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Shadows on the Sea
Shadows on the Sea
1942. The U.S. is at war with Germany. Fourteen-year-old Jill Winter's mother is traveling to Newfoundland and must pass through the treacherous North Atlantic, where German submarines -- U-boats -- stalk like wolves. Jill's father, a famous pop singer, is on tour, so Jill is sent to Winter Haven, Maine, to stay with Nana. Quarry, a local boy, says that "gossip ain't never been so good," and Jill soon discovers he's right -- Winter Haven is full of secrets and rumors. It seems everyone has something to hide -- even Nana! Jill doesn't know whom to trust, and she's worried for her mother's safety. And things get even worse when she finds a wounded carrier pigeon with a coded message attached to its leg. Jill is determined to get to the bottom of all these mysteries, but when she uncovers the biggest secret of all, she finds herself in grave danger -- and must run for her life!
244 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
February 8, 2022
5 stars & 5/10 hearts. Wow! What an unusual WWII book, and an unusual YA book!
I haven’t read many—if any—books set in Maine, but I found this a delicious setting! I loved the old-time, small-town feel of the book mixed with the wind-swept, sea-battered coast-y vibes. The writing style was fantastic, so beautiful and simple. <3
The characters were interesting. I liked how realistic Jill was—definitely a 14-year-old. I was impressed by how mature and well-behaved she was for a YA book. While there were moments when she thought complainingly of her parents’ dress code, their refusal to take her with them, and her seclusion in Nana’s town, she quickly got over it or repented. Although she played grown up in the train, she acted much more simply and childlike in the town, and I was delighted by how much she loved her family and friends, and how respectful she was towards adults. I also really appreciated that she really hated lying and almost never did it (if she ever did) and that she tried to order her life by the rule of the three monkeys: see no evil, hear no evil, think no evil. Quarry was a sweet, humorous kid. I liked how talkative he was and how he learned to keep his tongue still. He was a good friend to Jill & Wendy. Wendy was fascinating, and I couldn’t help feeling very, very sorry for her. Nana was a lovely grandmother, but not the stereotypical plump, white-haired, sweet-smiling kind—just a bustling, loving, wise, plain woman. And Adrie was as fascinating as Wendy, although I didn’t love her.
I enjoyed how the plot kept the typical “kids figuring out the mystery alone” but without the “let’s not let the adults meddle” attitude, but a “I don’t know if I'm right and I don’t want to falsely accuse anyone or cause trouble, so I’ll try to see how much I can figure out myself.” There was a good mix of suspense and calm, and although I suspected the bad guys early on, I was just as confused as Jill before long, and didn’t quite peg out exactly what was happening! It definitely kept my attention all the way through, and the ending was perfect. Although this was a secular book, I appreciated the message: don’t let fear control you and your thoughts go crazy; love your loved ones hard and never say anything you wouldn’t want to be your last word to them; go to the wiser ones with perplexities instead of stewing over them yourself… and chose your friends well. Overall, this was a great WWII book and I cannot wait to read more by this author! It was a good mix of slice-of-life plus adventure, I though, and it definitely made me nostalgic… I wanted to be a fourteen-year-old riding my bike in the sunshine with friends and playing along the beach and bringing all my troubles to the adults… <3
Content: A girl is whispered to be illegitimate and it’s a slightly important part of the plot, although undetailed. Jill wears pants and halter tops and thinks briefly of how her parents wouldn’t approve, but choses to wear them anyways because its stylish (and her Nana approves). May have contained some language. Brief talk of wishing upon a star. Mention that Nana doesn’t go to church (although she does pray and Jill does too). Jill is taken to the clambake as a date with an older boy & they dance.
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: Beyond the rocky coast the Atlantic Ocean sparkled in the sunlight and its colors shifted from deep sapphire blue to smoky shades of green and gray.
