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When Sea Becomes Sky
In this heartfelt summer story, acclaimed author Gillian McDunn paints a stunning portrait of the bond of siblings and the love we'll always carry with us.
Bex and Davey's summer in the saltmarsh is different this year, thanks to the record-breaking drought. Even the fish seem listless--and each day the water level lowers farther. When they discover a mysterious underwater statue, they're thrilled at the chance to solve the puzzle of its origin. This is the summer adventure they've been waiting for.
When they learn of a development plan that will destroy their special spot, they'll need to act quickly. Unfortunately, sometimes progress happens whether you're ready or not. What will it mean if Bex and Davey lose their corner of the marsh where otters frolic and dragonflies buzz--their favorite place to be siblings together?
As Bex and Davey attempt to save the statue and their beloved marsh, they come to see that the truth is not as simple as it seems . . . ultimately discovering so much more about life, permanence, love, and loss than they ever expected.
Award-winning author Gillian McDunn crafts a gorgeous story of love and siblinghood, of secret statues and island life, of holding on and letting go.
Bex and Davey's summer in the saltmarsh is different this year, thanks to the record-breaking drought. Even the fish seem listless--and each day the water level lowers farther. When they discover a mysterious underwater statue, they're thrilled at the chance to solve the puzzle of its origin. This is the summer adventure they've been waiting for.
When they learn of a development plan that will destroy their special spot, they'll need to act quickly. Unfortunately, sometimes progress happens whether you're ready or not. What will it mean if Bex and Davey lose their corner of the marsh where otters frolic and dragonflies buzz--their favorite place to be siblings together?
As Bex and Davey attempt to save the statue and their beloved marsh, they come to see that the truth is not as simple as it seems . . . ultimately discovering so much more about life, permanence, love, and loss than they ever expected.
Award-winning author Gillian McDunn crafts a gorgeous story of love and siblinghood, of secret statues and island life, of holding on and letting go.
288 pages, Paperback
First published February 28, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 224 reviews
February 21, 2023
WHEN SEA BECOMES SKY is a bittersweet and thoughtful story set during a drought in the Carolina salt marshes. Bex and her little brother Davey spend the summer exploring the marshes on Pelican Island, when one day they stumble upon the hand of an old statue reaching up out of the water. As the drought continues and the water recedes, more of the curious statue is revealed. At the same time, they find out that their beloved marsh is in danger of being destroyed by a bridge development plan.
This was a beautifully written and emotional middle grade novel about loss, grief, and finding a way to move on when faced with profound change. The stunning symbolism presented is on point, from the drought and statue's mystery, to the ever-changing marsh itself. The vibrant descriptions of the salt marshes made me feel like I was there with Bex and Davey, and I was rooting for them to solve the mystery of the statue. This is an amazing sibling adventure story with a deep and memorable meaning underneath. Highly recommended! ♥
Thank you to the publisher for providing me an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.
This was a beautifully written and emotional middle grade novel about loss, grief, and finding a way to move on when faced with profound change. The stunning symbolism presented is on point, from the drought and statue's mystery, to the ever-changing marsh itself. The vibrant descriptions of the salt marshes made me feel like I was there with Bex and Davey, and I was rooting for them to solve the mystery of the statue. This is an amazing sibling adventure story with a deep and memorable meaning underneath. Highly recommended! ♥
Thank you to the publisher for providing me an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.
April 11, 2024
*Libby app, Overdrive was better*
This book gave more to me than I thought. It misleads you but not in the way you think. You'll laugh, cry, reminisce about people,and want to hold everyone closer.
It's a story about not staying stuck in certain emotions. It's about family. It's about having a special bond and a special place to share with. It's about grief and holding on to happiness.
I wasn't sure about this at first but I am really glad I ended up giving it a shot.
This book gave more to me than I thought. It misleads you but not in the way you think. You'll laugh, cry, reminisce about people,and want to hold everyone closer.
It's a story about not staying stuck in certain emotions. It's about family. It's about having a special bond and a special place to share with. It's about grief and holding on to happiness.
I wasn't sure about this at first but I am really glad I ended up giving it a shot.
June 7, 2023
"It had been a just-us kind of summer, our schedule set only by the sun."
"You said you write stories and that you’ve been stuck. The only way forward is to start, even if you don’t know where you’ll end up."
I loved seeing this same illustration below before each chapter. I didn't notice at first there were slight differences in each, changing a bit the perception of time, showing the progression of the plot and those things that change for the characters inside this beautifully crafted story I enjoyed.
Within moments I was completely absorbed by Bex and Davies' summer adventure, a mystery to be solved. There were many lines about what it feels like to be a writer. I especially loved that those observations were coming from a child's (Bex) perspective. This tale also reminded me of Where the Forest Meets the Star because of a marsh, studying the nature and one of the main characters being a tween. Also the narration felt in the same vein with Summerlost, where the 12-year-old main character Cedar finds herself surrounded by mystery in a town where her family returned to for the summer. Same elusive patterns in both the stories, like in When Sea Becomes Sky, make them special!
