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4.45 AVERAGE
4.45 AVERAGE
YMA 2025 Stonewall honor book for children’s literature
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
3 1/2 stars, rounded up. I saw so, so much of myself in this book, and not just because of its Jersey Shore setting (in fact, this is a NORTH Jersey tale, but despite being a southerner, I will not hold that against it). The barrier island, the beach, the boardwalk, the Kohr Bros. ice cream, and a kid who feels out of place in their family but loves the ocean—all of that was so familiar to me. But beyond just being a fun romp through things that feel relatable, it was such a heartening story of growing up, finding your people, and what family really means. I loved that Murray's affinity for the ocean manifested as actual magic, and the suggestion that lots of other people might have magic, too. I also thought some of the heavier topics were handled sensitively and well in a way that is appropriate for the book's target audience. In particular, there's a scene where Murray's mother—who's painted as not just intolerant, but also as someone who probably watches a whole lot of Fox News, if you get my drift—throws the term "groomer" at the uncle of one of Murray's friends, just because he is queer adult in these children's lives. Murray wonders, as many real-world kids might wonder, what that word means, exactly; real-world kids will surely have heard it thrown around a lot lately, as it's become a certain demographic's favorite analog term for "people we don't like." Murray's older cousin explains it to her when she asks in a way that's completely age-appropriate but also truthful, and I was seriously impressed with not only the inclusion of that scene, but the way it was handled overall.
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
emotional
medium-paced
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
4/20/25 (first read) - This book healed a part of me that desperately needed it.
4/22/25 (second read) - The audiobook narrator is perfect and the book was just as good the second time around!
4/22/25 (second read) - The audiobook narrator is perfect and the book was just as good the second time around!
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Murray Out of Water is one of my favorite MG reads of the year, and it's one that I can't wait for my students to get their hands on. Murray is an affirming coming-of-age novel in verse that has some of my favorite themes--including found family and identity exploration--plus just a dash of magic. I recommend this book to readers who enjoyed Too Bright to See, A Song for You & I, and books by Lisa Fipps.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Adorable. Made me feel seen. I wish I had this book as a teenager.