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When Sea Becomes Sky
In this heartfelt summer story, acclaimed author Gillian McDunn paints a stunning portrait of the bond of siblings and the love we'll always carry with us.
Bex and Davey's summer in the saltmarsh is different this year, thanks to the record-breaking drought. Even the fish seem listless--and each day the water level lowers farther. When they discover a mysterious underwater statue, they're thrilled at the chance to solve the puzzle of its origin. This is the summer adventure they've been waiting for.
When they learn of a development plan that will destroy their special spot, they'll need to act quickly. Unfortunately, sometimes progress happens whether you're ready or not. What will it mean if Bex and Davey lose their corner of the marsh where otters frolic and dragonflies buzz--their favorite place to be siblings together?
As Bex and Davey attempt to save the statue and their beloved marsh, they come to see that the truth is not as simple as it seems . . . ultimately discovering so much more about life, permanence, love, and loss than they ever expected.
Award-winning author Gillian McDunn crafts a gorgeous story of love and siblinghood, of secret statues and island life, of holding on and letting go.
Bex and Davey's summer in the saltmarsh is different this year, thanks to the record-breaking drought. Even the fish seem listless--and each day the water level lowers farther. When they discover a mysterious underwater statue, they're thrilled at the chance to solve the puzzle of its origin. This is the summer adventure they've been waiting for.
When they learn of a development plan that will destroy their special spot, they'll need to act quickly. Unfortunately, sometimes progress happens whether you're ready or not. What will it mean if Bex and Davey lose their corner of the marsh where otters frolic and dragonflies buzz--their favorite place to be siblings together?
As Bex and Davey attempt to save the statue and their beloved marsh, they come to see that the truth is not as simple as it seems . . . ultimately discovering so much more about life, permanence, love, and loss than they ever expected.
Award-winning author Gillian McDunn crafts a gorgeous story of love and siblinghood, of secret statues and island life, of holding on and letting go.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published February 28, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 156 reviews
February 21, 2023
WHEN SEA BECOMES SKY is a bittersweet and thoughtful story set during a drought in the Carolina salt marshes. Bex and her little brother Davey spend the summer exploring the marshes on Pelican Island, when one day they stumble upon the hand of an old statue reaching up out of the water. As the drought continues and the water recedes, more of the curious statue is revealed. At the same time, they find out that their beloved marsh is in danger of being destroyed by a bridge development plan.
This was a beautifully written and emotional middle grade novel about loss, grief, and finding a way to move on when faced with profound change. The stunning symbolism presented is on point, from the drought and statue's mystery, to the ever-changing marsh itself. The vibrant descriptions of the salt marshes made me feel like I was there with Bex and Davey, and I was rooting for them to solve the mystery of the statue. This is an amazing sibling adventure story with a deep and memorable meaning underneath. Highly recommended! ♥
Thank you to the publisher for providing me an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.
This was a beautifully written and emotional middle grade novel about loss, grief, and finding a way to move on when faced with profound change. The stunning symbolism presented is on point, from the drought and statue's mystery, to the ever-changing marsh itself. The vibrant descriptions of the salt marshes made me feel like I was there with Bex and Davey, and I was rooting for them to solve the mystery of the statue. This is an amazing sibling adventure story with a deep and memorable meaning underneath. Highly recommended! ♥
Thank you to the publisher for providing me an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.
April 11, 2024
*Libby app, Overdrive was better*
This book gave more to me than I thought. It misleads you but not in the way you think. You'll laugh, cry, reminisce about people,and want to hold everyone closer.
It's a story about not staying stuck in certain emotions. It's about family. It's about having a special bond and a special place to share with. It's about grief and holding on to happiness.
I wasn't sure about this at first but I am really glad I ended up giving it a shot.
This book gave more to me than I thought. It misleads you but not in the way you think. You'll laugh, cry, reminisce about people,and want to hold everyone closer.
It's a story about not staying stuck in certain emotions. It's about family. It's about having a special bond and a special place to share with. It's about grief and holding on to happiness.
I wasn't sure about this at first but I am really glad I ended up giving it a shot.
June 7, 2023
"It had been a just-us kind of summer, our schedule set only by the sun."
"You said you write stories and that you’ve been stuck. The only way forward is to start, even if you don’t know where you’ll end up."
I loved seeing this same illustration below before each chapter. I didn't notice at first there were slight differences in each, changing a bit the perception of time, showing the progression of the plot and those things that change for the characters inside this beautifully crafted story I enjoyed.
Within moments I was completely absorbed by Bex and Davies' summer adventure, a mystery to be solved. There were many lines about what it feels like to be a writer. I especially loved that those observations were coming from a child's (Bex) perspective. This tale also reminded me of Where the Forest Meets the Star because of a marsh, studying the nature and one of the main characters being a tween. Also the narration felt in the same vein with Summerlost, where the 12-year-old main character Cedar finds herself surrounded by mystery in a town where her family returned to for the summer. Same elusive patterns in both the stories, like in When Sea Becomes Sky, make them special!
"As far as telling the truth goes, this is a big one: in life, we all need someone to remind us of who we really are. I was lucky enough to have that person as my brother. He always managed to see the best parts of me, even when I couldn’t."
Quotes on writing:
Images:
1. Art by Elina Ellis
2 & 3. Art by Yaoyao Ma Van As
4. Art by Claudia Tremblay
"You said you write stories and that you’ve been stuck. The only way forward is to start, even if you don’t know where you’ll end up."
I loved seeing this same illustration below before each chapter. I didn't notice at first there were slight differences in each, changing a bit the perception of time, showing the progression of the plot and those things that change for the characters inside this beautifully crafted story I enjoyed.