"As far as telling the truth goes, this is a big one: in life, we all need someone to remind us of who we really are. I was lucky enough to have that person as my brother. He always managed to see the best parts of me, even when I couldn’t."
Quotes on writing:
Images:
1. Art by Elina Ellis
2 & 3. Art by Yaoyao Ma Van As
4. Art by Claudia Tremblay
"You said you write stories and that you’ve been stuck. The only way forward is to start, even if you don’t know where you’ll end up."
I loved seeing this same illustration below before each chapter. I didn't notice at first there were slight differences in each, changing a bit the perception of time, showing the progression of the plot and those things that change for the characters inside this beautifully crafted story I enjoyed.
Within moments I was completely absorbed by Bex and Davies' summer adventure, a mystery to be solved. There were many lines about what it feels like to be a writer. I especially loved that those observations were coming from a child's (Bex) perspective. This tale also reminded me of Where the Forest Meets the Star because of a marsh, studying the nature and one of the main characters being a tween. Also the narration felt in the same vein with Summerlost, where the 12-year-old main character Cedar finds herself surrounded by mystery in a town where her family returned to for the summer. Same elusive patterns in both the stories, like in When Sea Becomes Sky, make them special!
"As far as telling the truth goes, this is a big one: in life, we all need someone to remind us of who we really are. I was lucky enough to have that person as my brother. He always managed to see the best parts of me, even when I couldn’t."
Quotes on writing:
Images:
1. Art by Elina Ellis
2 & 3. Art by Yaoyao Ma Van As
4. Art by Claudia Tremblay
April 9, 2023
I AM WRECKED.
What I thought this book would have: Fun adventures, puzzling mystery, kids on a mission, environmentalism, idyllic summer vibes, quaint escapist setting that makes me feel I'm there with the characters. And yes I got all of that but also...
What I wasn't expecting: To be shaken to my core, for my heart to break, to feel all the feels.
This book was breathtaking, from the atmospheric setting to the lyrical writing to the beautiful plot. It explored themes of loss and grief but also love and healing; breaking my heart and putting it back together again. Overall, a highly moving read that I would recommend to all ages!
Even the author's note made me emotional, with Gillian McDunn thanking readers for trusting her with our reckless and tender hearts. Well, I would like to thank her for trusting us with When Sea Becomes Sky. Indeed love never ends.
Thank you Bloomsbury Children's Books for the physical and Netgalley ARC.
Favorite quotes:
✨ "When you truly know someone, words are optional."
✨ "How can you be okay with having something special and then losing it forever?"
✨ "Sometimes holding on to that pain is a way to try to keep them here with us."
✨ "I know that a good writer tells the truth. And I'm trying so hard to be good. But what is a writer with words that are all dried up?"
✨ "After a heart stretches out, it never goes back to the same shape. But maybe sometimes there's more room than there was before."
What I thought this book would have: Fun adventures, puzzling mystery, kids on a mission, environmentalism, idyllic summer vibes, quaint escapist setting that makes me feel I'm there with the characters. And yes I got all of that but also...
What I wasn't expecting: To be shaken to my core, for my heart to break, to feel all the feels.
This book was breathtaking, from the atmospheric setting to the lyrical writing to the beautiful plot. It explored themes of loss and grief but also love and healing; breaking my heart and putting it back together again. Overall, a highly moving read that I would recommend to all ages!
Even the author's note made me emotional, with Gillian McDunn thanking readers for trusting her with our reckless and tender hearts. Well, I would like to thank her for trusting us with When Sea Becomes Sky. Indeed love never ends.
Thank you Bloomsbury Children's Books for the physical and Netgalley ARC.
Favorite quotes:
✨ "When you truly know someone, words are optional."
✨ "How can you be okay with having something special and then losing it forever?"
✨ "Sometimes holding on to that pain is a way to try to keep them here with us."
✨ "I know that a good writer tells the truth. And I'm trying so hard to be good. But what is a writer with words that are all dried up?"
✨ "After a heart stretches out, it never goes back to the same shape. But maybe sometimes there's more room than there was before."
January 11, 2023
Thank you to the publisher for an ARC of this upcoming book (releases on Feb 28th).
Wow. I read the synopsis for this book when it first came out, but since I’ve been avoiding the buzz until I had a chance to read it myself, I had forgotten what it was about. I went into it cold this morning and went on an emotional roller coaster of a read with ALL the feels as I inhaled it. It’s one of those books that you can’t say a whole lot about without giving spoilers, but words like “profound,” “insightful,” and “unputdownable” immediately come to mind. What I most enjoyed was the story took me to places I wasn’t expecting, and I could tell the author was writing from a place of personal experience because it felt raw and honest. I’m amazed at how much was said in just under 200 pages.
This story will elicit an emotional reaction whenever I think about it. Although I will recommend it several times this year, I should mention a trigger warning for loss and grief.
Wow. I read the synopsis for this book when it first came out, but since I’ve been avoiding the buzz until I had a chance to read it myself, I had forgotten what it was about. I went into it cold this morning and went on an emotional roller coaster of a read with ALL the feels as I inhaled it. It’s one of those books that you can’t say a whole lot about without giving spoilers, but words like “profound,” “insightful,” and “unputdownable” immediately come to mind. What I most enjoyed was the story took me to places I wasn’t expecting, and I could tell the author was writing from a place of personal experience because it felt raw and honest. I’m amazed at how much was said in just under 200 pages.
This story will elicit an emotional reaction whenever I think about it. Although I will recommend it several times this year, I should mention a trigger warning for loss and grief.
December 25, 2024
This book was recommended by my Goodreads friend, TL. Her review is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Not only did her review make me want to read this story, but the cover of the book enticed me, as well.
The story centers around a brother and sister who spend their summers exploring the salt marshes of South Carolina. Readers will learn something about the salt marsh ecosystem, and gain insights about art and the creative process.
It is a deep story of loss and love and family and compassion and empathy. And, even though there will be themes of death and loss, it is done in a compassionate way giving readers the learning lessons of being true to oneself, trusting one’s instincts, and reaching out to others when one is in pain. As well as, recognizing that change is natural.
Reading Level: Ages 8 – 11 years – Grades: 3rd – 6th
Not only did her review make me want to read this story, but the cover of the book enticed me, as well.
The story centers around a brother and sister who spend their summers exploring the salt marshes of South Carolina. Readers will learn something about the salt marsh ecosystem, and gain insights about art and the creative process.
It is a deep story of loss and love and family and compassion and empathy. And, even though there will be themes of death and loss, it is done in a compassionate way giving readers the learning lessons of being true to oneself, trusting one’s instincts, and reaching out to others when one is in pain. As well as, recognizing that change is natural.
Reading Level: Ages 8 – 11 years – Grades: 3rd – 6th
December 23, 2023
4.5 stars
I have a lot of things floating through my head as I think about this book, but this book ends up being about so much. When looking at the complete picture that is not just about the story, but about the art and craft of storytelling, this book is brilliant and it goes to show that you can be any age and be able to enjoy what it has to offer. This is as far as I am going to go when it comes to examining this aspect, but instead, I am going to examine the magic that a special place, special people, and special details have to offer.
Rebecca "Bex" Wheeler is our first-person narrator. She is telling the story about the adventures that she is having with her younger brother, Davey, as they take their rowboat, "True Blue," to what they refer to as "The Thumb" on Pelican Island. I cannot help but think about the Pelican Island going toward Seaside Heights, as I am a New Jersey resident that lives within that area. Anyway, they find this "thumb" as their getaway along with their cat, Squish, as they examine the world around them and just enjoy the beauty that it has to offer. Davey offers his wisdom as he picks through his jar of yellow M&M's and they are clearly ALL yellow. They enjoy visiting their otter friends, which they named Fritz and Opal, and the crabs that inhabit the island.
This summer is a bit different, though, as there is a drought and it is having an impact on the water level. As the level is going down, they discover that there is a statue revealing itself. Bex and Davey look to explore the mystery as to why the statue made its way into the water and where it may have originated. This is all on top of a project that the town is engaged in where they plan to build a bridge that connects to this island and makes it an even bigger tourist attraction. Bex and Davey do what they can to save the island. The question is: do their efforts succeed?
The cast of characters in this book also include Bex and Davey's parents: her mother is a biology teacher that does research when she is not teaching and her father a ferryboat operator, Bex's ex-friend, Millie, of whom she fell out of touch with after an incident that took place the summer before, and Mrs. Ochoa, Millie's grandmother and a kind resident that owns a grocery shop in town.
When Sea Becomes Sky is amazing and should be commended for its amazing storytelling, its fleshing out of characters, its ability to develop an enriching, but believable atmosphere, but also its ability to really take the concept of creating a piece and turning it on its head, because the direction that this story takes sticks out more than anything and it is going to be one that any reader will remember indefinitely. This book is very heavy in its subject matter and younger readers should be prepared, but I think that younger readers should be dipping into a piece of this nature.
Bex is by all means a perfectly flawed individual, but she is likable for how real and authentic she seems. Her brother, Davey, is very much wise for his age and I admire his compassion and how much of a rock he is for Bex. He does kind of remind me of Charles Wallace from A Wrinkle in Time.
I would not say that this book is perfect, because there are a lot of holes to fill and not everyone feels like it is filled, but there is as much that is filled as possible. There is a tall task that comes with this book and it is just about accomplished.
I would like to see this book succeed in the years to come. It should be hailed for what it accomplishes.
I have a lot of things floating through my head as I think about this book, but this book ends up being about so much. When looking at the complete picture that is not just about the story, but about the art and craft of storytelling, this book is brilliant and it goes to show that you can be any age and be able to enjoy what it has to offer. This is as far as I am going to go when it comes to examining this aspect, but instead, I am going to examine the magic that a special place, special people, and special details have to offer.
