The Sea in Winter

by Christine Day

American Indian Youth Literature Middle Grade Honor Book! In this evocative and heartwarming novel for readers who loved The Thing About Jellyfish, the author of I Can Make This Promise tells the story of a Native American girl struggling to find her joy again.

It’s been a hard year for Maisie Cannon, ever since she hurt her leg and could not keep up with her ballet training and auditions.

Her blended family is loving and supportive, but Maisie knows that they just can’t understand how hopeless she feels. With everything she’s dealing with, Maisie is not excited for their family midwinter road trip along the coast, near the Makah community where her mother grew up.

But soon, Maisie’s anxieties and dark moods start to hurt as much as the pain in her knee. How can she keep pretending to be strong when on the inside she feels as roiling and cold as the ocean?

The Heartdrum imprint centers a wide range of intertribal voices, visions, and stories while welcoming all young readers, with an emphasis on the present and future of Indian Country and on the strength of young Native heroes. In partnership with We Need Diverse Books.

Genres: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, Mental Health, Contemporary, Audiobook, Family

277 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 5, 2021

About the author

Christine Day (Upper Skagit) grew up in Seattle, nestled between the sea, the mountains, and the pages of her favorite books. Her debut novel, I CAN MAKE THIS PROMISE (Harper), was a best book of the year from Kirkus, School Library Journal, NPR, and the Chicago Public Library, as well as a Charlotte Huck Award Honor Book, and an American Indian Youth Literature Award Honor Book. Her second novel, THE SEA IN WINTER (Harper/Heartdrum), is coming to shelves on January 5, 2021. She also wrote the forthcoming SHE PERSISTED: MARIA TALLCHIEF (Philomel), an early reader biography in a new series inspired by Chelsea Clinton's bestselling picture book. Christine lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband.

Her work is represented by Suzie Townsend at New Leaf Literary & Media, Inc.

Reviews

[Darla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in Seattle and coastal Washington state, this new middle grade novel is being published under a new imprint called Heartdrum. This exciting project from HarperCollins showcasing the voices of Native creators. This title tells the story of Maisie and her struggles to recover from ACL surgery and her dreams of returning to ballet. Her entire family is of Native descent and as they take a family trip historical events are remembered and historic sites are visited. Much of the book is set in February and Maisie is spending time at the sea -- giving us the title. What I really loved about this book in addition to the new things I learned about Native history was the strong family structure that Maisie is a part of, especially her interactions with her little brother Connor. While I fell in love with the cover, it seems to depict a girl who is several years younger. It is just not the way I imagined Maisie once I read her story. Still, the book itself is well done and delivers a quality product and represents the new imprint well.

Thank you to Heartdrum and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

[Rachel L · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars!

The story of a young Native American girl going through a rough time in her life, I thought this was such a beautiful and poignant story. After injuring her leg, Maisie can no longer practice ballet and has a hard time focusing in class. Her parents decide to take her and her younger brother on a trip where she discovers more about her heritage.

This book was beautifully written and my heart went out to Maisie and her struggles. There was a lot to unpack and I think the author did a great job with this story and I think many children will read this book and relate to what Maisie is going through.

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't expect anything less from Christine Day. She delivered as usual. This book tackles some tough topics, but also provides an opportunity for readers to learn so much. CW: depression

The Sea in Winter follows Maisie who is Native American and lives with her mother, her stepfather Jack and her half-brother Connor. After tearing her ALC, Maisie is unable to continue her practicing and performing ballet. To help Maisie learn more about her tribal history, the family takes a winter trip to hike. Unfortunately, things don't go well while there and readers learn more about the internal struggles that have been plaguing Maisie since her injury.

What Worked: This isn't my first Christine Day book and I must say that she has a knack for writing stories that captivate a reader's attention. I was enthralled with the story from the very beginning. There is this duality present in the book where readers are not only learning about the emotional struggles that Maisie faces as she grieves the loss of her ability to perform ballet, but they also learn so much about Native American tribes from the Northwest area of the country. I've been attempting to read more books by and about Native and Indigenous communities, and this gave me so much insight to experiences that were previously unknown to me. Sometimes, it's so easy to get caught up in your own marginalized experience that you forget that there are others who also experience pain and trauma at the hands of colonization and imperialism. Additionally, I enjoyed the fact that Day recognizes the amount of grief that anyone could experience when losing something that you're passionate about. Maisie is incapable of not only performing/practicing ballet, but she has to watch her friends make accomplishments that she can no longer achieve. Naturally, this leads to feelings of anger, loss, and regret. She lashes out and says things she doesn't mean. However, it was beautiful watching her parents respond in such a positive way and support her journey towards therapy. This book doesn't necessarily end in a perfect way, but in a realistic way that made the story feel both realistic and complete.