Within moments I was completely absorbed by Bex and Davies' summer adventure, a mystery to be solved. There were many lines about what it feels like to be a writer. I especially loved that those observations were coming from a child's (Bex) perspective. This tale also reminded me of Where the Forest Meets the Star because of a marsh, studying the nature and one of the main characters being a tween. Also the narration felt in the same vein with Summerlost, where the 12-year-old main character Cedar finds herself surrounded by mystery in a town where her family returned to for the summer. Same elusive patterns in both the stories, like in When Sea Becomes Sky, make them special!
"As far as telling the truth goes, this is a big one: in life, we all need someone to remind us of who we really are. I was lucky enough to have that person as my brother. He always managed to see the best parts of me, even when I couldn’t."
Quotes on writing:
Images:
1. Art by Elina Ellis
2 & 3. Art by Yaoyao Ma Van As
4. Art by Claudia Tremblay
April 9, 2023
I AM WRECKED.
What I thought this book would have: Fun adventures, puzzling mystery, kids on a mission, environmentalism, idyllic summer vibes, quaint escapist setting that makes me feel I'm there with the characters. And yes I got all of that but also...
What I wasn't expecting: To be shaken to my core, for my heart to break, to feel all the feels.
This book was breathtaking, from the atmospheric setting to the lyrical writing to the beautiful plot. It explored themes of loss and grief but also love and healing; breaking my heart and putting it back together again. Overall, a highly moving read that I would recommend to all ages!
Even the author's note made me emotional, with Gillian McDunn thanking readers for trusting her with our reckless and tender hearts. Well, I would like to thank her for trusting us with When Sea Becomes Sky. Indeed love never ends.
Thank you Bloomsbury Children's Books for the physical and Netgalley ARC.
Favorite quotes:
✨ "When you truly know someone, words are optional."
✨ "How can you be okay with having something special and then losing it forever?"
✨ "Sometimes holding on to that pain is a way to try to keep them here with us."
✨ "I know that a good writer tells the truth. And I'm trying so hard to be good. But what is a writer with words that are all dried up?"
✨ "After a heart stretches out, it never goes back to the same shape. But maybe sometimes there's more room than there was before."
What I thought this book would have: Fun adventures, puzzling mystery, kids on a mission, environmentalism, idyllic summer vibes, quaint escapist setting that makes me feel I'm there with the characters. And yes I got all of that but also...
What I wasn't expecting: To be shaken to my core, for my heart to break, to feel all the feels.
This book was breathtaking, from the atmospheric setting to the lyrical writing to the beautiful plot. It explored themes of loss and grief but also love and healing; breaking my heart and putting it back together again. Overall, a highly moving read that I would recommend to all ages!
Even the author's note made me emotional, with Gillian McDunn thanking readers for trusting her with our reckless and tender hearts. Well, I would like to thank her for trusting us with When Sea Becomes Sky. Indeed love never ends.
Thank you Bloomsbury Children's Books for the physical and Netgalley ARC.
Favorite quotes:
✨ "When you truly know someone, words are optional."
✨ "How can you be okay with having something special and then losing it forever?"
✨ "Sometimes holding on to that pain is a way to try to keep them here with us."
✨ "I know that a good writer tells the truth. And I'm trying so hard to be good. But what is a writer with words that are all dried up?"
✨ "After a heart stretches out, it never goes back to the same shape. But maybe sometimes there's more room than there was before."
January 11, 2023
Thank you to the publisher for an ARC of this upcoming book (releases on Feb 28th).
Wow. I read the synopsis for this book when it first came out, but since I’ve been avoiding the buzz until I had a chance to read it myself, I had forgotten what it was about. I went into it cold this morning and went on an emotional roller coaster of a read with ALL the feels as I inhaled it. It’s one of those books that you can’t say a whole lot about without giving spoilers, but words like “profound,” “insightful,” and “unputdownable” immediately come to mind. What I most enjoyed was the story took me to places I wasn’t expecting, and I could tell the author was writing from a place of personal experience because it felt raw and honest. I’m amazed at how much was said in just under 200 pages.
This story will elicit an emotional reaction whenever I think about it. Although I will recommend it several times this year, I should mention a trigger warning for loss and grief.
Wow. I read the synopsis for this book when it first came out, but since I’ve been avoiding the buzz until I had a chance to read it myself, I had forgotten what it was about. I went into it cold this morning and went on an emotional roller coaster of a read with ALL the feels as I inhaled it. It’s one of those books that you can’t say a whole lot about without giving spoilers, but words like “profound,” “insightful,” and “unputdownable” immediately come to mind. What I most enjoyed was the story took me to places I wasn’t expecting, and I could tell the author was writing from a place of personal experience because it felt raw and honest. I’m amazed at how much was said in just under 200 pages.
This story will elicit an emotional reaction whenever I think about it. Although I will recommend it several times this year, I should mention a trigger warning for loss and grief.
December 23, 2023
4.5 stars
I have a lot of things floating through my head as I think about this book, but this book ends up being about so much. When looking at the complete picture that is not just about the story, but about the art and craft of storytelling, this book is brilliant and it goes to show that you can be any age and be able to enjoy what it has to offer. This is as far as I am going to go when it comes to examining this aspect, but instead, I am going to examine the magic that a special place, special people, and special details have to offer.
Rebecca "Bex" Wheeler is our first-person narrator. She is telling the story about the adventures that she is having with her younger brother, Davey, as they take their rowboat, "True Blue," to what they refer to as "The Thumb" on Pelican Island. I cannot help but think about the Pelican Island going toward Seaside Heights, as I am a New Jersey resident that lives within that area. Anyway, they find this "thumb" as their getaway along with their cat, Squish, as they examine the world around them and just enjoy the beauty that it has to offer. Davey offers his wisdom as he picks through his jar of yellow M&M's and they are clearly ALL yellow. They enjoy visiting their otter friends, which they named Fritz and Opal, and the crabs that inhabit the island.
This summer is a bit different, though, as there is a drought and it is having an impact on the water level. As the level is going down, they discover that there is a statue revealing itself. Bex and Davey look to explore the mystery as to why the statue made its way into the water and where it may have originated. This is all on top of a project that the town is engaged in where they plan to build a bridge that connects to this island and makes it an even bigger tourist attraction. Bex and Davey do what they can to save the island. The question is: do their efforts succeed?
The cast of characters in this book also include Bex and Davey's parents: her mother is a biology teacher that does research when she is not teaching and her father a ferryboat operator, Bex's ex-friend, Millie, of whom she fell out of touch with after an incident that took place the summer before, and Mrs. Ochoa, Millie's grandmother and a kind resident that owns a grocery shop in town.
When Sea Becomes Sky is amazing and should be commended for its amazing storytelling, its fleshing out of characters, its ability to develop an enriching, but believable atmosphere, but also its ability to really take the concept of creating a piece and turning it on its head, because the direction that this story takes sticks out more than anything and it is going to be one that any reader will remember indefinitely. This book is very heavy in its subject matter and younger readers should be prepared, but I think that younger readers should be dipping into a piece of this nature.
Bex is by all means a perfectly flawed individual, but she is likable for how real and authentic she seems. Her brother, Davey, is very much wise for his age and I admire his compassion and how much of a rock he is for Bex. He does kind of remind me of Charles Wallace from A Wrinkle in Time.
I would not say that this book is perfect, because there are a lot of holes to fill and not everyone feels like it is filled, but there is as much that is filled as possible. There is a tall task that comes with this book and it is just about accomplished.
I would like to see this book succeed in the years to come. It should be hailed for what it accomplishes.
I have a lot of things floating through my head as I think about this book, but this book ends up being about so much. When looking at the complete picture that is not just about the story, but about the art and craft of storytelling, this book is brilliant and it goes to show that you can be any age and be able to enjoy what it has to offer. This is as far as I am going to go when it comes to examining this aspect, but instead, I am going to examine the magic that a special place, special people, and special details have to offer.
Rebecca "Bex" Wheeler is our first-person narrator. She is telling the story about the adventures that she is having with her younger brother, Davey, as they take their rowboat, "True Blue," to what they refer to as "The Thumb" on Pelican Island. I cannot help but think about the Pelican Island going toward Seaside Heights, as I am a New Jersey resident that lives within that area. Anyway, they find this "thumb" as their getaway along with their cat, Squish, as they examine the world around them and just enjoy the beauty that it has to offer. Davey offers his wisdom as he picks through his jar of yellow M&M's and they are clearly ALL yellow. They enjoy visiting their otter friends, which they named Fritz and Opal, and the crabs that inhabit the island.
This summer is a bit different, though, as there is a drought and it is having an impact on the water level. As the level is going down, they discover that there is a statue revealing itself. Bex and Davey look to explore the mystery as to why the statue made its way into the water and where it may have originated. This is all on top of a project that the town is engaged in where they plan to build a bridge that connects to this island and makes it an even bigger tourist attraction. Bex and Davey do what they can to save the island. The question is: do their efforts succeed?
The cast of characters in this book also include Bex and Davey's parents: her mother is a biology teacher that does research when she is not teaching and her father a ferryboat operator, Bex's ex-friend, Millie, of whom she fell out of touch with after an incident that took place the summer before, and Mrs. Ochoa, Millie's grandmother and a kind resident that owns a grocery shop in town.
When Sea Becomes Sky is amazing and should be commended for its amazing storytelling, its fleshing out of characters, its ability to develop an enriching, but believable atmosphere, but also its ability to really take the concept of creating a piece and turning it on its head, because the direction that this story takes sticks out more than anything and it is going to be one that any reader will remember indefinitely. This book is very heavy in its subject matter and younger readers should be prepared, but I think that younger readers should be dipping into a piece of this nature.
Bex is by all means a perfectly flawed individual, but she is likable for how real and authentic she seems. Her brother, Davey, is very much wise for his age and I admire his compassion and how much of a rock he is for Bex. He does kind of remind me of Charles Wallace from A Wrinkle in Time.
I would not say that this book is perfect, because there are a lot of holes to fill and not everyone feels like it is filled, but there is as much that is filled as possible. There is a tall task that comes with this book and it is just about accomplished.
I would like to see this book succeed in the years to come. It should be hailed for what it accomplishes.
August 26, 2023
June 2023 read: This book broke me. Grief in all its heartbreaking honesty.
The author is one of my all time favourites now. I am so ready to read everything she writes!
The author is one of my all time favourites now. I am so ready to read everything she writes!
January 21, 2023
The writing in this book was lovely and I see the appeal clearly. I just figured out the big mystery from the third chapter (because I’ve read a MG book with the same premise) so that really took the wind out of the sails for me. Very moving story with a solid takeaway.
January 7, 2023
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Bex and her brother Davey live on Pelican Island with their father, who is a ferry boat driver, and their mother, a high school biology teacher who came to the island to do research and still does some in the summer. Lately, the mother has been very tired, and takes naps unexpectedly. Davey is selectively mute and will only talk to Bex, but the two are given free reign of the island to explore during the summer. Their favorite place to be is the wetlands of The Thumb, but things are not great there since there hasn't been rain on the island for nearly a year. Because of the low water level, they find a metal statue and try to investigate what it is and how it got there. After finding out that there is going to be a bridge built to the mainland, Bex hopes that the statue might halt the construction and save an area dear to her heart. She also worries that her father might be out of work because of the construction, and when she talks to him, he mentions that the family might move to the mainland so that her mother can go back to working for a university. For some reason, even though Bex had hoped to write for the local newspaper, she hasn't read the paper for a long time, and has missed the news of the bridge. She's also not talked to her former friend, Millie, who visits her grandmother every summer, Mrs. Ochoa, who runs a local market. In order to find out more about the statue, she writes to the Port Rogers art museum. They answer, and tell her that they are having an exhibition of local artist Effie Framingham's work, and that the artist used a similar mark to the one they've found on the statue. They concoct an elaborate plan to get to the mainland to see the exhibit, and some BIG secrets are revealed. Will it be enough to save Bex's world, or will she have to come to terms with some big issues and learn to move along.
Strengths: Wow. That was a big twist that I absolutely did not see coming. I mean, POW!, it hit me upside the head. That's pretty rare in a book. I saw some clues, but interpretted them as leading somewhere else. For a book that deals with a number of sad issues, this is surprisingly upbeat, and the mystery of the artwork, as well as the environmental themes, are quite interesting.
Weaknesses: The environmental aspect of this, and the issues facing Pelican Island because of the building, were the most interesting part of this for me, and when the big twist happened, the focus of the story took another direction.
What I really think: I like to see books with environmental themes, like Dilloway's Where the Sky Lives, Hurwitz's Hello from Renn Lake, Johnson's Rescue at Wild Lake, Guillory's Nowhere Better Than Here, Rodriguez, S.A. Treasure Tracks, Marcks' Shark Summer, and this author's The Queen Bee and Me. Ultimately, however, this ended up being a book more about grief than anything else. I would keep a close eye on this for being a Newbery contender in 2023.
Bex and her brother Davey live on Pelican Island with their father, who is a ferry boat driver, and their mother, a high school biology teacher who came to the island to do research and still does some in the summer. Lately, the mother has been very tired, and takes naps unexpectedly. Davey is selectively mute and will only talk to Bex, but the two are given free reign of the island to explore during the summer. Their favorite place to be is the wetlands of The Thumb, but things are not great there since there hasn't been rain on the island for nearly a year. Because of the low water level, they find a metal statue and try to investigate what it is and how it got there. After finding out that there is going to be a bridge built to the mainland, Bex hopes that the statue might halt the construction and save an area dear to her heart. She also worries that her father might be out of work because of the construction, and when she talks to him, he mentions that the family might move to the mainland so that her mother can go back to working for a university. For some reason, even though Bex had hoped to write for the local newspaper, she hasn't read the paper for a long time, and has missed the news of the bridge. She's also not talked to her former friend, Millie, who visits her grandmother every summer, Mrs. Ochoa, who runs a local market. In order to find out more about the statue, she writes to the Port Rogers art museum. They answer, and tell her that they are having an exhibition of local artist Effie Framingham's work, and that the artist used a similar mark to the one they've found on the statue. They concoct an elaborate plan to get to the mainland to see the exhibit, and some BIG secrets are revealed. Will it be enough to save Bex's world, or will she have to come to terms with some big issues and learn to move along.
Strengths: Wow. That was a big twist that I absolutely did not see coming. I mean, POW!, it hit me upside the head. That's pretty rare in a book. I saw some clues, but interpretted them as leading somewhere else. For a book that deals with a number of sad issues, this is surprisingly upbeat, and the mystery of the artwork, as well as the environmental themes, are quite interesting.
Weaknesses: The environmental aspect of this, and the issues facing Pelican Island because of the building, were the most interesting part of this for me, and when the big twist happened, the focus of the story took another direction.
What I really think: I like to see books with environmental themes, like Dilloway's Where the Sky Lives, Hurwitz's Hello from Renn Lake, Johnson's Rescue at Wild Lake, Guillory's Nowhere Better Than Here, Rodriguez, S.A. Treasure Tracks, Marcks' Shark Summer, and this author's The Queen Bee and Me. Ultimately, however, this ended up being a book more about grief than anything else. I would keep a close eye on this for being a Newbery contender in 2023.
July 8, 2023
Maybe on another day, I would give this an extra star, but I'm weary of middle-grade books were kids don't sound like kids, but rather what the author wishes us to know about her thoughts and feelings.
August 24, 2024
3.5 stars
A very moving, heart-warming story.
Bex and her younger brother Dave loved everything about living near a salt marsh. To them, it was almost like another member of the family, with its special smells, sounds, and wonderful things from nature. But now, developers are scheming to build a bridge and destroy this natural piece of landscape in the process. Bex is determined not to stand back and let a beloved piece of her childhood be destroyed. She’s had feelings of guilt as a result of a tragedy that occurred almost a year ago; she’s not about to lose something else she loves, and then feel responsible…
A very moving, heart-warming story.
Bex and her younger brother Dave loved everything about living near a salt marsh. To them, it was almost like another member of the family, with its special smells, sounds, and wonderful things from nature. But now, developers are scheming to build a bridge and destroy this natural piece of landscape in the process. Bex is determined not to stand back and let a beloved piece of her childhood be destroyed. She’s had feelings of guilt as a result of a tragedy that occurred almost a year ago; she’s not about to lose something else she loves, and then feel responsible…
February 26, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
4.5/5 STARS (rounded up)
This is a contemporary middle grade book.
Set in a coastal town, siblings discover a statue in a remote part of the marsh. They work to uncover the mystery of the statue and find something deeper than just art.
This was the perfect middle grade book! It was heartfelt and well done. It talked about grief, loss, and moving on in a mature but also age appropriate way for a middle grade reader to relate to. You could sense that the author wrote from a place of personal experience. Without spoiling it, there is a twist towards the end that takes this book to the next level.
I would read more from this author!
Thank you Bloomsbury Children’s Books for the ARC! 🦀🐚
4.5/5 STARS (rounded up)
This is a contemporary middle grade book.
Set in a coastal town, siblings discover a statue in a remote part of the marsh. They work to uncover the mystery of the statue and find something deeper than just art.
This was the perfect middle grade book! It was heartfelt and well done. It talked about grief, loss, and moving on in a mature but also age appropriate way for a middle grade reader to relate to. You could sense that the author wrote from a place of personal experience. Without spoiling it, there is a twist towards the end that takes this book to the next level.
I would read more from this author!
Thank you Bloomsbury Children’s Books for the ARC! 🦀🐚
October 18, 2022
Gillian McDunn has done it again. I’ve loved all of her novels but this one really got me. Her sense of place is always stunning, but this story really brought me into the marsh and allowed me to spend part of this special and important summer with Bex and Davey. The moment when I realized what this book was *really* about, I had to set it down for a while to stop and think (but still gulped down the whole story in less than 24 hours). Such a heartwarming, touching, fun story that is so approachable for younger middle grade readers and beyond.
June 5, 2023
This was a really good middle-grade novel about what home means and how to deal with a devastating loss. The plot twist was amazing. Without spoiling anything I’ll say that it made me rethink my critiques about the characterization that I had in the beginning of the book. I think this book does a good job dealing with one large and important issue, instead of cramming a bunch in like other middle-grade books I’ve read. I highly recommend!
December 1, 2022
Thank you to Bloomsbury publishing for giving me an ARC of this book.
I read this book to my kids and let me just say this book had my whole heart. This is a story about love between siblings and the adventures they have together. I have never read a book by this author before but will be picking up more from her. Please pick this book up when it come out on Feb 2023! You won’t be sorry!
I read this book to my kids and let me just say this book had my whole heart. This is a story about love between siblings and the adventures they have together. I have never read a book by this author before but will be picking up more from her. Please pick this book up when it come out on Feb 2023! You won’t be sorry!
March 1, 2023
All of Gillian’s books are wonderful, but this one is especially profound. I’ll be thinking about it for a long time.
November 29, 2023
This book was highly recommended to me by a person I have never met personally, but in a group on a social media site. So, I requested the book from my local library who didn't have a copy and they put in a request to borrow it from a different library. It took forever to get it in. I didn't know I was basically waiting on a book suitable for 4th and 5th graders. Guess I should have looked into it a little more than I did. Anyway, the story itself was nice, but it was obviously written on a child's level and so, it was too simplistic for me. It seems unfair for me to critique this book from an adult standpoint so, I will just say this book would be a decent read for a child between 9 and 12 years of age, especially if they have experienced a loss of a loved one and want to read about another child who has experienced the same sort of event. To sum things up, I will say reading this book wasn't a total waste of time, just not my typical read in general.
June 20, 2024
I may have a new YR favorite book! Beautiful done with a cheeky main character and sweet sidekick in her younger brother. Plus a little bit of mystery and a pair of otters!
Some of the story was familiar, set in the marshlands and rumors of a bridge *coughmidCurrituckbridgecough* that gave it familiarity, though some felt more SC than NC (just saying) but while living in Raleigh, the author is originally from the other coast.
Yes, dear reader, I cried. A well executed twist that will have young readers thinking but also appreciating the way the family (and community) handle loss. Top marks and an excellent choice for the 8-12 crowd.
Some of the story was familiar, set in the marshlands and rumors of a bridge *coughmidCurrituckbridgecough* that gave it familiarity, though some felt more SC than NC (just saying) but while living in Raleigh, the author is originally from the other coast.
Yes, dear reader, I cried. A well executed twist that will have young readers thinking but also appreciating the way the family (and community) handle loss. Top marks and an excellent choice for the 8-12 crowd.
June 29, 2023
What an incredible middle grade novel! I read this in one sitting, and it touched me in such a profound way. A beautiful story of sibling love with mystery, grief, friendship, and nature added. This book shook me, and I will be thinking about it for some time to come.
July 8, 2024
This book was a masterpiece. In just over two-hundred pages, McDunn painted a beautiful story of the bond between two siblings and the impact one place can have on you.
I picked up this book because it sounded a lot like a book I’m writing. It was in several respects! However, I was not expecting what happened towards the end, and how deeply it would impact me. One word that describes this book is profound. I can’t elaborate too much without giving something away, but the grace with which McDunn addressed such a delicate topic was beautiful. And she managed to address it in a way that kids can understand. This book will leave a lasting impact on my life, and I feel privileged to have read it. Even though (maybe especially since) it made me cry. Real tears.
I picked up this book because it sounded a lot like a book I’m writing. It was in several respects! However, I was not expecting what happened towards the end, and how deeply it would impact me. One word that describes this book is profound. I can’t elaborate too much without giving something away, but the grace with which McDunn addressed such a delicate topic was beautiful. And she managed to address it in a way that kids can understand. This book will leave a lasting impact on my life, and I feel privileged to have read it. Even though (maybe especially since) it made me cry. Real tears.
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June 30, 2023Readers will practically smell the salty island air in this novel about a special summer that considers big questions and appreciates quiet moments.
#MiddleGrade #ChildrensBook #Fiction #Nature
#MiddleGrade #ChildrensBook #Fiction #Nature
July 7, 2023
One of the best middle-grade books I’ve read in a long time. I’m near speechless.
January 8, 2024
Wow! I did not see that plot twist coming! The clues were all there, but they were suitably subtle. What started as a sweet story about brother and sister finding and solving a mystery turned upside down and inside out.
August 28, 2023
If you ride in a rowboat, you can see what's ahead of you. But if you're the one rowing, you only see where you've been.
A sibling story that reminds me of The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs Basil E Frankweiler, if it were set outdoors and in the mud and saltwater of the marshes.
A sibling story that reminds me of The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs Basil E Frankweiler, if it were set outdoors and in the mud and saltwater of the marshes.
January 2, 2023
I just sat down and read this book in one sitting and I am stunned as always by Gillian's storytelling. I chose this book as my first read of 2023 on purpose - I knew that I would love this story since I'd loved her other books, but went in without knowing anything other than the blurb on the back and the short author's note at the beginning of the ARC I read. (Thank you to the author and publisher for sending an ARC for review!) I think this was the best way to go into it, no spoilers, no hints.
