Zeyna Lost and Found

Shafaq Khan

In 1970, twelve-year-old Zeyna has grown up in London but has never quite felt like she fits in.

Her monotonous life is suddenly interrupted when Zeyna’s parents decide to visit their native Pakistan―where Zeyna feels she doesn’t fit in either. But then her parents disappear, leaving behind a string of clues that connect them to an international jewel heist.

Along with her annoying little brother and her clever Pakistani cousin, Zeyna sets out to find her parents and clear their names. Along the way, she discovers that being shaped by two cultures doesn’t have to mean she’s always an outsider.

Carolrhoda Books

Middle Grade Fiction

Age 9+
326 pp
hc | 140 x 190 mm
Publication: September 2025

Author: Shafaq Khan

All rights available, excl. Chinese (simpl. & compl.), Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Turkish

Page-turning mystery and adventure story, peppered with riddles, codes, high-stakes chases, and cameos for culturally significant locations.
Spotlights little-known cultural history, including the famous Hippie Trail - a route through Pakistan, Afghanistan, iran, and Turkey that was heavily used by international tourists from the 1950s until the late 1970s
Inspired by the real-life experiences of the author's mother-in-law, a Pakistani Londoner who travelled the Hippie Trail with her family in the 1970s

Awards

Press Reviews

“Filled with art heists, cultural immersion, detective woes, and kids plunging into dangerous situations without any hesitation, Khan’s debut is a fun historical adventure with a plot that feels like it exists almost outside of reality, but it remains grounded through its firm roots in culture and family.”—Booklist, 17 July 2025

“An entertaining cross-border adventure, sure to thrill readers.”—Kirkus Reviews, 26 June 2025

“Once I started, I could not put it down. I sat up far too late finishing Zeyna’s story; I had to see how it would end . . . An absolute winner.”—Deron R. Hicks, author of The Van Gogh Deception, 13 December 2024

“Filled with historical references, informational backmatter, and adventures in pre-revolution Iran and post-Partition Pakistan, this humorous anti-heist novel is the perfect introduction to historical events while reminding us that whether you’re from London or Kabul, we’re all just trying to protect the people we love.” — Lauren Pronger, Chapterhouse Books, Amarillo, TX

“If you’ve ever wanted to be an international super spy, this book scratches that itch! Zeyna Lost and Found features clever detective work, luscious cultural details, and follows a trail of clues across continents in pursuit of the jewel heist of the century! Aspiring detectives — this is for you!” — Heather Albinson, Wild Rumpus, Minneapolis, MN

“I love historical fiction, and I especially love historical fiction set in a time and place we rarely (if ever) see in middle grade. Zeyna is an eminently relatable twelve-year-old in 1970, visiting Pakistan (and maybe some other countries, too!) who always wants a mystery to solve…and finds a real one. Shafaq’s voice really comes through in such delightful ways in this super fun historical fiction mystery. I am so pleased that I get to hand this book to kids this fall!” — Grace Lane, Linden Tree Books, Los Altos, CA

By the same author and illustrator