant cedar tree and dubbed Jamee a princess, are contrasted with the unhappy reality of who he has become. Grandma’s wisdom also reappears in Darcy’s reflections, particularly her advice not to hold grudges, suggesting that memory can guide healing as well as sorrow. Rap music continues to function as a motif as well, often used to reflect Jamee’s internal chaos and the environment both sisters are navigating. One example occurs when Darcy hears a rap song at school that threatens violence: “Maybe you gonna die / Ain’t it a shame?” (80). The music plays in the background during the scene where she is attacked, adding a layer of foreboding while also connecting the tension to her sister Jamee.

Schraff uses a variety of stylistic techniques to build emotional intensity and suspense. Foreshadowing is used with the mysterious man at the bus stop, whose presence builds fear over several scenes before the shocking reveal that he’s actually the girls’ father. Suspense is further amplified with the anonymous threats and the scream-filled phone call. The author also uses figurative language to convey emotional outbursts and epiphanies. When Darcy finally opens up to Tarah about her father, the narration describes “the words rushing out like water suddenly released from a dam” (90), showcasing the emotional pressure that had been building inside her. Darcy’s perception of Jamee’s chaotic life is expressed in poetic prose: “In Jamee’s world of ear-shattering hip-hop music, of a much-loved, now almost lost Grandma, a boyfriend who hurt and betrayed her, a father who abandoned her, even a slim thread of hope flared bright against the darkness. But now it too had gone out” (96), emphasizing the fragility of hope. Finally, the moment when Hakeem asks Darcy out is accented with romantic imagery such as “the lights in his eyes sparkled like gold dust” (99), creating a moment of light and possibility within the novel’s heavier moments.