I haven’t read many—if any—books set in Maine, but I found this a delicious setting! I loved the old-time, small-town feel of the book mixed with the wind-swept, sea-battered coast-y vibes. The writing style was fantastic, so beautiful and simple. <3
The characters were interesting. I liked how realistic Jill was—definitely a 14-year-old. I was impressed by how mature and well-behaved she was for a YA book. While there were moments when she thought complainingly of her parents’ dress code, their refusal to take her with them, and her seclusion in Nana’s town, she quickly got over it or repented. Although she played grown up in the train, she acted much more simply and childlike in the town, and I was delighted by how much she loved her family and friends, and how respectful she was towards adults. I also really appreciated that she really hated lying and almost never did it (if she ever did) and that she tried to order her life by the rule of the three monkeys: see no evil, hear no evil, think no evil. Quarry was a sweet, humorous kid. I liked how talkative he was and how he learned to keep his tongue still. He was a good friend to Jill & Wendy. Wendy was fascinating, and I couldn’t help feeling very, very sorry for her. Nana was a lovely grandmother, but not the stereotypical plump, white-haired, sweet-smiling kind—just a bustling, loving, wise, plain woman. And Adrie was as fascinating as Wendy, although I didn’t love her.
I enjoyed how the plot kept the typical “kids figuring out the mystery alone” but without the “let’s not let the adults meddle” attitude, but a “I don’t know if I'm right and I don’t want to falsely accuse anyone or cause trouble, so I’ll try to see how much I can figure out myself.” There was a good mix of suspense and calm, and although I suspected the bad guys early on, I was just as confused as Jill before long, and didn’t quite peg out exactly what was happening! It definitely kept my attention all the way through, and the ending was perfect. Although this was a secular book, I appreciated the message: don’t let fear control you and your thoughts go crazy; love your loved ones hard and never say anything you wouldn’t want to be your last word to them; go to the wiser ones with perplexities instead of stewing over them yourself… and chose your friends well. Overall, this was a great WWII book and I cannot wait to read more by this author! It was a good mix of slice-of-life plus adventure, I though, and it definitely made me nostalgic… I wanted to be a fourteen-year-old riding my bike in the sunshine with friends and playing along the beach and bringing all my troubles to the adults… <3
Content: A girl is whispered to be illegitimate and it’s a slightly important part of the plot, although undetailed. Jill wears pants and halter tops and thinks briefly of how her parents wouldn’t approve, but choses to wear them anyways because its stylish (and her Nana approves). May have contained some language. Brief talk of wishing upon a star. Mention that Nana doesn’t go to church (although she does pray and Jill does too). Jill is taken to the clambake as a date with an older boy & they dance.
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: Beyond the rocky coast the Atlantic Ocean sparkled in the sunlight and its colors shifted from deep sapphire blue to smoky shades of green and gray.
August 13, 2014
This story was quite a disappointment. The title and the cover were certainly diverting and looked very interesting, but it turned out to be not so grand as I hoped.
If it weren't for the wonderful historical facts scattered about its pages, I might have put it down. It is a little difficult to understand why Mrs. Harlow won so many awards, aside from her historical knowledge. Historical knowledge is just not enough to write a compelling novel.
Parts of the story were very beautiful and descriptive, and it did help when I discovered at the end that some things were based on actual events. But when Mrs. Harlow said some of it was based on her life personally, I kind of got that idea that perhaps she was trying to draw attnetion to herself by making her main character, Jill Winters, look good and be the victim of snobby girls, hateful friends, etc., and the heroine of the day. But perhaps not. :)
Jill was a nice character, but a little too nice, and a little too good at times. Quarry McDonald was the only REAL interesting character, but I still found it strange that a sixteen year old boy would want to hang out with two fourteen year old girls.
Jill Winters and Wendy Taylor seemed to be two modern girls dressed in 1940's clothing.
If it weren't for the wonderful historical facts scattered about its pages, I might have put it down. It is a little difficult to understand why Mrs. Harlow won so many awards, aside from her historical knowledge. Historical knowledge is just not enough to write a compelling novel.
Parts of the story were very beautiful and descriptive, and it did help when I discovered at the end that some things were based on actual events. But when Mrs. Harlow said some of it was based on her life personally, I kind of got that idea that perhaps she was trying to draw attnetion to herself by making her main character, Jill Winters, look good and be the victim of snobby girls, hateful friends, etc., and the heroine of the day. But perhaps not. :)
Jill was a nice character, but a little too nice, and a little too good at times. Quarry McDonald was the only REAL interesting character, but I still found it strange that a sixteen year old boy would want to hang out with two fourteen year old girls.
Jill Winters and Wendy Taylor seemed to be two modern girls dressed in 1940's clothing.
February 19, 2019
This book was amazing!!! It was all about a girl who was staying with her grandma and world war 2 was happening. She finds out that her friends mom and someone else are working with the German. I recommend this book to any one who likes adventure, and mysteries.
April 28, 2008
i would perfer this book because it is during the war and itis scary because you do not know what will happen next!!!!!!!!!!
January 10, 2012
I had to read this book for a novel in sixth grade and I fell in love with it. The fear that Jill has for her mother traveling overseas during World War II is real, yet you can tell she's trying not to worry and enjoy herself in the town of Winter Haven, Maine. When she meets some people, she is afraid of them, such as Adrie Dekker and Clayton Bishop, and she makes friends with others, such as Wendy Taylor and Quarry MacDonald. But her father, being a famous singer, is traveling as well, and with all the gossip, she worries for both her parents: her father is in danger from saboteurs, and her mother is in danger from the U-boats. While on the widow's walk of her grandmother's house, Jill sees a strange shadow on the sea, and wonders what it is, but it is gone before she can get another look at it.
Jill tries to settle in Winter Haven, but it isn't easy. One day, Jill finds a pigeon, wounded and takes it in to take care of it. A cylinder is attatched to it's leg, And when she opens it, she finds a piece of paper bearing the message "Sonnabend iv," which is some sort of message to a German ally on shore. When Jill and Quarry release the bird once it's well enough to fly, it goes straight to Clayton Bishop's house, where Jill had noticed a coup of pigeons. But Jill's troubles don't just deal with Nazi spies. A group of ladies, the Crystals, wish for Jill to join their group, since her father is the famous singer Drew Winters. However, when Jill brings Wendy, their friendship takes a turn for the worse. The Crystals snub Wendy, and it turns out that Adrie Dekker, previously thought to be Wendy's aunt, is really Wendy's mother! With this secret brought to light, Jill becomes suspicious of everyone, even her grandmother, who doesn't tell anyone what she does every Sunday night. One of her grandmother's friends is also German, which adds suspicion. During the annual Fourth of July clambake, it is revealed that the son of one of the residents of Winter Haven was killed in action, and Jill, who had come with Quarry, decides that they should go home. However, she spots Adrie's car by Clayton's house and wonders what's going on. When the two go into the woods, Jill follows them. She spies on them on a cliff, and it is there that she sees U-1230 emerge from the water and two men come ashore. Adrie and Clayton are German sympathizers! Jill tries to escape on her bike, but she is spotted by Adrie and chased by Clayton. When she locks him out of the widow's walk, he attempts to get up after her, but when Quarry calls, Clayton leaves, but not after throwing the bolt to the widow's walkon the inside of the house, trapping Jill up there. Using a flashlight that Quarry had given her when they left the clambake, she signals SOS to his house, but the battery runs out after a while. Fortunately, however, Quarry had looked in the right direction, let his father know everything, and his father had contacted Jill's grandmother and the police.
Jill related her entire tale to the police and the searched for Adrie, Wendy, Clayton, and the two Germans who had come ashore, but nothing could be found of any of them. Jill returns to worrying about her mother's safety. As she passes by Clayton's old house, she sees members of the army loading the abandoned pigeons into their truck, planning to use the pigeons for their own uses.
