Reviews

Beyond the Bright Sea by Lauren Wolk

bickie's review

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]

highjynxs's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious fast-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

5.0

klemily's review

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad tense 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

4.25

Read with Elise. Good story about an islander finding where she came from with a lesson on leprosy. 

melrosebreed's review

5.0

Another fantastic novel by Wolk. I am so happy to have discovered her this year.

shirleytupperfreeman's review

Crow has lived all of her twelve years on a tiny island in Massachusetts with Osh - the man who found infant Crow floating in a basket. With the help of Miss Maggie on the neighboring island, Crow has had a wonderful childhood. The only thing she can't quite explain is why folks on the bigger island generally avoid her. Curious Crow spots a fire on an even more remote, uninhabited, island one evening and she begins to question her origins. Her story will capture kids looking for adventure and mystery while teaching a bit about leprosy and what it means to be family. The ending is quite satisfactory - Crow gets many of her questions answered but also has to learn to live with the idea that not all situations have neat resolutions. Wonderful story with great pacing - loved it. I read the ARC - due to be published in May 2017.

anajuana2's review

4.0

I read this to see if it was something my 13 year old daughter might enjoy, and I will totally be passing it along to her. I would be hesitant, or want to make sure I read it with a kid who is adopted or doesn’t know a lot about their biological parents as it seems like it could be really triggering since a lot of the plot surrounded Crows longing to know more about her beginnings.

thelibraryofklee's review against another edition

4.0

Beyond the Bright Sea by Lauren Wolk

Crow arrived on the shore in a wee skiff and was adopted by a perpetually mysterious man she calls Osh.

What follows is a child’s journey to find her roots with a good dash of adventure on the way. The dialogue is endearing. The characters are lovable. This wee tale was worth the adventure - the importance of knowing where you come from entangled with acceptance for who you have turned out to be, often thanks to the people around you.

It has an underlying historical fiction theme which added to the beauty and tragedy of this short novel - one of those books that makes me want to explore our world so much more (when this pandemic gets out of here).

The book left me with a few questions however which is why I took away a star in my rating. Don’t want to post spoilers though

zerohero's review

5.0

You want a book that’s about a nice life on a small island…

WELL TO FUCKING BAD THIS BOOK ISN’T FOR YOU!!!! I thought it would be a cutesy book about a girl on a island but noooooooo. MYSTERY! A LOT OF MYSTERY!!!! The ending was so fucking good and sweet but it made me cry and want to throw my book across the room! (I didn’t I don’t abuse books)

I love this and don’t want to spoil it for anyone but it’s so sweet I want to cry and break shit with how sweet it is!!!!!

jaij7's review

5.0

Beautiful book about who you are and who you want to be. I feel like I am great friends with Osh, Miss Maggie and Crow. Lauren Wolk described the islands and their home so well that I feel like I have been on vacation. I'm sad that I've turned the last page but it was worth it.

johnnymacaroni's review

5.0

I absolutely loved this. I love the characters and their relationships ... they just feel right and real. And the imagery is amazing...I felt like I was there with sand in my toes and salt air on my face. And the story itself is completely engaging ... a mystery with some danger but lots of heartfelt moments that just made me feel all the feels!