Walk Across the Sea

by Susan Fletcher

By 1886 many of Eliza Jane McCully's neighbors are concerned that the growing immigrant Chinese population is threatening their comfortable way of life. But it is a young Chinese boy named Wah Chung who saves Eliza and her pet goat from being swept into the sea by a deadly wave. This makes Eliza wonder: Are the Chinese really people to be feared, as her father and their neighbors believe? Or are the Chinese immigrants people with whom the townspeople in Crescent City could live peaceably, with a little tolerance and understanding?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, Fiction, Juvenile, Audiobook, Childrens, Young Adult

224 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2001

About the author

Susan Fletcher is the award-winning author of fourteen books for young readers, including Dragon’s Milk, Shadow Spinner, and Journey of the Pale Bear. Her novels have been translated into ten languages and have received a Golden Kite Honor from the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, as well as acclaim from the American Library Association, the Children’s Book Council, Bookriot.com, Natural History Magazine, Western Writers of America, Women Writing in the West, and many more. Susan taught for many years in the M.F.A. in Writing for Children program at Vermont College.

Although Susan loves to write about the long-ago and the yet-to-come, she can’t bring those worlds to life without grounding them in details from the world in which we live now. To that end, she has explored lava tubes and sea caves; spent the night in a lighthouse; traveled along the Silk Road in Iran; ridden in a glider, on a camel, and on a donkey; and cut up (already dead!) baby chicks and mice for a gyrfalcon’s dinner. To write Sea Change, she immersed herself in the geography and cultural vibe of Galveston, Texas; explored a Gulf of Mexico oil platform; and brought to mind her childhood experiences of skin diving off Catalina Island with her family.

Reviews

[Rhea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was blown away by this book! I knew nothing, going into it, except that I went to the used bookstore and found a book with "Weather on the Cover," for a reading Bingo category. There wasn't even a synopsis on the back of the book, only a beautiful illustration of a lighthouse, set against the moody backdrop of an impending storm.
This historical fiction book tackled issues of persecution of the Chinese people, grief, and it realistically portrayed the internal battle of a young girl, who had to wrestle between honoring her parents and standing up for what she believed was right. I highly recommend this book. 5 Stars!

[Carol C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure how this book came to me - I found it in a pile of books my kids had outgrown, ready to be donated to the library. I decided to pick it up and read it, and I'm glad I did. I haven't read much middle grade, lately, though I used to all the time. I loved it! A young girl begins to think for herself and separate from her parents' beliefs, learning how to stand up for what is right in her own eyes. The setting was rich, and the story was good.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A historical account of the prejudice and fear that led to persecution of Chinese immigrants in the 1880s. Set in Crescent City, CA, the historical details are well documented and the main character, Eliza, is a girl who comes to understand why so many Chinese left their own country, but finds it more difficult to comprehend why so many white people, including her own father, want to send them back. After witnessing a near-riot and befriending a Chinese boy who is left behind, Eliza finds her relationship with her father, the lighthouse keeper, threatened.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was different than I'd thought it would be. But I learned a lot from it! I lived in California for 10 years and they didn't teach us about this at all. I had no idea! Good story. Worth reading.

[Art · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good look at the Chinese Immigration of America and the thoughts of those who were already here.
Interesting how Irish had forgotten they were immigrants struggling to get accepted in American Culture and way of life.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting story about coming into your own, set against a historical clash of cultures. The themes of racial hatred and resentment and divisions within one group of people over how another should be treated are sadly too appropriate for the current political climate. Eliza lives in a lighthouse on the northern California coast with her mother and father and goat. Trouble arises in town because of recently arrived Chinese immigrants who are viewed as heathens out to steal the jobs of the town folks. But Eliza can see their humanity and the injustice of this attitude.

[P S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will absolutely have my daughter read this book one day.

I love Eliza. She is strong, opinionated, and outspoke. She is humble and loving. She fights for those who cannot fight for themselves (her baby sister, Wah Chung).

So many sweet and cozy scenes; also so many heartbreaking scenes.

Also beautifully written. "Papa's eyes spat sparks." Obsessed!