I won't spoil the ending for you, but I think this is a great wartime novel and I loved it.
Jill tries to settle in Winter Haven, but it isn't easy. One day, Jill finds a pigeon, wounded and takes it in to take care of it. A cylinder is attatched to it's leg, And when she opens it, she finds a piece of paper bearing the message "Sonnabend iv," which is some sort of message to a German ally on shore. When Jill and Quarry release the bird once it's well enough to fly, it goes straight to Clayton Bishop's house, where Jill had noticed a coup of pigeons. But Jill's troubles don't just deal with Nazi spies. A group of ladies, the Crystals, wish for Jill to join their group, since her father is the famous singer Drew Winters. However, when Jill brings Wendy, their friendship takes a turn for the worse. The Crystals snub Wendy, and it turns out that Adrie Dekker, previously thought to be Wendy's aunt, is really Wendy's mother! With this secret brought to light, Jill becomes suspicious of everyone, even her grandmother, who doesn't tell anyone what she does every Sunday night. One of her grandmother's friends is also German, which adds suspicion. During the annual Fourth of July clambake, it is revealed that the son of one of the residents of Winter Haven was killed in action, and Jill, who had come with Quarry, decides that they should go home. However, she spots Adrie's car by Clayton's house and wonders what's going on. When the two go into the woods, Jill follows them. She spies on them on a cliff, and it is there that she sees U-1230 emerge from the water and two men come ashore. Adrie and Clayton are German sympathizers! Jill tries to escape on her bike, but she is spotted by Adrie and chased by Clayton. When she locks him out of the widow's walk, he attempts to get up after her, but when Quarry calls, Clayton leaves, but not after throwing the bolt to the widow's walkon the inside of the house, trapping Jill up there. Using a flashlight that Quarry had given her when they left the clambake, she signals SOS to his house, but the battery runs out after a while. Fortunately, however, Quarry had looked in the right direction, let his father know everything, and his father had contacted Jill's grandmother and the police.
Jill related her entire tale to the police and the searched for Adrie, Wendy, Clayton, and the two Germans who had come ashore, but nothing could be found of any of them. Jill returns to worrying about her mother's safety. As she passes by Clayton's old house, she sees members of the army loading the abandoned pigeons into their truck, planning to use the pigeons for their own uses.
I won't spoil the ending for you, but I think this is a great wartime novel and I loved it.
January 24, 2010
kids in Maine and German subs offshore carrying spies.smalltown life during war.
The U.S. is at war with Germany. Fourteen-year-old Jill Winter's mother is traveling to Newfoundland and must pass through the treacherous North Atlantic, where German submarines -- U-boats -- stalk like wolves. Jill's father, a famous pop singer, is on tour, so Jill is sent to Winter Haven, Maine, to stay with Nana.
Quarry, a local boy, says that "gossip ain't never been so good," and Jill soon discovers he's right -- Winter Haven is full of secrets and rumors. It seems everyone has something to hide -- even Nana! Jill doesn't know whom to trust, and she's worried for her mother's safety. And things get even worse when she finds a wounded carrier pigeon with a coded message attached to its leg.
The U.S. is at war with Germany. Fourteen-year-old Jill Winter's mother is traveling to Newfoundland and must pass through the treacherous North Atlantic, where German submarines -- U-boats -- stalk like wolves. Jill's father, a famous pop singer, is on tour, so Jill is sent to Winter Haven, Maine, to stay with Nana.
Quarry, a local boy, says that "gossip ain't never been so good," and Jill soon discovers he's right -- Winter Haven is full of secrets and rumors. It seems everyone has something to hide -- even Nana! Jill doesn't know whom to trust, and she's worried for her mother's safety. And things get even worse when she finds a wounded carrier pigeon with a coded message attached to its leg.
August 10, 2016
Jill Winters, 14, has been sent to stay with her grandmother in Maine while her father, a famous singer, is on a U.S. tour and her mother is visiting her dying brother in Newfoundland. It is the summer of 1942, and German U-boats patrol the shores of the North Atlantic. There are the strange goings-on in Winter Haven. When Jill intercepts a carrier pigeon with a message in German, she begins to suspect that someone in the town is guilty of treason. After the town's July 4th clambake, her life is threatened when it becomes clear to the spies that she has figured out their identity. A fun and enjoyable historical fiction read.
June 21, 2009
Omigosh!!!! I love this book! It is very slow in the beginning and it is defiantly a Chick-Lit. It is about a girl who has a town full of people who have secrets and this girl has to figure out who is helping the U-Boats.(the setting is during world war 2). Interesting mystery and the people who are helping are people you would least expect!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 18, 2011
I first read this book when i was 10 years old. I loved it then, I loved the suspense, I loved the mystery, I loved the idea of it, I just loved it! I couldn't put it down.
But a month ago, I tried re-reading it andonce again, I couldn't put it down I couldn't get past the first 5 pages.
I'm so ashamed.
But a month ago, I tried re-reading it and
I'm so ashamed.
July 6, 2014
It was an amazing book! It was a bit different at first because there is no ' I ' in the story but by the end it was fine. The way that the author tells the story really connected me to the book and made it hard for me to put it down.
November 14, 2009
this book was so good! it was kinda boring at first but, it was such a good book! you should really read it!
June 3, 2015
I read this for school and did not like it
I feel like the writing is awful and repetitive. Jill seems more like an eight year old than a fourteen year old. It was so hard to get through
I feel like the writing is awful and repetitive. Jill seems more like an eight year old than a fourteen year old. It was so hard to get through
December 27, 2023
This is one of my favorites. The beginning might seem boring, but trust me, it gets better. Quarry is my favorite.
October 20, 2017
In the beginning of the story Jill, daughter of a famous singer, is sent of to live with her Grandmother in small town Winter Haven, Maine. Reluctant to go, she eventually agrees. Her mother is on a dangerous trip across the ocean to visit her sick brother. Jill's father, Drew Winters, is on tour in Manhattan, leaving no one to take care of Jill. Once Jill arrives in Winter Haven she meets up with her Grandma. She then has an argument with a girl she meet on the train. They make up afterwords the Wendy, the girl Jill is now friends with, ended up coming over for diner at Jill's grandma's house the next dad. Grandma lends Jill an old bike, and she rides around the town. Jill then meets a boy named Quarry with a strong jersey accent. Wendy, Quarry, and Jill become close friends from then on. The town has a club for boys and girls called the Crystals and the Rocks. Wendy desperately wants into the Crystals club. She has Jill ask the girls "leader", Elena, if they can be included. The girls invite Jill to their club, but not Wendy. Wendy gets angry at Jill, and stops talking to her and visiting. Jill, then finds a carrier pigeon with the word "Sonnabend" on it. Jill thinks it's from the Germams. She tells Quarry about the word, and together they try to find some suspects. They have now assumed that a man named Clayton Bishop is behind the scheme. After a New Years party, Jill follows Wendy's mom, Adrie, and Clayton to the Oceanside. She then sees a German U-boat and reports it to the police. From there on out life gets better for Jill, her mom came home safely, and her dad is almost finished with is tour. Jill still doesn't know where Wendy is, but is she happy to not be caught up in the drama of Winter Haven. In all, Shadows on the sea is a great historical fiction book, about life during the war, from a bystander's point of view. It has many great lessons in it to. It shows that world isn't perfect, and will dragged into may horrible events, but must not give in to the tradeged, and keep thinking positively. I recommend this book to those want of sense of adventure, and wish to learn more about the life of those who didn't fight in the war, but still took damage from it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 30, 2025
I really liked this book! It was very fun, adventurous, and chilling. However, I do think there was a bit too much unnecessary subplots. Also, Patty coming out of a nowhere was a bit of a surprise and it seemed a bit weird that Jill was able to discard Wendy fast and say how Patty, her self, and Quarry would be the best trio when Wendy JUST got “kidnapped?” - (She technically did not get kidnapped but she disappeared along with Airdrie and I feel like she would not have a major part in the secret mission along with Bishop and her mother.)
Kept me at the edge of my seat. Not that it’s a bad thing; it’s very teenage-girlish because of the Crystals, Dates, Crushes, etc. Overall, I really liked this book and would recommend it to others.
Kept me at the edge of my seat. Not that it’s a bad thing; it’s very teenage-girlish because of the Crystals, Dates, Crushes, etc. Overall, I really liked this book and would recommend it to others.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 6, 2024
I wanted a cozy book set in Maine for a vacation I went on and this fit perfectly!! And the fact it was a WWI mystery?! Super charming quick historical fiction read that kept my attention throughout. Great message about controlling anxious thoughts too! <3
Content: Part of the plot is about gossip about town saying a side character is illegitimate an Not very detailed. I felt it could've been left out and been a different 'dark secret' but that's my taste.
✨ 4 Stars ✨
Content: Part of the plot is about gossip about town saying a side character is illegitimate an Not very detailed. I felt it could've been left out and been a different 'dark secret' but that's my taste.
✨ 4 Stars ✨
February 4, 2025
I thought the afterword was really interesting, but otherwise this book was not very good. Most of the storylines and characters were not well developed. I did appreciate that there was some discussion of why the Nazis were hated and that not all German immigrants were Nazi sympathizers, but this really only happens toward the end. Overall, I would not recommend this book to kids learning about WWII, because I don't feel that it really adds to overall comprehension of American life during the war.
September 26, 2021
First time I read this book, I was 11 or so. I remember this book being my favorite, as I read it over and over again. I decided to re read it as an adult, and I now remember why I loved it. The mystery, the simplicity, and the world the author creates. If you have a child, or if you want a quick, entertaining read, pick this book up. (I still have the original, with the original cover, I bought at a Scholastic Book Fair ages ago).
February 18, 2024
Loved this as a tween, so rereading as an adult. Easy to read, but written oddly where there is too much dialog, the girls are catty and mean for no reason (no added value) and then the last 30 pages is where the book finally picks up steam. Seemed like it was just trying to get wrapped up quick. But fun as a kid?
March 9, 2020
This book didn't have too many plot twists until the end of the book. This book could definitely be something you use when you need something to do, when reading Shadows on the sea, it isn't a book you have to read all at once.
April 13, 2021
Had this book for some time and decided to read. Even though it is a kids book it was interesting. I did not know that there were really U boats close to Maine and that they would torpedo ships in the area. This info is not giving away the book.
February 19, 2023
This book was so cute! Omg listen when I say I read this within like two days, I was crazy over this book! It’s a mix of like romance and even suspense and moments where it’s emotional and you can feel it along with them!
March 29, 2023
a wonderful little book that engages the reader right away. a warm story of family, friendship, growing up during war time, and that one should be very careful about judging people and circumstances as things are not always as they appear.
December 5, 2017
Cute story. However, it was mostly predictable. I feel like the author armed herself with lots of historic detail but missed opportunities to employ the facts for page turning plot twists.
May 7, 2018
It’s a good read for young kids 5-8th grade. Easy story line but some unfamiliar words. Not too much background spent on WWII history. Good storyline overall. Keith the interest.
November 12, 2018
I enjoyed reading the Afterword but did not care for the book itself.
July 9, 2020
I was not expecting this ending. I want to read the next book, "The Watcher," and find out what happened to Wendy.
August 18, 2020
This book was amazing and if you haven't read it you NEED to is was sooooooo good!!!!!!
December 3, 2020
Nice story ,
January 26, 2022
This is an historical fiction about WW2 and it was a delight to read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews