Sea Legs

November 18, 2024
Based on debut author Bakes’s childhood experiences sailing with her parents, this buoyant graphic novel follows the adventures of Janey as she sails the Caribbean during her fourth grade year in the mid-1990s. The family leaves Indian Harbor Beach, Fla., where they had moored long enough for Janey to go to school and make a best friend. But now that she’s at sea, her mother is her teacher, and she rarely encounters other kids. When they anchor in St. Thomas, Janey meets older (and cooler) Astrid, who experiences emotional and physical abuse from her alcohol-dependent father. The girls soon become each other’s support system and bond over the contradiction of cohabitating in confined quarters and luxuriating in the vastness of the open ocean while living on a boat. Vibrant artwork by Smith (The Golden Hour) bursts with tropical colors and includes detailed nautical diagrams and maps throughout. Together, the creators skillfully recreate the unique experience of living at sea, infusing the story with humor and intense emotion that invites readers to partake in a shared adventure. Janey is depicted with pale skin and Astrid is shown with tan skin. Ages 8–12. Illustrator’s agent: Charlie Olsen, InkWell Management.

Starred review from December 15, 2024
In this graphic novel inspired by the author's life, soon-to-be fourth grader Janey finds adventure living aboard her parents' sailboat. It's 1993, and Janey is leaving Florida to head back out to sea on theMerimaid, the sailboat that is her home. While her parents worked on shore to earn money to continue sailing--her father is a welder, and her mom cleaned the marina office to help pay for their slip--Janey attended school in Indian Harbour Beach. Janey sails south with her parents and beloved cat, eventually reaching the U.S. Virgin Islands. Living aboard a 42-foot sailboat in the Caribbean may seem glamorous, but Bakes presents not only the adventure and excitement, but also the loneliness and difficulties of staying close to her best friend. When Janey spies another boat with kids on board, she quickly radios and is thrilled to make contact with another girl, Astrid. They become friends, although older daredevil Astrid pushes Janey beyond her comfort level. But as she learns more about Astrid's life, Janey begins to appreciate how fortunate her own is. Filled with lively, touching, and suspenseful vignettes, this story of an unusual childhood is distinctive for its authenticity and lack of romanticism. Accurate in all sailing details, the tale is both refreshing and stimulating. Smith's luminous art vibrantly portrays the characters' range of emotions and the book's diverse settings. Janey reads white; Astrid has wavy black hair and light brown skin. Authentic and engaging. (author's and illustrator's notes)(Graphic fiction. 8-12)

COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Starred review from January 1, 2025
Grades 3-7 *Starred Review* This moving debut graphic novel set on tropical seas in 1995 explores connection, self-awareness, and the understanding that we don't always know what someone else is going through. "We had spent years traveling before we landed here, so I knew how to miss things. Mom would say that's just how you know they meant something to you." Thanks to a life at sea, incoming fourth-grader Janey is adept at finding sentimental permanence in the temporary, and while the world is so big, it can feel quite small on a houseboat. When she meets Astrid, an older girl with a penchant for sneaking into places she shouldn't, Janey begins to understand that everyone is their own main character and not all stories are as magical as her own. Though it's a struggle to realize, Janey begins to notice the depth and complexity of the people around her. Smith's artwork flows through different styles depending on the narrative's needs; exaggerated manga-style facial expressions in a humorous scene flow smoothly into stunning horizons using tropical hues of pinks and blues. Occasional diagrams explain the layout and lifestyle of a houseboat. Adults in the book can be seen smoking and drinking. Inspired by the author's childhood at sea, this graphic novel, by two lifelong friends, is a visually and emotionally vibrant must-read.

COPYRIGHT(2025) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

March 1, 2025
This heartfelt graphic novel explores the uncharted waters of growing up, friendship, and self-discovery. Soon after Janey finishes third grade, she and her family move onto their red-sailed schooner to live and to sail the Caribbean Islands. Janey misses her home and wishes for an ordinary life with a "Normal House" and "Real School" rather than "Fourth Grade in a Box" (what Mom calls homeschool). But then she befriends Astrid, another boat kid who is older and more daring. Janey finds herself both drawn to and frustrated by her new friend's unpredictable personality until she learns that Astrid harbors her own secrets and wishes. Janey discovers the value of leaving your comfort zone as she is forced to confront fears, examine boundaries, and understand what it means to trust others. Bakes's narrative effectively integrates ideas of belonging and gratitude and uses the ocean and weather as metaphors for personal growth. Smith's colorful illustrations reflect the ocean's -- and the protagonist's -- ever-changing moods. Inventive panels that showcase handwritten letters, maps, and annotated sketches further immerse readers in Janey's world. An appended author's note explains connections to Bakes's childhood. Alicia Rogers

(Copyright 2025 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)