Reviews

Beyond the Bright Sea by Lauren Wolk

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emilysledge's review

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adventurous emotional informative inspiring mysterious sad 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

4.25

Content Warnings

Washed ashore in a leaky skiff as a newborn, Crow is raised by a kind man living a solitary life on an island off the coast of Massachusetts. After turning twelve, Crow begins to wonder where she came from, and slowly unravels the mystery of her origins. Beautifully written and moving.

melissaverasreads's review

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4.0

=D This book made me so happy.

pencil_to_the_temple's review

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adventurous lighthearted mysterious 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

4.0

I still have no idea how to pronounce Penekesse

breakfastgrey's review

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3.0

This one was sweet, if a bit dull at parts. Its central mystery is resolved far too easily, but there are some nice wrinkles in the storytelling to help it from feeling too safe and formulaic.

erockwell729's review

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adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

bickie's review

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3.0

Loved the setting and descriptions of life on the Elizabeth Islands in the 1920s. I'm not sure whether this book had enough 1920s detail to make it historical fiction, however; it felt timeless. The book starts out with a lot of details that will feel unfamiliar to most readers: the main character lives on an island after having been found in a washed-up skiff by a man named Osh, who named her Crow. We learn a little bit about Osh's background, but not too much, and by the end of the story still don't know much. Same for Miss Maggie. Part of the message of the book is that it isn't all that relevant; what's important is where they are living now, and with whom. Both Osh and Miss Maggie have left undesirable circumstances to make lives for themselves that they want to live. Crow's investigations into her own past result in unintended consequences, including a lot more attention from the police (which Osh steadfastly avoids) and from a very angry, entitled, strong bad guy who poses a very real physical threat. Touches on adoption and whether non-biological families are "real" (yes!). Best for ages 10-12 [identity questions, menace and peril, somewhat challenging text]