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nalian's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
rebelbelle13's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Olive's Ocean is the type of book that I wish I had access to as a child. It's quiet, contemplative, and explores grief both from a distance and up close. As the summer begins, one of Martha's classmates, Olive, is killed in a car accident. Martha didn't know Olive well, but as a twelve year old, Martha has a hard time processing her feelings about it. She imagines what Olive's life must have been like, and regrets not befriending the lonely girl before her untimely passing. When she goes to Cape Cod for her week long yearly summer retreat, she discovers what it means to develop feelings for someone, and have her trust broken. She has deep conversations with her elderly grandmother, and finds solace in the ocean waves and beach. She is starting to become her own person, apart from her family, and begins to understand what that feels and looks like. The atmosphere and emotions feel rather like Nina LaCour's We Are Okay- and I would encourage older readers who loved this novel to read that one next.
While most loose ends were tied up, I really wish there was more. I understand why this won an award, and I would absolutely recommend this to anyone who is looking for a book that breaches the hard topic of death at a young age, or likes to explore grief in a quiet, atmospheric, emotional way.
While most loose ends were tied up, I really wish there was more. I understand why this won an award, and I would absolutely recommend this to anyone who is looking for a book that breaches the hard topic of death at a young age, or likes to explore grief in a quiet, atmospheric, emotional way.
lillian_dej's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
littlehistorian's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
never thought id relate to a 12 year old girl… its the late bloomer in me
protoman21's review against another edition
4.0
A nice story about a girl. Her voice rang true and I was able to feel the emotions of raw youth.
goodem9199's review against another edition
2.0
This was one of those books that just felt "ok" to me throughout the whole thing. It never got very good, but never got very bad, either. It just was what it was, if that makes any sense! I don't think I'll remember much about this story when a bit of time has passed, but, hey...I did make it to the end!
book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
Audiobook performed by Blair Brown
From the back cover - Martha Boyle and Olive Barstow could have been friends, but they weren’t. Weeks after a tragic accident, all that is left are eerie connections between the two girls, former classmates who both kept the same secret without knowing it. Now, even while on vacation at the ocean, Martha can’t stop thinking about Olive. Things only get more complicated when Martha begins to like Jimmy Manning, a neighbor boy she used to despise. What is going on? Can life for Martha be the same ever again?
My reactions
The intended audience for this novel is the middle-school crowd, and I think 9- to 12-year-olds would respond really well to it. Henkes did a good job of showing tweens on the cusp of growing up – conflicted between loving and wanting to be with family, and wanting to explore and go out on their own. Martha does a lot of thinking and worrying over what Olive is missing, whether her dreams are really her own, whether her grandmother will die soon, whether Jimmy really likes her, whether her father and mother are happy, etc. I like that she feels comfortable confiding (somewhat) in the adults around her and listening to their advice. I particularly liked the way her relationship with her grandmother is portrayed.
However, on the whole, this novel just didn’t do much for me. It was a perfectly good book, but not great. I do think that’s my failing, not the author’s. I’m just too much past the intended audience to appreciate it.
Blair Brown does a fine job performing the audio version. I thought she really brought the characters to life.
From the back cover - Martha Boyle and Olive Barstow could have been friends, but they weren’t. Weeks after a tragic accident, all that is left are eerie connections between the two girls, former classmates who both kept the same secret without knowing it. Now, even while on vacation at the ocean, Martha can’t stop thinking about Olive. Things only get more complicated when Martha begins to like Jimmy Manning, a neighbor boy she used to despise. What is going on? Can life for Martha be the same ever again?
My reactions
The intended audience for this novel is the middle-school crowd, and I think 9- to 12-year-olds would respond really well to it. Henkes did a good job of showing tweens on the cusp of growing up – conflicted between loving and wanting to be with family, and wanting to explore and go out on their own. Martha does a lot of thinking and worrying over what Olive is missing, whether her dreams are really her own, whether her grandmother will die soon, whether Jimmy really likes her, whether her father and mother are happy, etc. I like that she feels comfortable confiding (somewhat) in the adults around her and listening to their advice. I particularly liked the way her relationship with her grandmother is portrayed.
However, on the whole, this novel just didn’t do much for me. It was a perfectly good book, but not great. I do think that’s my failing, not the author’s. I’m just too much past the intended audience to appreciate it.
Blair Brown does a fine job performing the audio version. I thought she really brought the characters to life.
kambmoore's review against another edition
1.0
i hate this book!!!!! but i had to read it for a summer reading assignment for school.....grrrr