Overall, this was a great book! I really think that I'll pick up anything that Christine Day writes at this point.

[Leo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first middle grade I've read that deals heavy on mental health and depression and I loved everything about it. I wished I had this book as a kid, as I think it would have done so much good. Don't have kids around me but if I did I would gift them this book as I thought the talk about mental illness and health was done very skillfully and great.

[CW ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

What do you do when your future, your dream, is shattered by a life-changing accident? How do you pick up the pieces of your life? I loved this book.

- Follows Maisie, a Makah/Piscataway girl who has a dream of becoming a ballerina - and when her life is turned upside down following a devastating injury.
- This gorgeous middle-grade story blew me away with its simple yet profound exploration of a grief that we don’t talk about enough: the grief of losing your dream and thus your identity.
- When Maisie’s dream to become a ballerina are side-lined after a devastating injury, the story centers and explores her grief as she navigates the fraught journey of recovery and with it the sadness, the anger, and feeling lost.
- If you read this, be sure to read the Author’s Note, which offered a great learning opportunity for me, specifically on the thoughtfulness behind the chapter titles and the Elwha River Restoration Project.

[Rajiv · Rating 5 out of 5]

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The Sea in Winter is a beautiful, emotional tale about feeling hopeless and struggling to move on.

Firstly, before I get into Maisie’s storyline, I must applaud the author for the details she put into the novel. Although targeted for middle grade, I learned a lot from reading this story about the Makah Nation and the Native tribes. Moreover, this book was an eye-opener for me, from the Elwha Dam to the Duwamish Tribe. The author beautifully includes many facts for a simple tale, and it made the book stand out.

Coming to the plot, I thought the author portrayed a beautiful message about how people cope with hopelessness and failure and have trouble moving on. It was interesting to see how Maisie struggles and fights this battle at such a young age. Additionally, Maisie’s family is terrific and strengthens the story very nicely. Also, I loved Conor! He sparks the tale with his innocence and charm in this otherwise serious novel. Another part that stood out for me was the bond between Jack and Maisie. The author wrote their relationship realistically, and I loved the scenes at the motel where they share popcorn.

However, there were a few minor parts that I felt could have been slightly better. For instance, I would have liked the author to give more details of the accident that made Maisie behave this way. Also, I felt like, at times, there was a shift of focus from Maisie’s issues to her mother’s problems.

Apart from that, I enjoyed “The Sea in Winter.” It is a quick, simple, but beautiful, heartwarming story about hope and family, with many interesting facts. Overall, I enjoyed it and thought that a reader of any age would appreciate it.

[Vina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating 4.5. This is the second book I’ve read by Christine Day. The Sea in Winter focuses on Maisie’s, a middle school student, personal struggle of dealing with a life changing event deterring and challenging her aspirations and passions. The book is a quick read, but the author does a great job in correlating her Mother’s and Maisie tribal struggle in helping Maisie deal with her personal struggles. The one thing I enjoyed of Christine Day character development is Maisie's parent. As an indigenous reader, I was delighted to see a positive portrayal of an indigenous couple’s parenting style, which is rarely displayed in majority of our Indigenous books. I believe we need more of these positive portrayal for our Indigenous children and young adult readers.

[Stephanie Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Young Maisie is struggling. A leg injury is keeping her from pursuing her passion, ballet. The only friends she has are also ballet students, but they are moving forward with their own ambitions. Without her dancing, Maisie feels lost, and anger is often boiling inside her. The more her loving family tries to sympathize and assist, the more Maisie pushes back. On a family trip things come to a head, and Maisie has to let go and let others help her find ways to heal her mind and body.
The author is from the Pacific Northwest, the setting of The Sea in Winter. Her descriptions of this region are stunningly descriptive. The stories and history from the Native American tribes from that area also add greatly to the theme of diversity.
I liked that the reader is shown very realistic circumstances within the plot. Everything is not “tied neatly with a bow” at the end for the young protagonist; no “miracles” occur, which makes it bittersweet, yet satisfying.
Great book to have in classrooms! So many children, girls and boys, will be able to relate to Maisie and the tribulations of middle-school life, and also those of dealing with a sports injury.

[Afoma (Reading Middle Grade) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christine Day's writing is always quiet, poignant, and insightful, and The Sea in Winter is especially so. Maisie is a deeply introspective character whose suffering will be deeply felt by all who read this book. Yet, this book manages to be uplifting with the help of Maisie's brother Connor and her warm, loving family and friends. If you enjoy middle-grade books with a touch of ballet, heartwarming sibling dynamics, books featuring blended families, and characters dealing with friendship issues and mental health struggles, this is one to read. Most importantly, however, this is a much welcome addition to a too-small roster of books by Native American authors.