[Dani Rojas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading through, only one question came through my mind: "This is a kids book?" The story is harsh and yet historically significant. There were details that made me question how this book made it to print. Last, but also important, the progression and problems faced by the protagonists gives me worry; in all honesty, this book would probably be-and I hope it won't ever be-a banned book.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The protagonists struggle with her faith and her father's prejudice hit a little close to home to be honest. Obviously not the 19th century lighthouse keeper part but emotionally this really hit me and the whole thing was very atmospheric and well written.

[Severina Tretyakov · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a very good book and easy to read.

[Hannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I probably would have liked this as a kid, but as an adult I was bored. It was like a wannabe American Girl History Mystery, which I used to eat up like candy.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eliza is brave and filled with wonder. On the cusp of growing up even though she doesn’t know it. Her father the lighthouse keeper depends on her. She is his pride and joy.

[Elise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall good, but it ended kind of sad. I wish papa had a better revelation. But probably more realistic

[Cori Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked a lot of things about this book, but it is incredibly hard to read at times. Especially if you've experienced any kind of miscarriage or loss. It was lovely and horrible all at once. :)

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Upper elem, middle school read. An excellent perspective on Chinese persecution in the 1880’s as well as a young girls’ wrestling with God in context of the duality of evil & beauty coexisting.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Compelling narrative voice, interesting story about the displacement of Chinese people in the late 1800s in California.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good book; it’s fun to live here and see the actual history.

[Mary L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another blotch on our history. Maybe we can learn from this--maybe not!

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned a bit more about some Northern California history

[Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

alright for the most part

[Kanyimbe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually really good. Deep themes for a short middle grade novel.
Made me tear up a few times.

[Andy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in California in the late 1800s, this book presents a moral dilemma: a father and daughter disagree about Chinese immigrants moving into their little town, and they both turn to the bible to bolster their arguments.

I liked the characters, Eliza Jane, her mother, the father, and the good doctor, but it bugged me that they had southern accents. Did people in California sound all country-like back then? I don't they did.

What I really liked about the book was the imagery. Fletcher did a wonderful job creating the background. I'd read the book again just for that. The antagonists, the physical ones anyway, a couple of boys, were cookie-cutter mean boys. (Made me think of the boys in "The Karate Kid".)

Anyway, the story is about Eliza growing up at a lighthouse since she's about 3 or 4. She loves it here. The entire story is told from her memory. I think she's 13 when the story takes place, but she's 15 now. She was coming into her own, forming her own thoughts, placing her stake in the world. Her father, the lighthouse keeper, has been her guiding force, but she ends up opposite him when it comes to Chinese immigrants. He thinks they're heathens. She thinks the bible teaches us to help those less fortunate.

Good story. Has an epilogue and notes by the author about the historical events and lighthouse this story is based on.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the book Walk Across The Sea the Character Eliza Lives on a lighthouse in California. It's set in the 1800's. Her father and Mother live with her. The story is all about there life on the island. Eliza talks about many ups and downs on living on the island. One of the downs of living on the island is they have to wait for the isthmus to clear if they want to get to the mainland. Another down is that when ever there is a major storm there house gets hit hard. Like near the end of the book a horrible storm it's there house and does a lot of damage, but I'll let you read to find out the rest. An up to living on the island that Eliza likes is she has more responsibilities, because this takes place in the 1800's there was no TV or computers to play with, this was how she kept busy. Another up was every day she could go look out to sea.
In the book there is a conflict between some Chines people that moved there and the towns folk. In other parts of the state they have been having they same problem. This has lead to burning their houses and even killing them. In Eliza's town the decide they are going to run them out and out them on a ship to San Francisco, but one boy stays behind and creates conflict with The lighthouse inspector and Eliza's father. Could the boy cause them to loose their job as lighthouse keeper? Read the book to find out.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ever since she was three years old, Eliza Jane McCully has lived in the lighthouse at Crescent City, California, where her father is the keeper. Now thirteen, Eliza has many responsibilities, helping her father to keep the light burning, and eagerly awaiting the birth of her new baby sibling. One day while chasing her stubborn goat across the pathway to the island, she is caught by a wave. A Chinese boy saves her goat and warns her about the wave just in time. Eliza is confused, because her father has taught her that the Chinese are evil heathens. An unexpected tragedy causes Eliza to doubt her own beliefs as well as questioning her father's. When the townspeople run the Chinese out of Crescent City, Eliza watches in horror, unable to do anything. But when the boy who rescued her comes to her for help, Eliza must make the ultimate decision. Is she is brave enough to openly defy her father? A nice unusual historical novel for middle grade/young YA readers.

[Ethan Kohn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought the novel Walk Across the Sea was a good book but it was not my favorite book that i have read. the book is based in the late 1800's, it is about a girl names Eliza Jane, and a Chinese boy named Wah Chung. The people in her town are concerned about the growing population of Chinese immigrants and how is is going to effect their comfortable way of life. when Wah Chung saves Eliza Jane and her pet goat from a deadly wave it made her think are Chinese people really needed to be a concern to their daily lives or are they going to be able to live among them in Crescent City, with tolerance and understanding.
the book is showing the reader that it does not matter what race you are because you can be excepted by the people around you and that you should not judge someone before you get to know them. That is what the book taught me and even though it was not my favorite it teaches a really good lesson to the reader.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the Walk Across the Sea by Susan Fletcher. It was a great novel about the history of our world and how change can be scary to people.
Walk Across the Sea is about a girl named Eliza McCully that is living in the 1880's. Eliza and her family lives in a lighthouse, her mother is inspecting a baby. In Eliza's town there are chinese imagrants that are talking the jobs of the towns people to make lives for themselves and for their families. One day Eliza was taking her goat for a walk and he almost got swept away by the tide and a chinese boy named Wah Chung. Eliza and Wah started a friendship that day but her dad did not allow that buecause he wanted to run the chinese worker out of town. The town did some working together and did the right thing in the end.
I give this book a 3 out of 10, but it taught me a lot.

[Salsabrarian]

Narrated by Christina Moore. In 19th century coastal California, Eliza lives with her mother and father at a lgihthouse where she helps her father take charge of the beacon. They live near a town populated by whites and Chinese but there are increasingly hard feelings against the "Celestials" for "taking away jobs" and being "heathens." But when a Chinese boy named Wa Chung saves Eliza from being brought down by a wave she begins to see him and the other Chinese as people, not heathen. She takes issue against the whites driving the Chinese out of town. When it's discovered that Eliza is harboring Wa Chung at the lighthouse the consequence is her father's job and their beloved lifestyle off the mainland. Last chapter where she talks to her new baby brother Andrew John seemed extraneous and pedantic.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

gr 5-9 214pgs

Crescent City, California 1886. 15 year old Eliza has always been warned by her father to stay away from the Chinese immigrants and where they live. Eliza begins to question whether or not they are really a danger after she befriends a Chinese boy. As tensions in the town between the townspeople who see the Chinese community as a threat and townspeople who think the Chinese immigrants should be left in peace, Eliza finds herself caught in the middle as she tries to honor her father while being true to her own beliefs.

Centered around a historic event (the eviction of the Chinese immigrant community) with a lot of information about attitudes and activities of daily life. I would recommend this book to a reader looking for a serious story.

[Miss Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

gr 5-9 214pgs

Crescent City, California 1886. 15 year old Eliza has always been warned by her father to stay away from the Chinese immigrants and where they live. Eliza begins to question whether or not they are really a danger after she befriends a Chinese boy. As tensions in the town between the townspeople who see the Chinese community as a threat and townspeople who think the Chinese immigrants should be left in peace, Eliza finds herself caught in the middle as she tries to honor her father while being true to her own beliefs.

Centered around a historic event (the eviction of the Chinese immigrant community) with a lot of information about attitudes and activities of daily life. I would recommend this book to a reader looking for a serious story

[Mara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like a lot of Susan Fletcher's books, but this wasn't one of my favorites. The first-person narrative was annoying in its choppiness and the story itself was not all that engaging. It didn't have a definite storyline - things occurred that were mostly not connected. The issue of Wah Chung does not come back up until the end of the book. Eliza is a strong-willed girl, but she doesn't know how to control her words in a way that makes her stand her own in an argument, which gets really annoying after a while. After the fifth or sixth chapter, the story just seems to drag and go nowhere. The end feels pretty much the same.