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lauriehnatiuk's review against another edition
4.0
The Sea in Winter is my first book to read written by Christine Day, and I know I need to go back and read her debut I, Can Make This Promise. I loved her descriptive writing, especially when the main character Maisie and her family took the ferry and went on a mid-winter family getaway near the Makah community where her mother grew up. I love the trees and the Pacific Northwest, so I slowly savoured those descriptions and felt that I was there with them.
Maisie loves ballet. It is who she thinks she is and what she wants to do with her life. But, things, as we all know, do not always go as planned. Not quite a year later, Maisie is still trying to overcome a knee injury and struggling at how hard it is and how painfully slow it is.
Despite improvements, she feels like time is slipping away - her friends Eva and Hattie are connected to dance and making dance-related summer plans. Not going to auditions and not dancing is so frustrating that it spills over into how she acts around her family. Maisie knows how she treats her family is wrong, but it seems the harder she tries, the worse it gets.
Overcoming an injury and believing that your identity is only one thing will connect to many readers. And this is what shines for me - Maisie has to come to realize that she is more than ballet. And that's hard to figure out as a seventh-grader, but Maisie is lucky because she has the supports she needs - her family, friends, teachers and a therapist are there.
Christine Day reveals how those people are on the sidelines waiting to help Maisie when she is ready, and this is how the story goes beyond overcoming an injury but figuring out all the parts of your identity.
I liked the family dynamics within the family and the special relationship between Maisie and her stepfather. It was apparent how much he cared for Maisie but at the same time was not going to let her be disrespectful and allow her injury to excuse her declining marks in school. Ms. Day also skillfully weaves Maisie's biological father in answering questions readers will have about Maisie's "real dad." It is clear that they have strong family ties and are a busy family.
One of the things that I appreciated is that we saw that Maisie's parents both wanted to share the history and traditional knowledge of her Indigenous cultures. The parents' issues and values were naturally woven into their everyday life. Subtle as it is, it helps Maisie see another part of her identity. The Author's Note is also worth reading, sharing and discussing as Ms. Day explains chapter titles, the artifact findings that now reside in the Makah Cultural and Research Center and the dam removal project that blocked the Elwha River. Often these perspectives are overlooked or absent, and sharing the note can lead to further discussion and inquiry.
I was happy to see that Maisie recognized and pursued her other passions; her love of reading and writing. I hope she sees more of the resilience and the culture of her ancestors and relatives. Although she may no longer be able to be a ballerina, perhaps down the road, she may become involved in her Makah and Piscataway cultures and part of traditional dances, whether it be dancing or sewing and beading the dresses. Perhaps we will see Maisie again, and I am hoping we do.
FIRST LINE: I'm late to homeroom.
SIMILAR TITLES: No Ballet Shoes in Syria, Ancestor Approved: Intertribal Stories for Kids and The Barren Grounds
OTHER BOOKS BY THIS AUTHOR: I Can Make This Promise
RECOMMENDED: Gr. 5+
Maisie loves ballet. It is who she thinks she is and what she wants to do with her life. But, things, as we all know, do not always go as planned. Not quite a year later, Maisie is still trying to overcome a knee injury and struggling at how hard it is and how painfully slow it is.
Despite improvements, she feels like time is slipping away - her friends Eva and Hattie are connected to dance and making dance-related summer plans. Not going to auditions and not dancing is so frustrating that it spills over into how she acts around her family. Maisie knows how she treats her family is wrong, but it seems the harder she tries, the worse it gets.
Overcoming an injury and believing that your identity is only one thing will connect to many readers. And this is what shines for me - Maisie has to come to realize that she is more than ballet. And that's hard to figure out as a seventh-grader, but Maisie is lucky because she has the supports she needs - her family, friends, teachers and a therapist are there.
Christine Day reveals how those people are on the sidelines waiting to help Maisie when she is ready, and this is how the story goes beyond overcoming an injury but figuring out all the parts of your identity.
I liked the family dynamics within the family and the special relationship between Maisie and her stepfather. It was apparent how much he cared for Maisie but at the same time was not going to let her be disrespectful and allow her injury to excuse her declining marks in school. Ms. Day also skillfully weaves Maisie's biological father in answering questions readers will have about Maisie's "real dad." It is clear that they have strong family ties and are a busy family.
One of the things that I appreciated is that we saw that Maisie's parents both wanted to share the history and traditional knowledge of her Indigenous cultures. The parents' issues and values were naturally woven into their everyday life. Subtle as it is, it helps Maisie see another part of her identity. The Author's Note is also worth reading, sharing and discussing as Ms. Day explains chapter titles, the artifact findings that now reside in the Makah Cultural and Research Center and the dam removal project that blocked the Elwha River. Often these perspectives are overlooked or absent, and sharing the note can lead to further discussion and inquiry.
I was happy to see that Maisie recognized and pursued her other passions; her love of reading and writing. I hope she sees more of the resilience and the culture of her ancestors and relatives. Although she may no longer be able to be a ballerina, perhaps down the road, she may become involved in her Makah and Piscataway cultures and part of traditional dances, whether it be dancing or sewing and beading the dresses. Perhaps we will see Maisie again, and I am hoping we do.
FIRST LINE: I'm late to homeroom.
SIMILAR TITLES: No Ballet Shoes in Syria, Ancestor Approved: Intertribal Stories for Kids and The Barren Grounds
OTHER BOOKS BY THIS AUTHOR: I Can Make This Promise
RECOMMENDED: Gr. 5+
readingthroughtheages's review against another edition
4.0
This was a book that has lived in my TBR for too long. Seemed like a perfect time to pick it up, and I'm so glad I did. Maisie's struggles will resonate with many young readers. A beautiful story to pass along!
buffy87's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed the style of writing. I will try looking for the author's first book based on the prose she used in this book. Simple, yet not childish or ineffective. Lightly peppered with strong figurative language. It seemed purposeful.
This one was an interesting read. It tugs at your heartstrings in moments, and as a whole seems predictable. Even though we have a strong feeling of where the story is going, the journey makes it worth it if you are able to slow down and feel it. I can imagine many of my 8th graders getting bored while reading this book, but for the students that are pulled in - they will likely love it.
Maisie is a relatable character even though I have nothing to do with ballet. It's because there are universal themes of. Those themes are weaved throughout the novel in some obvious and not-so-obvious ways. Maisie is stuck in her head and critically can be read as a flat - but there is enough material to give you a rounded sense. Everyone in the book seems to have a strong sense of self. I believe the author about them. Either way, when I was done the book I didn't mind the experience. I read through the Author's Note and really appreciated the extra information. I will definitely be recommending this novel to my students.
PostCo Analysis: I learned a lot while reading this about different indigenous groups in America and how they are connected. Good book to use for analyzing culture and language revitalization in children's literature.
Reading Accessibility: Because there is liberal use of figurative language, I would not consider this book an easy read for any students who deeply struggle with abstract thinking. I think the prose is beautiful but could prove to be cumbersome.
* * * * * * * * * *
Read if you're interested in
- stories about struggling with depression, anxiety
- post-injury recovery stories
- resilience
- ballet
- the Pacific Northwest (USA)
Recommendations
Adults: yes
High School: yes
Junior High: yes
Elementary: yes to upper level
Overall
It was a solid story with strong emotions.
This one was an interesting read. It tugs at your heartstrings in moments, and as a whole seems predictable. Even though we have a strong feeling of where the story is going, the journey makes it worth it if you are able to slow down and feel it. I can imagine many of my 8th graders getting bored while reading this book, but for the students that are pulled in - they will likely love it.
Maisie is a relatable character even though I have nothing to do with ballet. It's because there are universal themes of
Spoiler
injury recovery, feeling lost, losing your dreams, being a teenagerPostCo Analysis: I learned a lot while reading this about different indigenous groups in America and how they are connected. Good book to use for analyzing culture and language revitalization in children's literature.
Reading Accessibility: Because there is liberal use of figurative language, I would not consider this book an easy read for any students who deeply struggle with abstract thinking. I think the prose is beautiful but could prove to be cumbersome.
* * * * * * * * * *
Read if you're interested in
- stories about struggling with depression, anxiety
- post-injury recovery stories
- resilience
- ballet
- the Pacific Northwest (USA)
Recommendations
Adults: yes
High School: yes
Junior High: yes
Elementary: yes to upper level
Overall
It was a solid story with strong emotions.
readingwithkaitlyn's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Grief
Moderate: Death and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Genocide, Mental illness, Violence, Colonisation, and War
smortimer's review against another edition
4.0
My favorite thing about this book was the writing style - the settings and the main character’s emotions felt very real and immersive. A wonderful book about processing feelings and honoring ancestors that middle grade readers and adults will both enjoy.
jacquelinebrtls's review against another edition
3.0
this was a beautiful story, but i felt like it couldve been shorter... somehow the writing style was too descriptive for my taste
ginniereads's review against another edition
4.0
Review coming soon on my YouTube channel. Subscribe so you don't miss it.
yapha's review against another edition
4.0
A torn ACL and the subsequent surgery and recovery upended not only Maisie's ballet classes, but her whole life. Ballet is everything to her -- her friends, her free-time, her life goal. Now that she can't dance, she pulls away from her friends and stops doing her school work. Fortunately her very supportive parents are there to catch her before she sinks too deep into depression. A very realistic look at anxiety and depression in middle school. Highly recommended for grades 4 & up.
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss
danyell919's review against another edition
5.0
Oh this book was fantastic! It helped that we literally just returned from the setting of this book - the upper Olympic Peninsula. I learned so much and the character development was amazing.