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Becca #1
Becca at Sea
Becca has been a frequent guest at her grandmother’s rustic cabin in the Gulf Islands, but previously always with her parents. This year is different. With Mom expecting a baby, Becca must make the visit alone. This time the island — and even her grandmother — seem unfamiliar and a little scary. Besides, it’s February and the island, so festive in summer, is cold and almost deserted. The visit brings out all of Becca’s insecurities. . .until she finds an oyster full of pearls, marking the start of small but significant adventures that leave her seeing the island, and herself, through new eyes. As the months pass and her mom’s pregnancy progresses, Becca returns to the island several times, each time gaining confidence as she experiences fascinating new adventures including watching the annual herring run in a sinking dinghy, scaling a cliff, and even going skinny-dipping. Warmer weather brings a host of relatives, and Becca now faces new challenges from bossy cousins to a first-time sailboat trip to careless adults who almost burn down the cabin. An endearing central character, a sure sense of place, and a richly inventive narrative make Deirdre Baker’s debut novel in the young adult genre a memorable one.
176 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2007
59 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 4, 2021
Очень много хорошего, но автор все бросает
October 22, 2019
A series of visits to her grandmother's rustic cabin by the ocean provide the setting for Becca to discover her own capacities and interests, in contrast or in sync with her various relatives and some neighbors.
British Columbia's Hornby Island is the model for the setting, and it may be a challenge for some readers to picture the place, where houses are close enough to walk to a neighbor's for a visit or to borrow ingredients, but children can get lost in the brambly woods along the coast as well.
I found the descriptions of messing around on boats to be very accurate to my own childhood experiences - the way the water slaps you in the face right when you are getting comfortable with the turbulence around you, and it makes you laugh! (for example)
The cover image - of blonde, 10-year-old Becca handling a small sailing dinghy alone, will probably attract exactly the reader the book will appeal to; those who are interested in her observations of her family, neighbors, (default-white?) community, and the natural environment.
The main problem with this book is that the size of the audience it will appeal to (cover image, setting, descriptive passages, tone, characters, etc.) is a rather small percentage at my location - and we don't have enough space on our shelves to keep books that circulate fewer than twice a year.
I desperately need books that meet a threshold of INTERSECTIONALITY so that a book like this will not explicitly dis-include so many members of my community. I wish I had room for every well-written book that tells an honest, thoughtful story about a small portion of the world - but at this point, I have to wonder if another book about a lovely white girl - who vacations on a peaceful island and has plenty of support to get through the normal struggles of just being a growing, developing person without any handicaps, ailments, problems, prejudice, or oppression - might actually feel like one more thorn in the side of all the readers who actually deal with much more dramatic, threatening struggles every day. Will this be irritating to them - or a relief?
I would like to hear from the people who hated this book, but few of them bother to write a review. I suppose few of them would have even picked it up in the first place, because the cover really does match the content.
British Columbia's Hornby Island is the model for the setting, and it may be a challenge for some readers to picture the place, where houses are close enough to walk to a neighbor's for a visit or to borrow ingredients, but children can get lost in the brambly woods along the coast as well.
I found the descriptions of messing around on boats to be very accurate to my own childhood experiences - the way the water slaps you in the face right when you are getting comfortable with the turbulence around you, and it makes you laugh! (for example)
The cover image - of blonde, 10-year-old Becca handling a small sailing dinghy alone, will probably attract exactly the reader the book will appeal to; those who are interested in her observations of her family, neighbors, (default-white?) community, and the natural environment.
The main problem with this book is that the size of the audience it will appeal to (cover image, setting, descriptive passages, tone, characters, etc.) is a rather small percentage at my location - and we don't have enough space on our shelves to keep books that circulate fewer than twice a year.
I desperately need books that meet a threshold of INTERSECTIONALITY so that a book like this will not explicitly dis-include so many members of my community. I wish I had room for every well-written book that tells an honest, thoughtful story about a small portion of the world - but at this point, I have to wonder if another book about a lovely white girl - who vacations on a peaceful island and has plenty of support to get through the normal struggles of just being a growing, developing person without any handicaps, ailments, problems, prejudice, or oppression - might actually feel like one more thorn in the side of all the readers who actually deal with much more dramatic, threatening struggles every day. Will this be irritating to them - or a relief?
I would like to hear from the people who hated this book, but few of them bother to write a review. I suppose few of them would have even picked it up in the first place, because the cover really does match the content.
September 23, 2019
A very old-fashioned book in setting, characters, especially in language. However, I enjoyed reading it and think many children will also because of the interesting things and adventures Becca has in a very real setting, There are many adult characters, and even the other children that show up are older than Becca, but they provide opportunities for her to not only learn, but to show her own capabilities, and even show them up - but never in a mean way. She would be seen as a goody-two-shoes to some kids, if it were not for her little complaints here and there. The characters are all distinct and many with unique quirkiness that they make for a memorable cast even though large. The author's has various relatives visit in sequence throughout Becca's visit to her grandmother, which makes it easier to take in the large cast - and is very much the way of real families visiting an elder living in a small coastal town. If your child has any interest in the sea, boating, life by the sea - but no experiences - this story brings them to life vividly. The author is adept at introducing words and phrases in context, so even the odd or old-fashioned words can be handled by young readers.
I also wonder if kids, without the context of language in the past, would have a different take on this? Perhaps they simply add to the eccentric nature of the characters in this story. But knowing many people like these in places I have lived, it feels rich with details from lived experiences of the author.
I also wonder if kids, without the context of language in the past, would have a different take on this? Perhaps they simply add to the eccentric nature of the characters in this story. But knowing many people like these in places I have lived, it feels rich with details from lived experiences of the author.
June 30, 2022
This was a delightful book about a young girl who enjoys visiting her grandmother who lives on a small island off the coast of British Columbia. The first visit is in February, a time she doesn't usually visit, but her parents are taking a trip so she's staying with Gran while they're gone. It's just the two of them so Becca has some adjustments to make as there are usually other family members there. But she has a great time, especially finding themselves in the midst of a herring egg-laying frenzy while out in their boat & almost getting kissed by a sea lion. Becca returns in May with her dad & two cousins & again in summer while her parents await the birth of Becca's new brother or sister. She has great adventures with her aunt, more cousins, & finally protecting a baby seal separated from its mother. Her parents finally arrive with her new sibling & the rest of the family follows to have a celebration "new" birthday party. I loved the interactions amongst all the family members, very realistic feelings & fun; the lessons Becca learns & new things she tries help her figure out what she's made of & how to handle new discoveries about her family. It sounded like this might become a series & I would love to read about Becca's further adventures. Great book!
May 25, 2018
I love reading well written children's books and this sweet discription of a ten year old girl's experience with her Gran and family on a small island in Vancouver, BC. Horn Book's review sums it up better than I could.
"With a lovingly depicted island setting the readers will yearn to visit, this funny endearing book should find a wide audience." Not just children either! in my HO. There are lots of lessons for all stages of life.
I have become a Deirdre Baker follower. Becca has more episodic adventures that I'd like save for a perfect time but I'm enthralled in this mellow feeling, that all is well, and I will take time out from "serious" reading to savor the charm and skill of the writer. Here is one favorite notion:
Becca and her two older cousins enter a woods surrounding a glade. The sweet smell of wildflowers and moss, and the silver bark of a tree, inspires Becca to hug a tree and make a wish. " 'What are you doing', Alicia demanded. She and Lucy were standing at the edge of the salal (heath), watching Becca curiously. 'What I want,' she said, still holding the tree."
Watch out Lucy Maud Montgomery!
"With a lovingly depicted island setting the readers will yearn to visit, this funny endearing book should find a wide audience." Not just children either! in my HO. There are lots of lessons for all stages of life.
I have become a Deirdre Baker follower. Becca has more episodic adventures that I'd like save for a perfect time but I'm enthralled in this mellow feeling, that all is well, and I will take time out from "serious" reading to savor the charm and skill of the writer. Here is one favorite notion:
Becca and her two older cousins enter a woods surrounding a glade. The sweet smell of wildflowers and moss, and the silver bark of a tree, inspires Becca to hug a tree and make a wish. " 'What are you doing', Alicia demanded. She and Lucy were standing at the edge of the salal (heath), watching Becca curiously. 'What I want,' she said, still holding the tree."
Watch out Lucy Maud Montgomery!
Read
April 4, 2013As her parents prepare for the arrival of a new baby, Becca goes to Gran’s cottage where she finds herself learning how to shuck oysters, make jam, turn compost and grow a garden. During her stay with grandma, Becca soon realizes that she yearns for something more. Becca wants to make things happen. After all, she will soon be a big sister and not the baby of the family. Becca soon finds herself swept away by one thrilling and startling adventure after another. She is kissed by a seal, saves her family from a burning house, and swims all the way around Camas Island. It is through these adventurous journeys that Becca learns a lot about herself and what it is like to become an independent and confident person. Becca at Sea is a delightful fiction full of suspense and adventure. Author Deirdre Baker is a remarkable storyteller who uses unique literary devices and techniques which create meaning and images through language. It is through her distinctive writing style that the reader is able to gain a deeper understanding of the story. Divided into manageable chapters, the book is an easy read. The gripping escapades compel the reader to continue reading as Becca takes them from one exciting exploration to the next. Becca at Sea is more than an enlightening story of a young girl growing up through adventures of the sea and outdoors. It is a book about the significance of family and friendship and is highly recommended for any school library.