I'm not going to summarize the plot, you can find that easily enough. This is a story of two siblings on a summer mystery-adventure, enjoying the beauty of nature, and holding onto the place they have shared their favorite moments together. It is also about the paradox of letting go and holding on, looking back and looking forward.
I love Bex and Davey, and their story, so very much, and Gillian writes settings that are so full of charm, warmth, and comfort, they are like the warm hug needed when we have to face hard truths. I'm thankful that she wrote this beautiful, heartwrenching book. It was worth every tear.
I'm not going to summarize the plot, you can find that easily enough. This is a story of two siblings on a summer mystery-adventure, enjoying the beauty of nature, and holding onto the place they have shared their favorite moments together. It is also about the paradox of letting go and holding on, looking back and looking forward.
I love Bex and Davey, and their story, so very much, and Gillian writes settings that are so full of charm, warmth, and comfort, they are like the warm hug needed when we have to face hard truths. I'm thankful that she wrote this beautiful, heartwrenching book. It was worth every tear.
February 6, 2023
Thank you to the author and publisher for sharing an early copy with #bookexpedition.
Part mystery, part heartbreak, and part hope, this middle grade novel about siblings Bex and Davey is my first heartprint read in 2023.
Preorder now. Publishing 2/28/23.
After reading, don’t miss the author’s note. ❤️🩹
Beautiful lines:
P9: As far as telling the truth goes, this is a big one: in life, we all need someone to remind us of who we really are.
P12: “ I like books that make me feel things,” Davey said finally. “I think that’s the entire point of a book.“
P16: That’s why writing is so great. If you don’t like something, you can take it back, squeeze it and shape it like modeling clay until it’s something that makes sense. You can back up and start again until you’re happy.
P94: But sometimes siblings have their own secret language. When you truly know someone, words are optional.
P156: But that’s not what art is supposed to be. It’s to be felt, to be seen, to be smelled. It’s not a thing you can own and copy and print…
P169: Art isn’t necessarily drawing. It’s about making something that wasn’t there before.
P175: Sometimes the heart sees what it wants, but sometimes it misses what’s been there the entire time.
P208: Sometimes it’s the things you can’t see that make the biggest difference…Telling the truth, thoroughly, constantly, and recklessly isn’t easy – but it is important.
Part mystery, part heartbreak, and part hope, this middle grade novel about siblings Bex and Davey is my first heartprint read in 2023.
Preorder now. Publishing 2/28/23.
After reading, don’t miss the author’s note. ❤️🩹
Beautiful lines:
P9: As far as telling the truth goes, this is a big one: in life, we all need someone to remind us of who we really are.
P12: “ I like books that make me feel things,” Davey said finally. “I think that’s the entire point of a book.“
P16: That’s why writing is so great. If you don’t like something, you can take it back, squeeze it and shape it like modeling clay until it’s something that makes sense. You can back up and start again until you’re happy.
P94: But sometimes siblings have their own secret language. When you truly know someone, words are optional.
P156: But that’s not what art is supposed to be. It’s to be felt, to be seen, to be smelled. It’s not a thing you can own and copy and print…
P169: Art isn’t necessarily drawing. It’s about making something that wasn’t there before.
P175: Sometimes the heart sees what it wants, but sometimes it misses what’s been there the entire time.
P208: Sometimes it’s the things you can’t see that make the biggest difference…Telling the truth, thoroughly, constantly, and recklessly isn’t easy – but it is important.
February 28, 2023
Gillian McDunn’s newest release When Sea Becomes Sky is a masterpiece. If I may be so bold, it feels like her soulmate book.
That might sound like a weird thing to say. It probably is– I don’t know this author! How can I make such a claim? And…What’s a soul mate book, anyway?
Let’s say you pick up a book by an author you’re familiar with. Of course, it is its own story, it has its own unique ways. But there’s more to it than that. You can feel that its this author’s soulmate book. The one they were meant to write. The one that has the biggest piece of their heart. That one. The ONE.
That’s the feeling When Sea Becomes Sky gave me.
This is the kind of book that stays with you. It isn’t just one aspect that gives it staying power. It’s the way McDunn combines craft elements to create an un-put-down-able book. The lyrical writing and the gorgeous setting and the unforgettable characters and the way they look at the world and the way you feel, when you close that cover for the first time. It’s in the way you immediately want to go back to the beginning, start again. It’s that kind of soulmate book.
Siblings Bex and Davey are spending their summer of exploring the coastal North Carolina saltmarsh they call home. But this year is different. A drought is lowering water levels, revealing a mysterious statue. A bridge and the new development it promises to bring threatens their special hangout place. With a mystery and a mission, the siblings set off on a new adventure. But this summer is different, and it’s more than just the drought.
McDunn masterfully evokes coastal Carolina saltmarshes and sibling bonds, tying them together. The setting is a character unto itself, and a part of the characters’ identities. Bex and Davey belong to the saltmarsh. It is part of their home. Bex, for one, doesn’t want that to change. And a new bridge would bring a lot of change.
The sibling bond between Bex and Davey is part of the backbone of this story. Davey encourages Bex to bring others into their adventure with the mystery and trying to stop the bridge development, but Bex wants to keep it just between the two of them.
McDunn does adult character so well, depicting them from the child narrator’s perspective. This stays true in When Sea becomes Sky as well. From Bex and Davey’s parents to their neighbor to other adults in their community, each adult is shown from narrator Bex’s perspective.
All of the characters are well developed, regardless of how much time they spend on the page. From Bex’s rowboat, True Blue, to Davey’s yellow M&Ms to their biology researcher Mom and ferry operator Dad, each character is intricately developed and jumps off the page. From the main characters to Squish the cat, each and every character is thoroughly developed and believable.
There is so much to love in this middle grade book. Art, a mystery, sibling bonds, climate issues, changing family dynamics, changing friendship relationships, changing landscapes. The gorgeous, lyrical way McDunn paints this story is just as satisfying as the story itself. Speaking of painting, there are gorgeous illustrations with the chapter headings and sprinkled in the section breaks.
This book is going to help so many children. The topic of grief is handled gently, kindly, and essentially. There are so many grieving children in our world today. This book is going to be revolutionary for them. It’s going to help them feel seen, validated, and most importantly help them through the hardest losses of their lives.
Ultimately, this book shows such care and shares so much heart. Although it’s only February, I can already tell this is going to be one of my favorite reads of 2023.
Thank you to the Bloomsbury Books US for an advanced copy such that I could share my honest opinions in this review.
That might sound like a weird thing to say. It probably is– I don’t know this author! How can I make such a claim? And…What’s a soul mate book, anyway?
Let’s say you pick up a book by an author you’re familiar with. Of course, it is its own story, it has its own unique ways. But there’s more to it than that. You can feel that its this author’s soulmate book. The one they were meant to write. The one that has the biggest piece of their heart. That one. The ONE.
That’s the feeling When Sea Becomes Sky gave me.
This is the kind of book that stays with you. It isn’t just one aspect that gives it staying power. It’s the way McDunn combines craft elements to create an un-put-down-able book. The lyrical writing and the gorgeous setting and the unforgettable characters and the way they look at the world and the way you feel, when you close that cover for the first time. It’s in the way you immediately want to go back to the beginning, start again. It’s that kind of soulmate book.
Siblings Bex and Davey are spending their summer of exploring the coastal North Carolina saltmarsh they call home. But this year is different. A drought is lowering water levels, revealing a mysterious statue. A bridge and the new development it promises to bring threatens their special hangout place. With a mystery and a mission, the siblings set off on a new adventure. But this summer is different, and it’s more than just the drought.
McDunn masterfully evokes coastal Carolina saltmarshes and sibling bonds, tying them together. The setting is a character unto itself, and a part of the characters’ identities. Bex and Davey belong to the saltmarsh. It is part of their home. Bex, for one, doesn’t want that to change. And a new bridge would bring a lot of change.
The sibling bond between Bex and Davey is part of the backbone of this story. Davey encourages Bex to bring others into their adventure with the mystery and trying to stop the bridge development, but Bex wants to keep it just between the two of them.
McDunn does adult character so well, depicting them from the child narrator’s perspective. This stays true in When Sea becomes Sky as well. From Bex and Davey’s parents to their neighbor to other adults in their community, each adult is shown from narrator Bex’s perspective.
All of the characters are well developed, regardless of how much time they spend on the page. From Bex’s rowboat, True Blue, to Davey’s yellow M&Ms to their biology researcher Mom and ferry operator Dad, each character is intricately developed and jumps off the page. From the main characters to Squish the cat, each and every character is thoroughly developed and believable.
There is so much to love in this middle grade book. Art, a mystery, sibling bonds, climate issues, changing family dynamics, changing friendship relationships, changing landscapes. The gorgeous, lyrical way McDunn paints this story is just as satisfying as the story itself. Speaking of painting, there are gorgeous illustrations with the chapter headings and sprinkled in the section breaks.
This book is going to help so many children. The topic of grief is handled gently, kindly, and essentially. There are so many grieving children in our world today. This book is going to be revolutionary for them. It’s going to help them feel seen, validated, and most importantly help them through the hardest losses of their lives.
Ultimately, this book shows such care and shares so much heart. Although it’s only February, I can already tell this is going to be one of my favorite reads of 2023.
Thank you to the Bloomsbury Books US for an advanced copy such that I could share my honest opinions in this review.
June 29, 2023
After an aggressive amount of reading in preparation for our first Battle of the Books at the end of the 2022-23 school year, I lost my reading mojo for a hot minute and hadn't reviewed anything on Goodreads for over 2 months (gasp! What?!) This book, When Sea Becomes Sky, absolutely begs for an immediate review and reaction though. I didn't want to wait a single moment after finishing it to post my review! This book is gorgeous and heartfelt and made me feel all the feelings. I LOVED it. I haven't loved a middle grade reader like I loved this one in a very long time. My husband walked in the room moments after the gut punch McDunn had delivered and found me weeping on the sofa, trying to explain what this book had done to me. I can't even say anything more without potentially ruining the reading experience for others so I'll just tell you a few of the things I loved most about this book.
- the characters - oh my! Davey and Bex are just such a wonderful pair of siblings with a wonderful story to share
- the Carolina marsh setting - beautiful, unique, comforting, exciting
- the WRITING! Descriptive, careful, clever, warm. I highlighted so many lovely little written gems in this book! Here are a few that made me smile.
"Davey smiled in that very specific way he had, where the left side of his mouth lifted up first and then the right side curled, like it was afraid to be left behind."
"Even simple foods taste better when they're prepared by someone else."
"Clouds hovered overhead but refused to share even a drop of rain. If I could have reached them, I would have squeezed them like sponges."
"I popped the candy in my mouth and let the candy shell melt. Usually I adored the taste, but that day it was too sticky-sweet. I swallowed hard. It was a bad day indeed when chocolate didn't taste good."
"I smiled to myself and chewed my sandwich. It was sweet and salty, crunchy and smooth, with a trace of bitterness. It had everything at once."
I especially loved all of Bex's reflections on writing, too. The author had me absolutely hooked in chapter two as Bex and Davey discussed writers and writing, and I knew at that moment that McDunn was going to deliver a well-crafted story. Boy, was I right!
This is a beautiful story of family, friendship, adventure, love, grief and healing. I highly, confidently recommend this book!
- the characters - oh my! Davey and Bex are just such a wonderful pair of siblings with a wonderful story to share
- the Carolina marsh setting - beautiful, unique, comforting, exciting
- the WRITING! Descriptive, careful, clever, warm. I highlighted so many lovely little written gems in this book! Here are a few that made me smile.
"Davey smiled in that very specific way he had, where the left side of his mouth lifted up first and then the right side curled, like it was afraid to be left behind."
"Even simple foods taste better when they're prepared by someone else."
"Clouds hovered overhead but refused to share even a drop of rain. If I could have reached them, I would have squeezed them like sponges."
"I popped the candy in my mouth and let the candy shell melt. Usually I adored the taste, but that day it was too sticky-sweet. I swallowed hard. It was a bad day indeed when chocolate didn't taste good."
"I smiled to myself and chewed my sandwich. It was sweet and salty, crunchy and smooth, with a trace of bitterness. It had everything at once."
I especially loved all of Bex's reflections on writing, too. The author had me absolutely hooked in chapter two as Bex and Davey discussed writers and writing, and I knew at that moment that McDunn was going to deliver a well-crafted story. Boy, was I right!
This is a beautiful story of family, friendship, adventure, love, grief and healing. I highly, confidently recommend this book!
January 18, 2023
Thank you to author Gillian McDunn and the publisher Bloomsbury Children's Books for the opportunity to read a physical ARC.
It is no secret that I am a Gillian McDunn fan, but I am at a loss in many ways to tell you about When Sea Becomes Sky. Why? I do not want you to miss the experience of reading it. The less you know about the book, the better. That said, Ms. McDunn's books ALWAYS have characters that find their way into your heart and soul, and this is her best yet, but it is because these characters are a part of her heart and soul, explained in the author's note at the end.
It starts right from the first page and the beautiful way Ms. McDunn uses words to put you smack dab into the book, becoming a quiet observer in the saltwater marsh and becoming familiar with the secret refuge, known as The Thumb. A mystery emerges when Bex (who then shares with her younger brother Davey who does not speak unless at The Thumb) -a metal hand sticking out of the marsh. The two decide to figure out its story and to do it without adult assistance.
And from this point forward, we get to know Bex and Davey deeply as they work together. Similar to Ms. Dunn's previous books, the secondary characters strongly support and gently provide the momentum and necessary background, establishing bonds with everyone connected to Bex and Davey.
When Sea Becomes Sky will resonate with readers of all ages, and spending time with Bex ad Davey will “stretch hearts in many ways,” - leaving them hopeful and better humans. Beautifully written, When Sea Becomes Sky, is one of those rare books that will remain in our hearts and be labelled a classic.
Keywords: mystery, family, environment
Similar Titles:
It is no secret that I am a Gillian McDunn fan, but I am at a loss in many ways to tell you about When Sea Becomes Sky. Why? I do not want you to miss the experience of reading it. The less you know about the book, the better. That said, Ms. McDunn's books ALWAYS have characters that find their way into your heart and soul, and this is her best yet, but it is because these characters are a part of her heart and soul, explained in the author's note at the end.
It starts right from the first page and the beautiful way Ms. McDunn uses words to put you smack dab into the book, becoming a quiet observer in the saltwater marsh and becoming familiar with the secret refuge, known as The Thumb. A mystery emerges when Bex (who then shares with her younger brother Davey who does not speak unless at The Thumb) -a metal hand sticking out of the marsh. The two decide to figure out its story and to do it without adult assistance.
And from this point forward, we get to know Bex and Davey deeply as they work together. Similar to Ms. Dunn's previous books, the secondary characters strongly support and gently provide the momentum and necessary background, establishing bonds with everyone connected to Bex and Davey.
When Sea Becomes Sky will resonate with readers of all ages, and spending time with Bex ad Davey will “stretch hearts in many ways,” - leaving them hopeful and better humans. Beautifully written, When Sea Becomes Sky, is one of those rare books that will remain in our hearts and be labelled a classic.
Keywords: mystery, family, environment
Similar Titles:
December 4, 2022
When Sea Becomes Sky by Gillian McDunn is a beautiful book. It is narrated by Bez, an eleven-year-old girl. Bez and her family live on Pelican Island in the Carolina salt marshes. This summer is different than most because it has not rained for nearly a year. The drought doesn’t spoil summer for Bez and her nine-year-old brother Davey. They spend all their days at the Thumb, where the island curves toward the mainland. Their special place is quiet and serene; there are no other people there. There is a large oak tree where they each have a special branch to laze on, Davey reading and Bez trying to get over her writer’s block. The marsh is full of life: terrapins, fiddler crabs, mussels, and a playful pair of otters, which they have named Fritz and Opal, after cartoon characters. “Life was softer there, the edges gently blurred.”
Bez and Davey discover an underwater statue as the drought lowers the water level day by day. This begins an adventure of attempting to find out who made the statue and why it is under the water of the marsh. They are more determined in this hunt when development threatens both the statue and their special place. The book is about so much more than this, however. It is about the love between these siblings and dealing with life’s vagaries, and ultimately about dealing with hurt and loss. Ms. McDunn’s prose is simple and moves along smoothly. She is a master at showing the reader the surroundings and the inner lives of her characters. I felt the beauty and tranquility of Pelican island. Bez and Davey became genuine and I cared about them. This is a wonderful book.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Children’s Books for the ARC of this book.
Bez and Davey discover an underwater statue as the drought lowers the water level day by day. This begins an adventure of attempting to find out who made the statue and why it is under the water of the marsh. They are more determined in this hunt when development threatens both the statue and their special place. The book is about so much more than this, however. It is about the love between these siblings and dealing with life’s vagaries, and ultimately about dealing with hurt and loss. Ms. McDunn’s prose is simple and moves along smoothly. She is a master at showing the reader the surroundings and the inner lives of her characters. I felt the beauty and tranquility of Pelican island. Bez and Davey became genuine and I cared about them. This is a wonderful book.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Children’s Books for the ARC of this book.
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