Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
lighthearted
relaxing
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:
Yes
never thought id relate to a 12 year old girl… its the late bloomer in me
A nice story about a girl. Her voice rang true and I was able to feel the emotions of raw youth.
This was one of those books that just felt "ok" to me throughout the whole thing. It never got very good, but never got very bad, either. It just was what it was, if that makes any sense! I don't think I'll remember much about this story when a bit of time has passed, but, hey...I did make it to the end!
Audiobook performed by Blair Brown
From the back cover - Martha Boyle and Olive Barstow could have been friends, but they weren’t. Weeks after a tragic accident, all that is left are eerie connections between the two girls, former classmates who both kept the same secret without knowing it. Now, even while on vacation at the ocean, Martha can’t stop thinking about Olive. Things only get more complicated when Martha begins to like Jimmy Manning, a neighbor boy she used to despise. What is going on? Can life for Martha be the same ever again?
My reactions
The intended audience for this novel is the middle-school crowd, and I think 9- to 12-year-olds would respond really well to it. Henkes did a good job of showing tweens on the cusp of growing up – conflicted between loving and wanting to be with family, and wanting to explore and go out on their own. Martha does a lot of thinking and worrying over what Olive is missing, whether her dreams are really her own, whether her grandmother will die soon, whether Jimmy really likes her, whether her father and mother are happy, etc. I like that she feels comfortable confiding (somewhat) in the adults around her and listening to their advice. I particularly liked the way her relationship with her grandmother is portrayed.
However, on the whole, this novel just didn’t do much for me. It was a perfectly good book, but not great. I do think that’s my failing, not the author’s. I’m just too much past the intended audience to appreciate it.
Blair Brown does a fine job performing the audio version. I thought she really brought the characters to life.
From the back cover - Martha Boyle and Olive Barstow could have been friends, but they weren’t. Weeks after a tragic accident, all that is left are eerie connections between the two girls, former classmates who both kept the same secret without knowing it. Now, even while on vacation at the ocean, Martha can’t stop thinking about Olive. Things only get more complicated when Martha begins to like Jimmy Manning, a neighbor boy she used to despise. What is going on? Can life for Martha be the same ever again?
My reactions
The intended audience for this novel is the middle-school crowd, and I think 9- to 12-year-olds would respond really well to it. Henkes did a good job of showing tweens on the cusp of growing up – conflicted between loving and wanting to be with family, and wanting to explore and go out on their own. Martha does a lot of thinking and worrying over what Olive is missing, whether her dreams are really her own, whether her grandmother will die soon, whether Jimmy really likes her, whether her father and mother are happy, etc. I like that she feels comfortable confiding (somewhat) in the adults around her and listening to their advice. I particularly liked the way her relationship with her grandmother is portrayed.
However, on the whole, this novel just didn’t do much for me. It was a perfectly good book, but not great. I do think that’s my failing, not the author’s. I’m just too much past the intended audience to appreciate it.
Blair Brown does a fine job performing the audio version. I thought she really brought the characters to life.
i hate this book!!!!! but i had to read it for a summer reading assignment for school.....grrrr
subtle, sophisticated and beautiful. great symbolism and totally believable. calming but also emotional and engaging. I will be haunted by this book for a long time.
Great book interesting perspective relatable characters, better for older children.
I need to read more of this author ASAP.
I’d definitely share this book with anyone who enjoys Kate DiCamillo.
I’d definitely share this book with anyone who enjoys Kate DiCamillo.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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:
Yes
I read this book in middle school but had to reread and it was still very touching. I loved the setting of Cape Cod and Martha’s thoughts were very real and accurate to a twelve-year old girl’s. A great read about grieving and also coming to terms with death, but also loved Martha’s journey to how she decided to become a writer and the relationship she had with her grandmother really made me cry (it was so wholesome and loving). If you’re looking for a fast-paced and emotional read, this is a good choice.