Read my full review on my blog.

I received an eARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

"None of this means that you've failed...It just means that you're moving forward. Which is about the bravest thing any of us can do." p.190

"...be gentle with yourself. Trauma takes time to heal." p. 48

[Dr. Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Harper Collins & HarperKids for sending me a finishing copy in exchange for an honest review and promotion. All opinions are my own.

4.5/5

This was such a heartwarming story of a young Native girl navigating a leg injury which has sidelined her ballet career. Maisie is such an easy character to relate to. I loved how much she loves ballet and her family. Maisie's story is about her recovery and how she tries to find a new normal for herself. We also see some strain in her friendships since she left ballet.

The Sea in Winter is a moving and quick story. I definitely felt so many emotions both for Maisie and the other characters. There was part of the ending that was particularly moving. Books like these are so important for young kids to read, Native and non-Native alike. There are important themes about identity that need to get talked about.

Rep: Native female MC with anxiety, depression and a leg injury, Native female side character, Native male side character.

CWs: Injury/injury detail. Moderate: Grief, death, past death of parent, mental illness (anxiety & depression). Minor: Ableism, body shaming, past mentions of child abuse, racism, medical content.

[Shaye Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sea in Winter was unusual in the fact that I didn't really notice the usual narrative arc (with a building climax) we normally expect from a middle grade novel. However, I think Maisie Cannon has a lot to share with readers in the aftermath of an injury that will greatly impact her life. We witness times when she is experiencing hopelessness as the whole world looks beak. 

“School is boring. None of the classes mean anything to me. It’s the strangest thing to spend all this time in school, forced through all these mandatory lessons, despite the fact that most of these subjects lead nowhere.”

But with the support of her family, Maisie learns to deal with her anxiety/depression while moving forward in her greatly changed life. I loved the closeness of her blended family and her relationship with her little brother is simply adorable! Intermixed in the story are details about the Makah Nation and their Native history. And in the end, Day provides a lengthy Author's Note that helps provide more details about real life experiences.

For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!!

[Katy O. · Rating 5 out of 5]

My second Christine Day novel that I've LOVED! Two words I'd use to describe this one are poignant and melancholy, but in the world of middle schoolers, that's just perfect. I read this as a mother of two teens and as a mother, all the emotions and relationship struggles hit home so hard - I imagine that almost any middle schooler who is struggling with friendships or sports will relate so well to this. The fact that this book is from the Heartdrum imprint makes me incredibly happy as well - finally an imprint devoted to Native authors!

While the main character in this book is in 7th grade, it is appropriate for a wide range of readers, as far down as reading ability allows and I can even see it aging up if you know any ballerinas or any other readers struggling with an injury or a major change in dreams.

[La La · Rating 1 out of 5]

First of all this book was published as Middle Grade and the content is barely readable as Young Adult. The 12-13 year old girls act and converse like 36 year old suburban housewives. Again, it's like some authors think the only criteria for a story to be MG is the age of the main character.

Most of the medical elements made the story unbelievable. A twelve year old isn't going to be put in charge of her own rehabilitation schedule. If your knee is so unstable after a surgery you cannot participate in any form of PE at school, you certainly aren't going to be allowed to hike all over the countryside, up and down steep hills and in sand with no brace or support wrapping. Oh, but then... there'd be no story. Realistic Contemporary has to be realistic. The MC was thinking to herself that her knee had started hurting while hiking, but decided to keep walking because she, "... wants to be able to audition (ballet) in the spring," how does that make any sense? Anyway, the doctor easily caving in about his plans for her return to dance timeline was super unrealistic, too.

There was too much description of detail. Sometimes I felt all I was reading was yadda, yadda, yadda, yadda. The book quickly became boring for me, even as an adult. And as I mentioned earlier the author wrote the story in her own adult thinking, not as a twelve year old. The mother's memories of war and death were presented in an adult way that would be disturbing to most 7-12 year olds. Other concepts, such as marriage and adult love, were discussed in the way two old college friends would sit down to talk over coffee, after not seeing each other for years. I kept thinking... where were the editors?

There were inconsistencies like the son being told the hiking trail didn't go near the ocean, but at the end of the hike they were standing looking out over the ocean. There were too many plot threads that frayed into dust; especially the Native America history threads. The history wasn't presented in much of a meaningful, cohesive, or interesting way. Most of it was vague. Less time needed to be spent on describing the 101 ways her little brother was annoying her and the motel breakfasts down to the last crumb, and more time developing the history stories. This book also tried to be about too many things and ended up not solidly being about much of anything.

