Reviews

The Sea in Winter by Christine Day

bibliobrandie's review against another edition

4.0

Maisie has had an injury which prevents her from participating in what she loves most, ballet. She really struggles with this and feels hopeless and like the thing she had planned to do for the rest of her life is now out of reach. I have read stories like this about a boy playing football or baseball and getting injured, so I appreciated this point of view. I think the author deals with depression in a serious way but one that is accessible to middle grade readers. I like how she made it a family affair because depression involves the whole family.

This book was published with Heartdrum, an imprint of HarperCollins Children’s Books, which focuses on presenting and lifting Native voices. I enjoyed learning a bit about the Makah Nation, the Elwha Dam, and the Duwamish Tribe. I especially loved loved the author's note. If I have one complaint it's that I wanted more of this. The author touches on this as it is part of Maisie's life as a Native American but I guess I want her to write another book that dives more into this story, especially the whale hunting and the prejudice faced by her family.

dominicangirl's review against another edition

emotional slow-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

theresa_timber's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail

shirleytupperfreeman's review against another edition

I listened to this story told by a young girl (12 or so?) who is trying to recover from a knee injury which is threatening her dreamed of future as a ballet dancer. At first I felt like there was too much description of trivial things but I realize that's partly because as a reader, I tend to skim those details and as a listener, I have to stay with them. I ended up liking the story quite a bit - Maisy is struggling with anxiety and borderline depression (those terms aren't used until close to the end) - but she has a wonderfully supportive family and eventually finds the help she needs to come to terms with the loss or alteration of her dreams. A great story for helping remove the stigma of therapy.

sherrise's review

emotional hopeful informative 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

4.0

jazzblades's review against another edition

I really liked this. This follows a young girl who is struggling with depression because of a major injury she got while doing ballet. I felt this was such an honest depiction of struggling with a mental illness and the empathy shown towards young people specifically struggling with it. I think older people tend to dismiss younger individuals, especially younger kids, who are dealing with very difficult things and I loved how this had Maisie getting support from her family and friends and is able to go to therapy to help her process everything going on and to work on steps to manage her symptoms. This was so well done and I'm glad that it exists so if other kids are facing something similar they don't feel so alone. Highly recommend.

capitalizm's review against another edition

5.0

a beautiful read that follows the life of maisie as she recovers from a life-changing injury. i saw myself in her so many times. it was bittersweet, but also a reminder that change can be good.

ki4eva's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

3.75

justicepirate's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

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

3.0

 Maisie loves ballet a lot but she has received an ACL injury, causing her to have to even sit out during gym class. She goes to physical therapy, but it seems like nothing is improving. While being unable to pursue her passion in dance, she gets to sit into her own thoughts that tend to take over her emotions, but she doesn't really share those emotions. She keeps them inside. It is interesting to me that we don't really get to grasp the fullness of Maisie.

Another side of this book is learning about the Makaw and Piscataway people. These are the tribes of each of Maisie's parents.

The story takes place throughout a February, to explain the "winter" part of this book. There is little talked about the sea, other than the whaling that one of the tribes had a tradition of doing. I am not sure what the title and the book have in common. I honestly chose to read this book because I wanted a "winter read."

I did enjoy the book. I just think it could have been much better. The way Maisie's parents act throughout this makes me really happy. She has a good set of them. Even her little brother is precious. It reminds us that even when you are going through a tough time, it is not good to push away the people who love you. 

katiegrrrl's review against another edition

5.0

I read this earlier in the year but forgot to document it. I remember that I really liked the family and how wonderfully written the MC was in her pain, both physical and emotional, over her injury and having to stop dancing to heal.

2022 YMA American Indian Youth Literature Middle Grade Honor Book