Reviewed by Georgie Perigny in Canadian Children's Book News
Spring 2008 VOL.31 NO.2
Reviewed by Georgie Perigny in Canadian Children's Book News
Spring 2008 VOL.31 NO.2
December 20, 2008
This episodic tale describes one girl's series of adventures at her grandmother's house throughout the year. Becca's grandmother lives on an island off of the Canadian coast, lending to the story a very cozy and unique environment filled with midnight swims, oysters, and seals. In every adventure, Becca is able to come out on top and save the day. By the book's end, Becca has come to realize just how capable of a person she really is and just how much she has grown in the past year.
While the book is beautifully written, the episodic nature may be problematic for very young readers. Some elements, such as the impending arrival of Becca's new baby sibling and Becca's aunt's budding yet troubled romance with the local plumber, weave their way in and out of each story, but as a general rule a new adventure begins with each chapter with much time sometimes passing between events. Whether or not readers view this as a pro or con is a matter of personal preference. What all readers will certainly agree on is that author Deirdre Baker has created a beautifully inviting setting for Becca's story, one that will make this book stand out from other coming-of-age or new-sibling stories for this age group.
While the book is beautifully written, the episodic nature may be problematic for very young readers. Some elements, such as the impending arrival of Becca's new baby sibling and Becca's aunt's budding yet troubled romance with the local plumber, weave their way in and out of each story, but as a general rule a new adventure begins with each chapter with much time sometimes passing between events. Whether or not readers view this as a pro or con is a matter of personal preference. What all readers will certainly agree on is that author Deirdre Baker has created a beautifully inviting setting for Becca's story, one that will make this book stand out from other coming-of-age or new-sibling stories for this age group.
Read
February 7, 2021May 25, 2018
I love reading well written children's books and this sweet discription of a ten year old girl's experience with her Gran and family on a small island in Vancouver, BC. Horn Book's review sums it up better than I could.
"With a lovingly depicted island setting the readers will yearn to visit, this funny endearing book should find a wide audience." Not just children either! in my HO. There are lots of lessons for all stages of life.
I have become a Deirdre Baker follower. Becca has more episodic adventures that I'd like save for a perfect time but I'm enthralled in this mellow feeling, that all is well, and I will take time out from "serious" reading to savor the charm and skill of the writer. Here is one favorite notion:
Becca and her two older cousins enter a woods surrounding a glade. The sweet smell of wildflowers and moss, and the silver bark of a tree, inspires Becca to hug a tree and make a wish. " 'What are you doing', Alicia demanded. She and Lucy were standing at the edge of the salal (heath), watching Becca curiously. 'What I want,' she said, still holding the tree."
Watch out Lucy Maud Montgomery!
May 7, 2008
If you're looking for something to read while you're waiting for the next installment of the Penderwick family story, I've got your book. Baker is a reviewer for Horn Book and a professor of children's literature, and this story of Becca's year of visits to her grandmother's house on a Canadian island, like the Penderwick books, harks back to the idyllic family vacation stories of last century. Not at all sappy, it's often hilarious (yes, I LOLd). Now I want blackberry jam. Without the threat to life and limb.
February 19, 2022
Becca at Sea is a charming book. I enjoyed the characters that Dierdre Baker created in this simple story of a girl visiting her grandmother on a small Island near Vancouver Island B.C. Each chapter can be a self contained story, but the story builds to a heart warming end. The visual descriptions made me feel like I was there or wanted to go there with Becca. My eight year old son also enjoyed the story. It's nice to sometimes read a story with relatable characters without the MC always being tossed in the middle of terrible situations. It is one that I will recommend to young readers.
January 4, 2011
A thoroughly delightful book for middle readers, that captures the spirit of summer life on an island. Has something of the quality of Tove Jansson. Warm, loving family relationships, adventures that are fun without being scary. Just lovely - and I'm not just saying that because the author is a good friend of mine!
February 10, 2014
This not quite coming of age story (Becca isn't really old enough to come of age, but it reads like that) is quietly effective. It chronicles several visits Becca makes, alone and with various other family members, to her grandmother's home on a remote island in the Pacific Northwest over the course of a year. There are no tragedies; there are vignettes - some annoyances, some delights.
November 26, 2011
I felt that development of characters and the adventures was lacking in the book. In addition the "adventures" weren't that engaging which I think had more to do with the pacing than the content. It had potential, but just never quite came through.
October 29, 2007
Wonderful, warm family story, with shades of Patricia MacLachlan and Polly Horvath. I especially loved Aunt Fifi and the blackberry jelly!
April 15, 2008
I really enjoyed this book. It reminded me of books I read as a child. I wish my summers were as busy/interesting as Becca's summers.
March 13, 2011
Not really a strong plot, in a different mood I might have enjoyed it more.
Rated PG for language.
Rated PG for language.
June 5, 2010
I love this book! I recommend reading while listening to Enchantment (By Yanni). It adds a lot to the story. Good job Deirdre!
December 27, 2012
Love the descriptions of place especially the blackberry picking and making jam. I want to go to this island every summer too.
July 5, 2013
Gorgeous description
April 6, 2016
Probably 3.5. I liked the concept but I found the writing just okay.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews