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Kaya of the Ocean
Anxious thirteen-year-old Kaya has always been afraid of everything—but when she learns she is the descendant of a Chinese water goddess, she’ll have to master herself to master her powers!
"Hand to readers of the 'Rick Riordan Presents' series, and tell them this is even better."—School Library Journal, Starred Review
On the surface, thirteen-year-old Kaya leads a charmed life. She lives in beautiful, beachy Lihiwai. She has ride-or-die best friends. She’s ultrasmart and killing it at school. She even works with a super-cute boy at her parents’ restaurant.
But she also has anxiety—serious anxiety, the kind that makes you scratch and pick—and she’s always had bad luck around the ocean. It’s hard to enjoy Hawaiian beaches when you’ve almost drowned more than once.
But as stranger and stranger things happen to Kaya around the sea, she realizes that—wanted or not—she has a special connection to it. Waves rise when she’s angry. Surf smooths when she’s calm. Fish come when she calls them. And when she learns the truth about her family and her divine ancestor, Mazu, she knows that she will need to connect with her most difficult emotions ASAP—or her potent powers may become dangerous to the people she loves.
Kaya of the Ocean is an exciting, fresh, and beautiful middle-grade fantasy about embracing who you really are. This heartfelt adventure of sun, surf, and sand touches on mental health, the immigrant experience, and the complexities of growing up.
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
An ABA Indies Introduce Selection
"[A] fantastical debut."—Kirkus Reviews
"Hand to readers of the 'Rick Riordan Presents' series, and tell them this is even better."—School Library Journal, Starred Review
On the surface, thirteen-year-old Kaya leads a charmed life. She lives in beautiful, beachy Lihiwai. She has ride-or-die best friends. She’s ultrasmart and killing it at school. She even works with a super-cute boy at her parents’ restaurant.
But she also has anxiety—serious anxiety, the kind that makes you scratch and pick—and she’s always had bad luck around the ocean. It’s hard to enjoy Hawaiian beaches when you’ve almost drowned more than once.
But as stranger and stranger things happen to Kaya around the sea, she realizes that—wanted or not—she has a special connection to it. Waves rise when she’s angry. Surf smooths when she’s calm. Fish come when she calls them. And when she learns the truth about her family and her divine ancestor, Mazu, she knows that she will need to connect with her most difficult emotions ASAP—or her potent powers may become dangerous to the people she loves.
Kaya of the Ocean is an exciting, fresh, and beautiful middle-grade fantasy about embracing who you really are. This heartfelt adventure of sun, surf, and sand touches on mental health, the immigrant experience, and the complexities of growing up.
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
An ABA Indies Introduce Selection
"[A] fantastical debut."—Kirkus Reviews
256 pages, Hardcover
Published January 7, 2025
7 people are currently reading
2874 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
August 9, 2025
This book felt very hodgepodge to me. The pacing was very rushed and the only character with any substance is Kaya herself. There is no explanation of her family’s relationship to Mazu, and the little revelation at the end was not helpful.
I thought the cousin coming to visit would push the plot somehow but it really didn’t. The character of the cousin felt very unnecessary, only used for the climax scene. Also I did NOT understand why Anne was so hot and cold. It was really inexplicable. And the part at the end where Anne reveals they came to visit because of a bullying incident just seems thrown in there.
A big thing that bothered me is that there is almost no connection to Kaya’s Chinese culture, or her Hawaiian culture other than surfing sometimes. I figured that if she’s related to a Chinese goddess she might want to learn more about that culture, but no. She just wants to learn about her powers, which has nothing to do with Chinese culture. And WHY is the symbol of this goddess a LITERAL WET BLANKET!? Couldn’t it be like a mystical hairpin or ancient silk fan. Literally please anything else. A WET BLANKET.
The one thing I felt was done sort of right was the representation of Kaya’s anxiety disorder. This is the first time I’ve read something so vocal about the physical toll that anxiety can have on the body. Kaya struggles with a skin-picking/scratching method of coping, which is actually quite common in anxiety disorders but I feel is never discussed. And the visualization of her spiraling thoughts was written actually perfectly in my opinion. BUT. But. The solution and the “help” she gets is not even help. Kaya mentions that years ago she asked to go to a therapist and her parents said she just needs to eat better and sleep more. Well at the end of this book she finally takes a chance and opens up to her parents about her anxiety and they still don’t take her to a professional!!! They just say “we’re always here to listen” or some vague placation that is totally not an actual helpful solution.
Final thing. Kaya is 13 here. Why do her powers suddenly awaken? Is it puberty related? Is it trauma related? Never explained. And it’s really written more in an upper-elementary style than middle grade. There’s a glaring lack of direction in this book and a neglectful lack of connection.
I thought the cousin coming to visit would push the plot somehow but it really didn’t. The character of the cousin felt very unnecessary, only used for the climax scene. Also I did NOT understand why Anne was so hot and cold. It was really inexplicable. And the part at the end where Anne reveals they came to visit because of a bullying incident just seems thrown in there.
A big thing that bothered me is that there is almost no connection to Kaya’s Chinese culture, or her Hawaiian culture other than surfing sometimes. I figured that if she’s related to a Chinese goddess she might want to learn more about that culture, but no. She just wants to learn about her powers, which has nothing to do with Chinese culture. And WHY is the symbol of this goddess a LITERAL WET BLANKET!? Couldn’t it be like a mystical hairpin or ancient silk fan. Literally please anything else. A WET BLANKET.
The one thing I felt was done sort of right was the representation of Kaya’s anxiety disorder. This is the first time I’ve read something so vocal about the physical toll that anxiety can have on the body. Kaya struggles with a skin-picking/scratching method of coping, which is actually quite common in anxiety disorders but I feel is never discussed. And the visualization of her spiraling thoughts was written actually perfectly in my opinion. BUT. But. The solution and the “help” she gets is not even help. Kaya mentions that years ago she asked to go to a therapist and her parents said she just needs to eat better and sleep more. Well at the end of this book she finally takes a chance and opens up to her parents about her anxiety and they still don’t take her to a professional!!! They just say “we’re always here to listen” or some vague placation that is totally not an actual helpful solution.
Final thing. Kaya is 13 here. Why do her powers suddenly awaken? Is it puberty related? Is it trauma related? Never explained. And it’s really written more in an upper-elementary style than middle grade. There’s a glaring lack of direction in this book and a neglectful lack of connection.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 26, 2025
Words can't describe how much I adore this book. Not only are the descriptions and the characters so carefully handled, but the story itself is so endearing. Really beautifully written debut. I can think of a few middle grade readers who would really enjoy this book. It will make such a good gift!
January 7, 2025
“To discover who you really are—that is beautiful.”
I'd like to thank Beth Parker PR and Holiday House for sending me an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
I've also posted this review on Instagram and my blog.
Instagram Post
Blog Post
Content Warnings: anxiety, panic attacks
I loved the setting of this book! The writing instantly connected me to beautiful beaches and sun-filled days while also exploring more serious topics like the danger of the ocean. The plot was intriguing and I especially liked learning more about Chinese mythology and the legend of the water goddess. There were also a few scenes that took place in the past which further added to the intrigue. However, I wish that the end was a bit more drawn out. I really enjoyed reading about Kaya. We get to see her learn more about her family's history and her fear of water while testing her new powers. Kaya struggles with anxiety which I thought was well represented in this book. It also explores how this impacts her relationships with her friends and family which was a great addition. All in all, a fun read, I enjoyed seeing Kaya grow and learn what it truly means to be confident in yourself.
I'd like to thank Beth Parker PR and Holiday House for sending me an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
I've also posted this review on Instagram and my blog.
Instagram Post
Blog Post
Content Warnings: anxiety, panic attacks
I loved the setting of this book! The writing instantly connected me to beautiful beaches and sun-filled days while also exploring more serious topics like the danger of the ocean. The plot was intriguing and I especially liked learning more about Chinese mythology and the legend of the water goddess. There were also a few scenes that took place in the past which further added to the intrigue. However, I wish that the end was a bit more drawn out. I really enjoyed reading about Kaya. We get to see her learn more about her family's history and her fear of water while testing her new powers. Kaya struggles with anxiety which I thought was well represented in this book. It also explores how this impacts her relationships with her friends and family which was a great addition. All in all, a fun read, I enjoyed seeing Kaya grow and learn what it truly means to be confident in yourself.
January 25, 2025
This book reminded me why I so rarely read middle grade.. because they make me SOB.
This book was truly a wonderful read. The mc Kaya has really intense anxiety (that reads with a twinge of autism or OCD sometimes) and it’s handled with such care and also dedication. This book also discusses being the daughter of immigrants as both of Kaya’s parents are Chinese immigrants living in Hawaii.
This book really just touched my heart it made me cry multiple times from how sweet but also how raw and real it was. It dove into some pretty intense themes for a middle grade but everything was so well done. I highly recommend for readers of all ages!
This book was truly a wonderful read. The mc Kaya has really intense anxiety (that reads with a twinge of autism or OCD sometimes) and it’s handled with such care and also dedication. This book also discusses being the daughter of immigrants as both of Kaya’s parents are Chinese immigrants living in Hawaii.
This book really just touched my heart it made me cry multiple times from how sweet but also how raw and real it was. It dove into some pretty intense themes for a middle grade but everything was so well done. I highly recommend for readers of all ages!
February 1, 2025
A great middle grade read. Huang treats Kaya's anxiety with such care and attention. I know several kids in my own life dealing with similar things who would feel so seen by this story. Not to mention there's adventure, mystery, and elements of fantasy as well. What more could you want in a middle grade story?
September 12, 2024
E ARC provided by Edelweiss
Kaya Song lives in Hawaii, but has never felt comfortable with the ocean. She has always felt like the water wanted to drown her, and she's seen a small girl in the water that no one else can see. It doesn't help that her parents, who immigrated from China and Taiwan, are very busy with their restaurant, and don't take Kaya's anxieties seriously, even though she sometimes scratches her arms raw. When her best friends Naomi and Iolana want to go surfing, she feels that she needs to tag along. There's a whole group of kids who want to go surfing at a "secret" cove, and Kaya tries her best to keep up. A boy from school, Taiyo, rides the "baby" waves with her, and she starts to have a good time... until she thinks she sees a giant tuna rise up out of the water and knock Taiyo off his board. Even though she is panicked, she helps to save him, and when she is trying to figure out how to help him, feels like she somehow forces the water out of his body without even touching him. Shaken, she tries to control water with her mind at home, but doesn't know what to make of her abilities. There's plenty else going on, and this distracts her for a while. Her Aunt Sienna and cousin Anne are visiting for Christmas from New York, but Anne has become more of a picky teenager and isn't fun to have around. Kaya tries to include her in activities with her friends, but doesn't enjoy the fact that Anne is unpleasant about Chinese food and won't respect Kaya's attempts to keep her room clean and germfree. Kaya's father does approach her about her anxiety a little-- se's also worried about the restaurant-- and shares some family history with her. This helps a little, but when she sees Anne with some of her friends at a beach party, she gets angry and accidentally causes a wave to pull Anne under. Her cousin ends up in the hospital. Aunt Sienna isn't angry, but tells Kaya that their family has always been associated with the Water Goddess; the family restaurant even goes by this name to honor a great Aunt, Shanhu, who drowned when she was young... and is the girl who Kaya sometimes sees! Her aunt is interrupted, but suggests a book that might shed some light on all of the history. Kaya finally entrusts her friends with her worries, and the three go to the library to research. Will Kaya be able to figure out her family's secret, and to finally get the help with her anxiety that she needs?
Strengths: It's interesting to see limpses of the girls in Kaya's family from different points of history; these go all the way back to 1629! My favorite was Yujin, in San Francisco in 1876. This was a good mix of friend and family problems, magic, and the ever popular topic of figuring out one's own place in the world as a tween. It's realistic that Kaya has to come home alone, and also realistic that this doesn't help her anxiety. Her aunt knows the information that Kaya needs, but doesn't quite understand at first that Kaya does need it because she is dealing with Anne, who is having friend problems of her own! The Hawaii setting will appeal to children who like to find out about life in areas of the world that might not be just like where they live; I can't imagine being able to surf anywhere near my house! The cover is bright and appealing, so readers will be eager to pick this up.
Weaknesses: While this had some interesting, culturally related history and folklore, Kaya didn't really get to use her magic much. It was tied in to her anxiety, and felt more allegorical.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoyed the mix of nascent powers and real life drama in Kelkar's The Cobra's Song or Villanueva's Lulu Sinagtala and the City of Noble Warriors
Kaya Song lives in Hawaii, but has never felt comfortable with the ocean. She has always felt like the water wanted to drown her, and she's seen a small girl in the water that no one else can see. It doesn't help that her parents, who immigrated from China and Taiwan, are very busy with their restaurant, and don't take Kaya's anxieties seriously, even though she sometimes scratches her arms raw. When her best friends Naomi and Iolana want to go surfing, she feels that she needs to tag along. There's a whole group of kids who want to go surfing at a "secret" cove, and Kaya tries her best to keep up. A boy from school, Taiyo, rides the "baby" waves with her, and she starts to have a good time... until she thinks she sees a giant tuna rise up out of the water and knock Taiyo off his board. Even though she is panicked, she helps to save him, and when she is trying to figure out how to help him, feels like she somehow forces the water out of his body without even touching him. Shaken, she tries to control water with her mind at home, but doesn't know what to make of her abilities. There's plenty else going on, and this distracts her for a while. Her Aunt Sienna and cousin Anne are visiting for Christmas from New York, but Anne has become more of a picky teenager and isn't fun to have around. Kaya tries to include her in activities with her friends, but doesn't enjoy the fact that Anne is unpleasant about Chinese food and won't respect Kaya's attempts to keep her room clean and germfree. Kaya's father does approach her about her anxiety a little-- se's also worried about the restaurant-- and shares some family history with her. This helps a little, but when she sees Anne with some of her friends at a beach party, she gets angry and accidentally causes a wave to pull Anne under. Her cousin ends up in the hospital. Aunt Sienna isn't angry, but tells Kaya that their family has always been associated with the Water Goddess; the family restaurant even goes by this name to honor a great Aunt, Shanhu, who drowned when she was young... and is the girl who Kaya sometimes sees! Her aunt is interrupted, but suggests a book that might shed some light on all of the history. Kaya finally entrusts her friends with her worries, and the three go to the library to research. Will Kaya be able to figure out her family's secret, and to finally get the help with her anxiety that she needs?
Strengths: It's interesting to see limpses of the girls in Kaya's family from different points of history; these go all the way back to 1629! My favorite was Yujin, in San Francisco in 1876. This was a good mix of friend and family problems, magic, and the ever popular topic of figuring out one's own place in the world as a tween. It's realistic that Kaya has to come home alone, and also realistic that this doesn't help her anxiety. Her aunt knows the information that Kaya needs, but doesn't quite understand at first that Kaya does need it because she is dealing with Anne, who is having friend problems of her own! The Hawaii setting will appeal to children who like to find out about life in areas of the world that might not be just like where they live; I can't imagine being able to surf anywhere near my house! The cover is bright and appealing, so readers will be eager to pick this up.
Weaknesses: While this had some interesting, culturally related history and folklore, Kaya didn't really get to use her magic much. It was tied in to her anxiety, and felt more allegorical.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoyed the mix of nascent powers and real life drama in Kelkar's The Cobra's Song or Villanueva's Lulu Sinagtala and the City of Noble Warriors
October 23, 2024
Whispers of legends and magic glide into problems of anxiety, family and friends in an engaging read.
Kaya lives in Hawaii and enjoys hanging around her friends, but mostly reading her books. Not only does it help her breeze through school, but reading offers her an excuse to avoid the water. Because nothing scares her like water, which really doesn't work when a person lives in Hawaii. But her fear has a reason. The ocean calls to her and seems to want her drag her into it. When her friends finally are able to coax her to try surfing, she decides it's time to overcome her fear. The result isn't exactly what she expected.
The description I just gave doesn't actually do this book justice, but only is the beginning of a multi-layered read. Kaya has a lot to deal with. She suffers from anxiety not only due to her fear of water, but her parents seem to offer little support as they are seldom there due to the restaurant they run. While Kaya does her best to help out with the business and manages to hold great grades at school, she still suffers as she often finds herself coming home to an empty house. This, unfortunately, doesn't help her anxiety issues. Add the usual hurdles friends and classmates bring as well as family struggles, and there is quite a bit of junior high drama.
The magic adds a touch of fantasy like a light sweetness to the tween drama. Kaya's family are descendants of a divine woman named Mazu, a secret which her aunt keeps from her until a Kaya almost kills someone with her powers. This holding back of information hit a bit odd, but opens up the door for discovery as Kaya learns more about her family and herself. The various, magic-wielding ancestors in her family are woven in with glimpses into history, which added a nice dimension to the tale. While there is magic, it is kept fairly light, and Kaya doesn't use it more than a few times...which was a bit light but does keep it from heading too deep into fantasy.
Add the inviting setting in Hawaii as well as a few cultural nods, and these pages hold quite a few various aspects. While magic fans might wish for more fantastical moments, those who enjoy tween problems surrounding family, friends, and finding a space for ones self are sure to enjoy the mix.
Kaya lives in Hawaii and enjoys hanging around her friends, but mostly reading her books. Not only does it help her breeze through school, but reading offers her an excuse to avoid the water. Because nothing scares her like water, which really doesn't work when a person lives in Hawaii. But her fear has a reason. The ocean calls to her and seems to want her drag her into it. When her friends finally are able to coax her to try surfing, she decides it's time to overcome her fear. The result isn't exactly what she expected.
The description I just gave doesn't actually do this book justice, but only is the beginning of a multi-layered read. Kaya has a lot to deal with. She suffers from anxiety not only due to her fear of water, but her parents seem to offer little support as they are seldom there due to the restaurant they run. While Kaya does her best to help out with the business and manages to hold great grades at school, she still suffers as she often finds herself coming home to an empty house. This, unfortunately, doesn't help her anxiety issues. Add the usual hurdles friends and classmates bring as well as family struggles, and there is quite a bit of junior high drama.
The magic adds a touch of fantasy like a light sweetness to the tween drama. Kaya's family are descendants of a divine woman named Mazu, a secret which her aunt keeps from her until a Kaya almost kills someone with her powers. This holding back of information hit a bit odd, but opens up the door for discovery as Kaya learns more about her family and herself. The various, magic-wielding ancestors in her family are woven in with glimpses into history, which added a nice dimension to the tale. While there is magic, it is kept fairly light, and Kaya doesn't use it more than a few times...which was a bit light but does keep it from heading too deep into fantasy.
Add the inviting setting in Hawaii as well as a few cultural nods, and these pages hold quite a few various aspects. While magic fans might wish for more fantastical moments, those who enjoy tween problems surrounding family, friends, and finding a space for ones self are sure to enjoy the mix.
August 12, 2025
Kaya of the Ocean combines the lush beauty of Hawaii with Chinese mythology and a strong dose of coming of age angst. Kaya, the daughter of Chinese immigrants, struggles with severe anxiety. But after an early attempt at getting help from her parents failed, she's kept that struggle to herself, coping by scratching where no once can see the damage, and finding solace in her closet. Things take a turn for the worse when a strange event while surfing throws Kaya into a tailspin. Did she really call a tunafish that knocked a friend off his board? Did she really manage to control the ocean waves long enough to get him to shore? And did she really pull the water from his lungs to save him from drowning? She doesn't want to believe she has water powers, especially since she isn't all that fond of surfing or being in the water, going back to a traumatic event in her childhood and ongoing visions of a young girl reaching for a white blanket.
As Kaya struggles with her growing anxiety and these new questions about herself, she does manage to help her parents at their restaurant and hanging out with her best friends, Iolana and Naomi. But the arrival of her aunt and cousin brings things to a head as Kaya must share her room with her cousin, who used to be a friend, but now seems rude and standoffish. Glimpses into the lives of some of her ancestors leads readers to discover (long before Kaya does) that Kaya has connections to the Chinese Water Goddess, Mazu. As the pressure inside her builds, Kaya must find a way to cope with her anxiety and her growing powers, but can she really do it all alone?
Kaya's struggles really touched my heart. It was truly heart-breaking to read about her anxious thoughts and personal struggles. The magical elements provide an interesting plot point, but the true strength of the book lies in Kaya's changing relationships with the people in her life and how they help her, once she lets them in on what's happening. The setting felt so real, I almost felt like I was there (I certainly wanted to be). An enjoyable, thoughtful look at the challenges of growing up, and what it might actually be like to have powers. Highly recommended.
As Kaya struggles with her growing anxiety and these new questions about herself, she does manage to help her parents at their restaurant and hanging out with her best friends, Iolana and Naomi. But the arrival of her aunt and cousin brings things to a head as Kaya must share her room with her cousin, who used to be a friend, but now seems rude and standoffish. Glimpses into the lives of some of her ancestors leads readers to discover (long before Kaya does) that Kaya has connections to the Chinese Water Goddess, Mazu. As the pressure inside her builds, Kaya must find a way to cope with her anxiety and her growing powers, but can she really do it all alone?
Kaya's struggles really touched my heart. It was truly heart-breaking to read about her anxious thoughts and personal struggles. The magical elements provide an interesting plot point, but the true strength of the book lies in Kaya's changing relationships with the people in her life and how they help her, once she lets them in on what's happening. The setting felt so real, I almost felt like I was there (I certainly wanted to be). An enjoyable, thoughtful look at the challenges of growing up, and what it might actually be like to have powers. Highly recommended.
May 13, 2025
2.5 stars
i initially bought the book because i found the concept really interesting. kaya, a 13 year old girl with severe anxiety, is the daughter of chinese immigrants to hawaii and may or may not have the power to control water. i thought this book was really endearing but also frustrating. i found a lot of the experiences the mc had with anxiety really hit the mark, due to my own experience. however:
- kaya's friends made me mad multiple times. one of them said something along the lines of "isn't it weird how stuff with kaya only happens when taiyo is around? lol is she doing this for attention" which i found stupid to say to your best friend but, whatever
- the dialogue between the main trio read as really uncomfortable and not fit for 13 year olds in like, 6th grade
- the narrative makes it seem like kaya is constantly in the wrong. she found out her cousin (who was acting weird around her friends when she introduced them to each other) was hanging out with them and yet she's basically told that "hey! you're acting unreasonable!"
- kaya's cousin, anne. that's it. she had her reasons for acting so sour. however, she tears down posters kaya cherished (when she tried to make kaya "better"), insults kaya's personal boundaries (told her to suck it up when kaya told her not to put her feet on kaya's pillow), etc...
overall a good read for getting through state testing but i feel the execution could've been better :o(
i initially bought the book because i found the concept really interesting. kaya, a 13 year old girl with severe anxiety, is the daughter of chinese immigrants to hawaii and may or may not have the power to control water. i thought this book was really endearing but also frustrating. i found a lot of the experiences the mc had with anxiety really hit the mark, due to my own experience. however:
- kaya's friends made me mad multiple times. one of them said something along the lines of "isn't it weird how stuff with kaya only happens when taiyo is around? lol is she doing this for attention" which i found stupid to say to your best friend but, whatever
- the dialogue between the main trio read as really uncomfortable and not fit for 13 year olds in like, 6th grade
- the narrative makes it seem like kaya is constantly in the wrong. she found out her cousin (who was acting weird around her friends when she introduced them to each other) was hanging out with them and yet she's basically told that "hey! you're acting unreasonable!"
- kaya's cousin, anne. that's it. she had her reasons for acting so sour. however, she tears down posters kaya cherished (when she tried to make kaya "better"), insults kaya's personal boundaries (told her to suck it up when kaya told her not to put her feet on kaya's pillow), etc...
overall a good read for getting through state testing but i feel the execution could've been better :o(
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
dnf
March 3, 2025DNF at about 33%.
I'm in the minority, but this was not working for me. A really big part of why is that the main character, who is narrating, is 13, but she does not sound 13. She used words that are super unlikely for a kid her age to be using (ex: glassine, recriminations, detritus, besieged) and it just sounded wrong. I also found some of the dialogue awkward (reading about kids flirting and calling each other "queen"), but that could be more of a me thing.
Kaya's friends didn't seem great. They looked down on her reading and pressure her to go surfing with them, then don't even spend anytime with her while they're surfing.
A kid nearly drowns (he appears unresponsive and water eventually gushes out of his mouth), but is almost immediately completely better.
I got the feeling the author wanted to write a young adult story, not a middle grade story.
At one point Kaya says "Aunt Sienna was beautiful, even now that she was in her forties."
It's realistic but still sucks that Kaya went to her parents about her anxiety and they brushed her off.
I liked the glimpses into the past, but it's a shame they're so short.
I'm in the minority, but this was not working for me. A really big part of why is that the main character, who is narrating, is 13, but she does not sound 13. She used words that are super unlikely for a kid her age to be using (ex: glassine, recriminations, detritus, besieged) and it just sounded wrong. I also found some of the dialogue awkward (reading about kids flirting and calling each other "queen"), but that could be more of a me thing.
Kaya's friends didn't seem great. They looked down on her reading and pressure her to go surfing with them, then don't even spend anytime with her while they're surfing.
A kid nearly drowns (he appears unresponsive and water eventually gushes out of his mouth), but is almost immediately completely better.
I got the feeling the author wanted to write a young adult story, not a middle grade story.
At one point Kaya says "Aunt Sienna was beautiful, even now that she was in her forties."
It's realistic but still sucks that Kaya went to her parents about her anxiety and they brushed her off.
I liked the glimpses into the past, but it's a shame they're so short.
March 24, 2025
"To discover who you are - that is beautiful."
Character; loveable, carefully written
Writing, Plot, and Setting; multi-layered, plot-driven, easy to read and follow, flows well, vivid descriptive beachy Hawaii (island) imagery, rushed
Content warning; anxiety, panic attacks, OCD (dermatillomania), identity, stereotypical Asian upbringing and parents, immigration
Recommended: if you enjoy, like (or are curious about) Chinese mythology/ folklore, mystery, magic, ancestral secrets, middle grade or tweens adventures/friendship/drama
I sincerely enjoyed it. Especially about Kaya's family being descendants of the water goddess ‘Mizu. Seeing Kaya discover and learn about her family/ancestral secrets and gifts passed down from generation, and the need to wield such power with care along with the responsibilities that come with it was such a moving journey. After having seen her struggling with holding the secret of what's happening to her as her powers grow, her parent's inability to balance prioritizing their livelihood and time for Kaya's emotional needs.
Unfortunately, we never saw Kaya fully utilizing her gift/power, her parents (especially her father) sharing the story about their ancestry history that he's always never wanted to talk about so she could blend easily and quickly as the daughter of immigrants and the immediate need for her mental health care.
Other than these which I wished should have drawn well-rounded satisfying conclusions to how multilayered the plot is... it was still an emotional and enjoyable middle-grade read
Character; loveable, carefully written
Writing, Plot, and Setting; multi-layered, plot-driven, easy to read and follow, flows well, vivid descriptive beachy Hawaii (island) imagery, rushed
Content warning; anxiety, panic attacks, OCD (dermatillomania), identity, stereotypical Asian upbringing and parents, immigration
Recommended: if you enjoy, like (or are curious about) Chinese mythology/ folklore, mystery, magic, ancestral secrets, middle grade or tweens adventures/friendship/drama
I sincerely enjoyed it. Especially about Kaya's family being descendants of the water goddess ‘Mizu. Seeing Kaya discover and learn about her family/ancestral secrets and gifts passed down from generation, and the need to wield such power with care along with the responsibilities that come with it was such a moving journey. After having seen her struggling with holding the secret of what's happening to her as her powers grow, her parent's inability to balance prioritizing their livelihood and time for Kaya's emotional needs.
Unfortunately, we never saw Kaya fully utilizing her gift/power, her parents (especially her father) sharing the story about their ancestry history that he's always never wanted to talk about so she could blend easily and quickly as the daughter of immigrants and the immediate need for her mental health care.
Other than these which I wished should have drawn well-rounded satisfying conclusions to how multilayered the plot is... it was still an emotional and enjoyable middle-grade read
August 31, 2025
Kaya lives on Lihiwai, Hawaii with her parents who insist she keep up good grades. Although she puts on a brave front to her two best friends and their group, Kaya always feels anxious, especially since she thinks she is hallucinating when she sees, time and again, a young child flying through the water chasing what appears to be a blanket. When Kaya's aunt and cousin visit, things come to a head--Kaya's aunt informs her that she is a daughter of Mazu, a water goddess, and that she has great powers that she must learn to channel in order to help people. Instead, in a moment of anger, she almost causes her cousin to drown, although she ultimately saves her. I found the ideas of the story intriguing and wish the pacing was consistently engaging.
March 24, 2025
A beautifully-written read for middle graders, but equally as enjoyable for adults! I read this with my 8-year-old and we both enjoyed Kaya's journey and how the story grappled with themes like anxiety and friendship. The writing is gorgeous and thoughtful and I adored the setting. I felt like I was right there in Hawaii with Kaya. I have an 8-year-old son and we read it together, but I also recommended it to my 11-year-old niece and think a reader her age would love it just as much!
Want to read
June 9, 2024"Anxious thirteen-year-old Kaya has always been afraid of everything—but when she learns she is the descendent of a Chinese water goddess, she’ll have to master herself to master her powers:
a magical cover for a magical-sounding book! can't wait
a magical cover for a magical-sounding book! can't wait
July 30, 2024
Different and interesting. Fun setting. Tried to do a bit too much tho.
March 12, 2025
3.75 rounded up to 4
April 5, 2025
This was a cute book. I enjoyed it very much.
May 29, 2025
4.5 stars*
October 9, 2025
I loved this book because I have always loved the ocean and it is just so good
October 28, 2025
Huang explores one anxious tween’s relationship with the sea and her Chinese ancestry in this fantastical debut set in Hawaii.
October 30, 2025
review to come
November 30, 2025
Read with my 8yo. This book helped foster discussion about her anxiety and comparing it to Kaya. Very engaging and fun middle grade read.
May 18, 2025
Thanks Gloria L. Huang/Holiday House/We Need Diverse Books for the gifted book.
As if navigating her tween years with serious anxiety wasn’t enough to deal with, Kaya begins experiencing strange things when she’s near the sea. The ocean has always brought her bad luck, including having almost drowned. When she finds out the truth about her connection to the water, she’s faced with some difficult emotions.
This was a great middle grade fantasy that explored mental health with care – especially within the context of the immigrant experience. Huang’s engaging writing brought me to Maui and swept me up in Kaya’s adventures as she learned about her ancestry. Kaya’s anxiety was depicted realistically and in a way for young readers to connect. In the end, I was left longing for a little bit more of the magical aspect. I’m curious what happens next for Kaya! Overall, I enjoyed this beautiful and emotional story and would recommend it.
Read if you’re interested in:
Stories of self-empowerment,
Immigrant experiences,
Mental health representation,
Chinese mythology,
Family and friendship dynamics,
A lighter dose of fantasy with some mystery wrapped in.
As if navigating her tween years with serious anxiety wasn’t enough to deal with, Kaya begins experiencing strange things when she’s near the sea. The ocean has always brought her bad luck, including having almost drowned. When she finds out the truth about her connection to the water, she’s faced with some difficult emotions.
This was a great middle grade fantasy that explored mental health with care – especially within the context of the immigrant experience. Huang’s engaging writing brought me to Maui and swept me up in Kaya’s adventures as she learned about her ancestry. Kaya’s anxiety was depicted realistically and in a way for young readers to connect. In the end, I was left longing for a little bit more of the magical aspect. I’m curious what happens next for Kaya! Overall, I enjoyed this beautiful and emotional story and would recommend it.
Read if you’re interested in:
Stories of self-empowerment,
Immigrant experiences,
Mental health representation,
Chinese mythology,
Family and friendship dynamics,
A lighter dose of fantasy with some mystery wrapped in.
January 8, 2025
I absolutely loved Kaya of the Ocean and I will say, right off the bat, that this book is one of the best middle grade books I have read! It is a beautiful blend of Chinese mythology and contemporary fiction, and it really illustrates the perfection of imperfection - where Kaya's anxiety plays a huge part in the book. I also especially enjoyed how the plot played out and how the author added in chapters told from different perspectives to show all the parts of the story. Overall, this book is beautiful and fantastical and I adore it! Would 100% recommend.
May 26, 2025
Kaya is a character that many readers will connect with: she struggles with meeting the expectations upon her, wants to be comfortable with who she is but also wants to fit in, and is trying to figure out herself while also just living her life. Her life is already a bit topsy-turvy when her cousin comes and visits and truly tips everything over and Kaya finds her mental health being negatively affected, and she feels like she has no one to go to. On top of that, she discovers she has some kind of magical powers which makes her feel even more disconnected from reality. Luckily for Kaya, the powers may be what can help her through this all.
In addition to the character development of Kaya and all that is affecting her, the author’s introduction to Chinese mythology will intrigue readers who are interested in world mythologies while also not ostracizing those who aren’t.
And oh, the setting is BEAUTIFUL and the author’s use of imagery takes the reader straight to Hawaii!
There is truly so much to talk about when it comes to this book: family, friendship, fears, anxiety, mythology, Hawaii, the ocean, and more!
Full review with educators' tools: https://www.unleashingreaders.com/28655
In addition to the character development of Kaya and all that is affecting her, the author’s introduction to Chinese mythology will intrigue readers who are interested in world mythologies while also not ostracizing those who aren’t.
And oh, the setting is BEAUTIFUL and the author’s use of imagery takes the reader straight to Hawaii!
There is truly so much to talk about when it comes to this book: family, friendship, fears, anxiety, mythology, Hawaii, the ocean, and more!
Full review with educators' tools: https://www.unleashingreaders.com/28655
January 4, 2026
Okay, where do I begin? I liked the first half of the book don't get me wrong, but the second half was so amazing. The author really nailed anne as a character, saying this because I really hated her until the end, and this just proves she was written so perfectly. And Kaya's friends were really supportive even if they did have their flaws. I legit cried while reading the last few chapters. 3 stars overall just because the first half didn't really hook my attention and its not that memorable. had a good time reading it tho!💗
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