Rebecca "Bex" Wheeler is our first-person narrator. She is telling the story about the adventures that she is having with her younger brother, Davey, as they take their rowboat, "True Blue," to what they refer to as "The Thumb" on Pelican Island. I cannot help but think about the Pelican Island going toward Seaside Heights, as I am a New Jersey resident that lives within that area. Anyway, they find this "thumb" as their getaway along with their cat, Squish, as they examine the world around them and just enjoy the beauty that it has to offer. Davey offers his wisdom as he picks through his jar of yellow M&M's and they are clearly ALL yellow. They enjoy visiting their otter friends, which they named Fritz and Opal, and the crabs that inhabit the island.
This summer is a bit different, though, as there is a drought and it is having an impact on the water level. As the level is going down, they discover that there is a statue revealing itself. Bex and Davey look to explore the mystery as to why the statue made its way into the water and where it may have originated. This is all on top of a project that the town is engaged in where they plan to build a bridge that connects to this island and makes it an even bigger tourist attraction. Bex and Davey do what they can to save the island. The question is: do their efforts succeed?
The cast of characters in this book also include Bex and Davey's parents: her mother is a biology teacher that does research when she is not teaching and her father a ferryboat operator, Bex's ex-friend, Millie, of whom she fell out of touch with after an incident that took place the summer before, and Mrs. Ochoa, Millie's grandmother and a kind resident that owns a grocery shop in town.
When Sea Becomes Sky is amazing and should be commended for its amazing storytelling, its fleshing out of characters, its ability to develop an enriching, but believable atmosphere, but also its ability to really take the concept of creating a piece and turning it on its head, because the direction that this story takes sticks out more than anything and it is going to be one that any reader will remember indefinitely. This book is very heavy in its subject matter and younger readers should be prepared, but I think that younger readers should be dipping into a piece of this nature.
Bex is by all means a perfectly flawed individual, but she is likable for how real and authentic she seems. Her brother, Davey, is very much wise for his age and I admire his compassion and how much of a rock he is for Bex. He does kind of remind me of Charles Wallace from A Wrinkle in Time.
I would not say that this book is perfect, because there are a lot of holes to fill and not everyone feels like it is filled, but there is as much that is filled as possible. There is a tall task that comes with this book and it is just about accomplished.
I would like to see this book succeed in the years to come. It should be hailed for what it accomplishes.
August 26, 2023
June 2023 read: This book broke me. Grief in all its heartbreaking honesty.
The author is one of my all time favourites now. I am so ready to read everything she writes!
The author is one of my all time favourites now. I am so ready to read everything she writes!
January 21, 2023
The writing in this book was lovely and I see the appeal clearly. I just figured out the big mystery from the third chapter (because I’ve read a MG book with the same premise) so that really took the wind out of the sails for me. Very moving story with a solid takeaway.
January 7, 2023
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Bex and her brother Davey live on Pelican Island with their father, who is a ferry boat driver, and their mother, a high school biology teacher who came to the island to do research and still does some in the summer. Lately, the mother has been very tired, and takes naps unexpectedly. Davey is selectively mute and will only talk to Bex, but the two are given free reign of the island to explore during the summer. Their favorite place to be is the wetlands of The Thumb, but things are not great there since there hasn't been rain on the island for nearly a year. Because of the low water level, they find a metal statue and try to investigate what it is and how it got there. After finding out that there is going to be a bridge built to the mainland, Bex hopes that the statue might halt the construction and save an area dear to her heart. She also worries that her father might be out of work because of the construction, and when she talks to him, he mentions that the family might move to the mainland so that her mother can go back to working for a university. For some reason, even though Bex had hoped to write for the local newspaper, she hasn't read the paper for a long time, and has missed the news of the bridge. She's also not talked to her former friend, Millie, who visits her grandmother every summer, Mrs. Ochoa, who runs a local market. In order to find out more about the statue, she writes to the Port Rogers art museum. They answer, and tell her that they are having an exhibition of local artist Effie Framingham's work, and that the artist used a similar mark to the one they've found on the statue. They concoct an elaborate plan to get to the mainland to see the exhibit, and some BIG secrets are revealed. Will it be enough to save Bex's world, or will she have to come to terms with some big issues and learn to move along.
Strengths: Wow. That was a big twist that I absolutely did not see coming. I mean, POW!, it hit me upside the head. That's pretty rare in a book. I saw some clues, but interpretted them as leading somewhere else. For a book that deals with a number of sad issues, this is surprisingly upbeat, and the mystery of the artwork, as well as the environmental themes, are quite interesting.
Weaknesses: The environmental aspect of this, and the issues facing Pelican Island because of the building, were the most interesting part of this for me, and when the big twist happened, the focus of the story took another direction.
What I really think: I like to see books with environmental themes, like Dilloway's Where the Sky Lives, Hurwitz's Hello from Renn Lake, Johnson's Rescue at Wild Lake, Guillory's Nowhere Better Than Here, Rodriguez, S.A. Treasure Tracks, Marcks' Shark Summer, and this author's The Queen Bee and Me. Ultimately, however, this ended up being a book more about grief than anything else. I would keep a close eye on this for being a Newbery contender in 2023.
Bex and her brother Davey live on Pelican Island with their father, who is a ferry boat driver, and their mother, a high school biology teacher who came to the island to do research and still does some in the summer. Lately, the mother has been very tired, and takes naps unexpectedly. Davey is selectively mute and will only talk to Bex, but the two are given free reign of the island to explore during the summer. Their favorite place to be is the wetlands of The Thumb, but things are not great there since there hasn't been rain on the island for nearly a year. Because of the low water level, they find a metal statue and try to investigate what it is and how it got there. After finding out that there is going to be a bridge built to the mainland, Bex hopes that the statue might halt the construction and save an area dear to her heart. She also worries that her father might be out of work because of the construction, and when she talks to him, he mentions that the family might move to the mainland so that her mother can go back to working for a university. For some reason, even though Bex had hoped to write for the local newspaper, she hasn't read the paper for a long time, and has missed the news of the bridge. She's also not talked to her former friend, Millie, who visits her grandmother every summer, Mrs. Ochoa, who runs a local market. In order to find out more about the statue, she writes to the Port Rogers art museum. They answer, and tell her that they are having an exhibition of local artist Effie Framingham's work, and that the artist used a similar mark to the one they've found on the statue. They concoct an elaborate plan to get to the mainland to see the exhibit, and some BIG secrets are revealed. Will it be enough to save Bex's world, or will she have to come to terms with some big issues and learn to move along.
Strengths: Wow. That was a big twist that I absolutely did not see coming. I mean, POW!, it hit me upside the head. That's pretty rare in a book. I saw some clues, but interpretted them as leading somewhere else. For a book that deals with a number of sad issues, this is surprisingly upbeat, and the mystery of the artwork, as well as the environmental themes, are quite interesting.
Weaknesses: The environmental aspect of this, and the issues facing Pelican Island because of the building, were the most interesting part of this for me, and when the big twist happened, the focus of the story took another direction.
What I really think: I like to see books with environmental themes, like Dilloway's Where the Sky Lives, Hurwitz's Hello from Renn Lake, Johnson's Rescue at Wild Lake, Guillory's Nowhere Better Than Here, Rodriguez, S.A. Treasure Tracks, Marcks' Shark Summer, and this author's The Queen Bee and Me. Ultimately, however, this ended up being a book more about grief than anything else. I would keep a close eye on this for being a Newbery contender in 2023.
July 8, 2023
Maybe on another day, I would give this an extra star, but I'm weary of middle-grade books were kids don't sound like kids, but rather what the author wishes us to know about her thoughts and feelings.
October 21, 2025
Don't get me wrong...there was a lot to like about this book, but some things that blindsided me, and I feel like need to be mentioned for those who might be sensitive. This review will contain spoilers, but ones that parents need to know about.
Characters:
Bex was relatable in her frustration with her writing being dried up, in her wanting to spend more time with Davie because she felt like she'd hurt him when she spent time alone with a friend. I related to that as an older sibling myself.
Davey was so sweet! And even though he didn't talk a lot around others, I loved him!
Bex and Davey's parents were super nice and seemed like genuine people as did everyone they interacted with on the island.
Language:
N/A
Romance:
N/A
Content Considerations for Parents (aka Spoilers)
First, there is a very brief mention of a family with two dads, I was gonna ignore that and keep reading even though it goes against my personal convictions. The mention was so quick and vague.
The biggest issue I have with this book is that it is not a cozy summer mystery about a brother and sister...well, it is, until the 80% mark. Then things take a dramatic twist that could be devastating for a child who wasn't expecting it. Davey is dead. The whole time to this point, Becks has been imagining him, but you don't know that until the 80% mark. For a child who has lost a sibling this could be a very hurtful/traumatizing read to think that you are reading a cozy, fun mystery, something you and your sibling might have done together only to have that jerked out from under you 80% into the book.
There should be a content warning. A big, bold content warning.
Another thing for Christian parents to consider is this is a secular book, so the advice on grieving is very general. There is no hope of eternity. Nothing consoling. Only the fact that they will always be with you. I honestly don't know how people who don't have the hope of eternity survive the grieving process, it seems so terrible to think that you will never see them again. Especially with the traumatic way Davey died.
The author's note at the end does talk about how the author lost a brother herself at that age and the reason she wrote this story, and I loved most of the book, even the nice rounded ending, but that bombshell of Davey being dead took my breath because my mind immediately went to, "What if a kid who has a lost a sibling picks this up and doesn't know?"
Bex blamed herself for Davey's death and that carries extra weight into the plot.
Also, Davey died by being hit by a car...another hugely tragic element.
Then Bex talks to someone who's daughter died from cancer...so there's another content warning. This book can be heavy.
Consider this a friendly warning.
Overall:
This is a fun book (up to 80%), it has a beautiful older and younger sibling dynamic. There are moments that if I were to reread, this would have me bawling my eyes out because I know how it ends now and everything would have a much more tragic air to it. But going in, reading it the first time, I had no idea.
Recommend age 10+ but only if they can handle the story and know what they are getting into...I don't think any kid should be blindsided by this, especially not given the weight that learning of Davey's death carries.
Characters:
Bex was relatable in her frustration with her writing being dried up, in her wanting to spend more time with Davie because she felt like she'd hurt him when she spent time alone with a friend. I related to that as an older sibling myself.
Davey was so sweet! And even though he didn't talk a lot around others, I loved him!
Bex and Davey's parents were super nice and seemed like genuine people as did everyone they interacted with on the island.
Language:
N/A
Romance:
N/A
Content Considerations for Parents (aka Spoilers)
First, there is a very brief mention of a family with two dads, I was gonna ignore that and keep reading even though it goes against my personal convictions. The mention was so quick and vague.
The biggest issue I have with this book is that it is not a cozy summer mystery about a brother and sister...well, it is, until the 80% mark. Then things take a dramatic twist that could be devastating for a child who wasn't expecting it. Davey is dead. The whole time to this point, Becks has been imagining him, but you don't know that until the 80% mark. For a child who has lost a sibling this could be a very hurtful/traumatizing read to think that you are reading a cozy, fun mystery, something you and your sibling might have done together only to have that jerked out from under you 80% into the book.
There should be a content warning. A big, bold content warning.
Another thing for Christian parents to consider is this is a secular book, so the advice on grieving is very general. There is no hope of eternity. Nothing consoling. Only the fact that they will always be with you. I honestly don't know how people who don't have the hope of eternity survive the grieving process, it seems so terrible to think that you will never see them again. Especially with the traumatic way Davey died.
The author's note at the end does talk about how the author lost a brother herself at that age and the reason she wrote this story, and I loved most of the book, even the nice rounded ending, but that bombshell of Davey being dead took my breath because my mind immediately went to, "What if a kid who has a lost a sibling picks this up and doesn't know?"
Bex blamed herself for Davey's death and that carries extra weight into the plot.
Also, Davey died by being hit by a car...another hugely tragic element.
Then Bex talks to someone who's daughter died from cancer...so there's another content warning. This book can be heavy.
Consider this a friendly warning.
Overall:
This is a fun book (up to 80%), it has a beautiful older and younger sibling dynamic. There are moments that if I were to reread, this would have me bawling my eyes out because I know how it ends now and everything would have a much more tragic air to it. But going in, reading it the first time, I had no idea.
Recommend age 10+ but only if they can handle the story and know what they are getting into...I don't think any kid should be blindsided by this, especially not given the weight that learning of Davey's death carries.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 24, 2024
3.5 stars
A very moving, heart-warming story.
Bex and her younger brother Dave loved everything about living near a salt marsh. To them, it was almost like another member of the family, with its special smells, sounds, and wonderful things from nature. But now, developers are scheming to build a bridge and destroy this natural piece of landscape in the process. Bex is determined not to stand back and let a beloved piece of her childhood be destroyed. She’s had feelings of guilt as a result of a tragedy that occurred almost a year ago; she’s not about to lose something else she loves, and then feel responsible…
A very moving, heart-warming story.
Bex and her younger brother Dave loved everything about living near a salt marsh. To them, it was almost like another member of the family, with its special smells, sounds, and wonderful things from nature. But now, developers are scheming to build a bridge and destroy this natural piece of landscape in the process. Bex is determined not to stand back and let a beloved piece of her childhood be destroyed. She’s had feelings of guilt as a result of a tragedy that occurred almost a year ago; she’s not about to lose something else she loves, and then feel responsible…
February 26, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
4.5/5 STARS (rounded up)
This is a contemporary middle grade book.
Set in a coastal town, siblings discover a statue in a remote part of the marsh. They work to uncover the mystery of the statue and find something deeper than just art.
This was the perfect middle grade book! It was heartfelt and well done. It talked about grief, loss, and moving on in a mature but also age appropriate way for a middle grade reader to relate to. You could sense that the author wrote from a place of personal experience. Without spoiling it, there is a twist towards the end that takes this book to the next level.
I would read more from this author!
Thank you Bloomsbury Children’s Books for the ARC! 🦀🐚
4.5/5 STARS (rounded up)
This is a contemporary middle grade book.
Set in a coastal town, siblings discover a statue in a remote part of the marsh. They work to uncover the mystery of the statue and find something deeper than just art.
This was the perfect middle grade book! It was heartfelt and well done. It talked about grief, loss, and moving on in a mature but also age appropriate way for a middle grade reader to relate to. You could sense that the author wrote from a place of personal experience. Without spoiling it, there is a twist towards the end that takes this book to the next level.
I would read more from this author!
Thank you Bloomsbury Children’s Books for the ARC! 🦀🐚
June 22, 2025
Another William Allen White book checked off for this school year.
A sweet little therapy story for young readers who have lost a loved one.
A sweet little therapy story for young readers who have lost a loved one.
January 9, 2025
Gillian McDunn has done it again. I’ve loved all of her novels but this one really got me. Her sense of place is always stunning, but this story really brought me into the marsh and allowed me to spend part of this special and important summer with Bex and Davey. The moment when I realized what this book was *really* about, I had to set it down for a while to stop and think (but still gulped down the whole story in less than 24 hours). Such a heartwarming, touching, fun story that is so approachable for younger middle grade readers and beyond.
June 5, 2023
This was a really good middle-grade novel about what home means and how to deal with a devastating loss. The plot twist was amazing. Without spoiling anything I’ll say that it made me rethink my critiques about the characterization that I had in the beginning of the book. I think this book does a good job dealing with one large and important issue, instead of cramming a bunch in like other middle-grade books I’ve read. I highly recommend!
December 1, 2022
Thank you to Bloomsbury publishing for giving me an ARC of this book.
I read this book to my kids and let me just say this book had my whole heart. This is a story about love between siblings and the adventures they have together. I have never read a book by this author before but will be picking up more from her. Please pick this book up when it come out on Feb 2023! You won’t be sorry!
I read this book to my kids and let me just say this book had my whole heart. This is a story about love between siblings and the adventures they have together. I have never read a book by this author before but will be picking up more from her. Please pick this book up when it come out on Feb 2023! You won’t be sorry!
March 1, 2023
All of Gillian’s books are wonderful, but this one is especially profound. I’ll be thinking about it for a long time.
October 23, 2025
I work in a k-5 school library and this book was added to our collection because it is a nominee for the Missouri Mark Twain Award. I started reading this book because it's one of those books that I couldn't decide where I wanted to shelve it (realistic fiction, mystery, action/adventure...) just by reading the summary and looking at the cover. Reading the first three chapters, we're introduced to Bex, a kid writer, and her little brother Davey, who doesn't talk much. It's the start of summer, Bex has writer's block, and Bex and Davey spend time exploring the small island they live on.
100 pages in, I know that this is a bona-fide mystery (Bex and Davey discover a mysterious statue in the water and they want to discover who made it and who put it there), but I don't really understand why it was nominated for the Mark Twain. It's not bad. The writing is really strong—especially at the beginning. Lots of colorful and figurative language. But the plot marches on and it's not particularly exciting.
The two kids get to the larger island's museum and keep seeing a mysterious, oddly dressed, and harsh-looking woman... while they are investigating the artist behind the statue. I think to myself: "ohoho, this is obvious." As the car that drives this mystery comes to a park, I am hit by an 18-wheeler that I didn't see coming. And that reveal is why this book was nominated for the Mark Twain. It takes you about 150 pages to get to it, but WOW do you get to it.
I'm not sure this book will circulate in my library if it is shelved in the mystery section because the beginning is slow and the genre is a bit awkward in our collection's context (it's a mystery, but it's not scary or even very dramatic). I'll be putting it in realistic fiction hoping it gets more circs there. Despite the plot, there are many themes of family, friendship, and home that will feel at "home" in the realistic fiction section. This book is a great big metaphor. Students who read at higher levels and truly comprehend & remember what they read will enjoy it a lot, I think. After the 18-wheeler, a lot of smaller details from the beginning of the book start appearing in a different light. This book would benefit students who are going through life changes/transitions in the family or home.
100 pages in, I know that this is a bona-fide mystery (Bex and Davey discover a mysterious statue in the water and they want to discover who made it and who put it there), but I don't really understand why it was nominated for the Mark Twain. It's not bad. The writing is really strong—especially at the beginning. Lots of colorful and figurative language. But the plot marches on and it's not particularly exciting.
The two kids get to the larger island's museum and keep seeing a mysterious, oddly dressed, and harsh-looking woman... while they are investigating the artist behind the statue. I think to myself: "ohoho, this is obvious." As the car that drives this mystery comes to a park, I am hit by an 18-wheeler that I didn't see coming. And that reveal is why this book was nominated for the Mark Twain. It takes you about 150 pages to get to it, but WOW do you get to it.
I'm not sure this book will circulate in my library if it is shelved in the mystery section because the beginning is slow and the genre is a bit awkward in our collection's context (it's a mystery, but it's not scary or even very dramatic). I'll be putting it in realistic fiction hoping it gets more circs there. Despite the plot, there are many themes of family, friendship, and home that will feel at "home" in the realistic fiction section. This book is a great big metaphor. Students who read at higher levels and truly comprehend & remember what they read will enjoy it a lot, I think. After the 18-wheeler, a lot of smaller details from the beginning of the book start appearing in a different light. This book would benefit students who are going through life changes/transitions in the family or home.
September 30, 2024
Gillian McDunn (These Unlucky Stars, Caterpillar Summer, Honestly Elliott, Queen Bee & Me) writes her newest book calling on her own experience of losing her brother and that helps explain why the emotions and reactions of Bex feel so authentic. This is a summer of adventure with brother Davey and they spend it exploring their favorite place on Pelican Island that they call The Thumb—watching otter play, crabs scuttle, and supposing what the old live oak has seen. When extreme drought exposes the statue of a woman, adventure turns into mystery. The two pool their individual strengths and set out to identify the statue in the hopes that it will have enough significance to thwart development plans that threaten their daytime haven. Readers will have much to wonder about as they move through this realistic fiction work—why is there a statue in the marsh, will Davey resume talking to others outside of Bex, can the duo stop a bridge from destroying The Thumb? All will be answered by the end of the book but not in the way that most will suspect unless they are the sort to read an author’s endnotes before starting the book or have seen author interviews about it. Libraries with McDunn’s works and/or a readership in other sad-happy books like those written by Barbara O’Connor, Cynthia Lord or Lisa Graff will want this one. No profanity, violence or sexual content.
November 29, 2023
This book was highly recommended to me by a person I have never met personally, but in a group on a social media site. So, I requested the book from my local library who didn't have a copy and they put in a request to borrow it from a different library. It took forever to get it in. I didn't know I was basically waiting on a book suitable for 4th and 5th graders. Guess I should have looked into it a little more than I did. Anyway, the story itself was nice, but it was obviously written on a child's level and so, it was too simplistic for me. It seems unfair for me to critique this book from an adult standpoint so, I will just say this book would be a decent read for a child between 9 and 12 years of age, especially if they have experienced a loss of a loved one and want to read about another child who has experienced the same sort of event. To sum things up, I will say reading this book wasn't a total waste of time, just not my typical read in general.
June 20, 2024
I may have a new YR favorite book! Beautiful done with a cheeky main character and sweet sidekick in her younger brother. Plus a little bit of mystery and a pair of otters!
Some of the story was familiar, set in the marshlands and rumors of a bridge *coughmidCurrituckbridgecough* that gave it familiarity, though some felt more SC than NC (just saying) but while living in Raleigh, the author is originally from the other coast.
Yes, dear reader, I cried. A well executed twist that will have young readers thinking but also appreciating the way the family (and community) handle loss. Top marks and an excellent choice for the 8-12 crowd.
Some of the story was familiar, set in the marshlands and rumors of a bridge *coughmidCurrituckbridgecough* that gave it familiarity, though some felt more SC than NC (just saying) but while living in Raleigh, the author is originally from the other coast.
Yes, dear reader, I cried. A well executed twist that will have young readers thinking but also appreciating the way the family (and community) handle loss. Top marks and an excellent choice for the 8-12 crowd.
December 8, 2024
This book has a great balance of happiness, love, loss, curiosity, and sadness. When I first started When Sea Becomes Sky, I truly thought it would book about mystery and excitement. However, the end got my heart pounding. I am positive I cried all my tears out with this book. I myself think the bond between Davey and Bex is what makes this story both heartfelt and tear worthy. I have read many books by Gillian McDunn and I loved them all, but this one truly got me and was certainly my favorite.
June 11, 2025
2.5 Stars
I had a hard time finishing this, even though it was fairly short. I'd accidentally spoiled the big twist by reading a review shortly after I started it, and I think that was part of the problem. It really needs to be read with as little info as possible.
It was definitely not the fluffy summer book I was looking for.
I had a hard time finishing this, even though it was fairly short. I'd accidentally spoiled the big twist by reading a review shortly after I started it, and I think that was part of the problem. It really needs to be read with as little info as possible.
It was definitely not the fluffy summer book I was looking for.
June 29, 2023
What an incredible middle grade novel! I read this in one sitting, and it touched me in such a profound way. A beautiful story of sibling love with mystery, grief, friendship, and nature added. This book shook me, and I will be thinking about it for some time to come.
July 8, 2024
This book was a masterpiece. In just over two-hundred pages, McDunn painted a beautiful story of the bond between two siblings and the impact one place can have on you.
I picked up this book because it sounded a lot like a book I’m writing. It was in several respects! However, I was not expecting what happened towards the end, and how deeply it would impact me. One word that describes this book is profound. I can’t elaborate too much without giving something away, but the grace with which McDunn addressed such a delicate topic was beautiful. And she managed to address it in a way that kids can understand. This book will leave a lasting impact on my life, and I feel privileged to have read it. Even though (maybe especially since) it made me cry. Real tears.
I picked up this book because it sounded a lot like a book I’m writing. It was in several respects! However, I was not expecting what happened towards the end, and how deeply it would impact me. One word that describes this book is profound. I can’t elaborate too much without giving something away, but the grace with which McDunn addressed such a delicate topic was beautiful. And she managed to address it in a way that kids can understand. This book will leave a lasting impact on my life, and I feel privileged to have read it. Even though (maybe especially since) it made me cry. Real tears.
December 14, 2024
I like the author because her books are interesting and I like the characters. The characters seem pretty realistic. This is the third book that I read by this author, the books are all different. (Written by my son)
July 25, 2025
I read this book with my daughter (8, going into 3rd grade) and I’m so glad I did. This was a very good book with very sad parts. This is the first time a book really had her feeling hard emotions. So well written.
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June 30, 2023Readers will practically smell the salty island air in this novel about a special summer that considers big questions and appreciates quiet moments.
#MiddleGrade #ChildrensBook #Fiction #Nature
#MiddleGrade #ChildrensBook #Fiction #Nature
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