 | Sea legs Author: Bakes, Jules | |
| Price: $12.29 | ||
Summary:
Janey's family is sailing to the Caribbean in their boat, but it means Janey has to leave all her friends behind for a life at sea, and she discovers that when you are constantly on the move it can be difficult to connect to people. In graphic novel format.
| Illustrator: | Smith, Niki |
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: MG Reading Level: 2.80 Points: 2.0 Quiz: 555257 |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (+) (12/15/24)
School Library Journal (+) (00/01/25)
Booklist (+) (12/01/25)
The Hornbook (00/03/25)
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 01/01/2025 *Starred Review* This moving debut graphic novel set on tropical seas in 1995 explores connection, self-awareness, and the understanding that we don’t always know what someone else is going through. “We had spent years traveling before we landed here, so I knew how to miss things. Mom would say that’s just how you know they meant something to you.” Thanks to a life at sea, incoming fourth-grader Janey is adept at finding sentimental permanence in the temporary, and while the world is so big, it can feel quite small on a houseboat. When she meets Astrid, an older girl with a penchant for sneaking into places she shouldn’t, Janey begins to understand that everyone is their own main character and not all stories are as magical as her own. Though it's a struggle to realize, Janey begins to notice the depth and complexity of the people around her. Smith's artwork flows through different styles depending on the narrative’s needs; exaggerated manga-style facial expressions in a humorous scene flow smoothly into stunning horizons using tropical hues of pinks and blues. Occasional diagrams explain the layout and lifestyle of a houseboat. Adults in the book can be seen smoking and drinking. Inspired by the author’s childhood at sea, this graphic novel, by two lifelong friends, is a visually and emotionally vibrant must-read. - Copyright 2025 Booklist.