I also don't like it when authors who are not mental health professionals diagnose their characters. At first it was okay because only the MC's feelings were discussed, and I was happy when the decision was made to seek counseling for the girl, but then her feelings were instantly labeled a "chemical imbalance," even though she was going through the classic stages of grief, and most preteens are annoyed by younger siblings, especially kindergartners, anyway.

I'm going to end this here because I'm going to frustrate myself trying to put my many other disappoints with this book into words. What I do want to say is publishers who rush to get diverse books into print and publish them before they are ready, especially children's stories, do a real disservice to other diverse authors and the diverse children's books community in general. Please stop giving awards for subject matter alone. Have some criteria for substance and story construction. If you are publishing for younger children make sure the content is easily absorbable and interesting for the age group it's intended. They need to be excited about reading historical, cultural, and social activism stories. Spend your time and resourcess working with a few authors to put well written books out there instead of spewing out a lot of weak books. And, authors, many of you should be better at editing and self-critiquing if you are not getting help from your publisher.

[Elizabeth☮ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Twelve-year old Maisie has her mind on ballet. She has spent her entire life preparing to audition for one of the elite schools. But, Maisie has torn her ACL and this has put a stop to her plans. When we meet her, Maisie is still grappling with her physical therapy and tapping down her feelings of jealousy towards her friends from the world of ballet that are now auditioning for the schools she wants to attend.

Maisie's mother and step-father make an effort to be supportive, but Maisie keeps her emotions bottled up and they aren't sure how to get her to open up.

This book is very insular and quiet. We get Maisie's daily life for a few days that takes course over a winter vacation (the family visits the places where her mother grew up as a member of the Makah nation). I liked that it allows the reader to get in Maisie's mind, but when Maisie finally has a meltdown of her emotions, it skips to four months later rather than guiding the reader through the mess of what all of those emotions look like.

This is one of a few books from the inprint Heartdrum which focuses on writers from native nations. The book is infused with history and traditions of Maisie's family and I loved that also. Her mother is a member of the Makah Nation and her late father is a member of Piscataway nation). We get a lot of the history of the people and how it links to the generations that follow. There are many notes in the back regarding Day's reason for selecting these nations.

Interestingly, I love this book cover and it is one of the reasons I wanted to read the book. But, I think the book cover belies the serious content of the book. The young girl on the cover appears much younger than twelve years old. Maisie is a complex character. I don't want kids to pass this one up because they may feel it reads too young for them just based on the cover. Am I making any sense?

I would like to read Day's first book. She is a solid writer that can write the emotions of a tween with grade and that's not easy to do.

[Kathie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Edelweiss+ and the publisher for an eARC of this book.

I requested this eARC because I enjoyed the author's first book, and the cover on this one totally sucked me in. I'm so glad I did, because this is a good I'll be recommending for several reasons.

All Maisie wants to do is recover from her ACL injury, and get back to dancing. She has dreams of becoming a professional ballet dancer, and auditions are already taking place for summer intensives. But although she's making strides, the injury is taking time to heal, and she's frustrated, feeling alienated from the world that she feels is like a second home. Her mom and step-dad want to help her, but she has so many feelings inside that she starts directing them at the people she loves. A family hiking trip leads to emotions coming to a boil, just when Maisie is going to need her family the most.

I loved this story, partly because Maisie's passion was so palpable, but also because the frustration, impatience, and longing to return to something she loved is so relatable. Many young athletes will face a setback at some point in their lives, and learning how to deal with the realities of it and looking outside the narrow path one has chosen is a valuable learning experience. I also really loved her relationship with her family, and how supportive her mom and step-dad try to be. There is a lot of love in this family, clearly visible even through the hurt and anger. I also really enjoyed Maisie connecting to her family heritage. Her mom is Makah, her father was Piscataway, and her step-dad, Jack, is from the Elwha Klallam Tribe. Jack knows a great deal about the Pacific Northwest history, and through his stories, and the stories of her mom during their hiking trip to her area where she grew up, there is a lot of valuable Native history taught through this story.

I will definitely be adding this book to my collection in the new year.

[Colette Denali · Rating 5 out of 5]

**I received a Digital ARC of this book from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.**

I initially requested this ARC because I loved the author's previous novel, which I read because I am a fan of the illustrator who did the cover art for both books, Michaela Goade. However, I am delighted that through Goade, I found a new favorite author!

Maisie, the protagonist, struggles with intense emotions and family frustrations after a serious ballet injury. She struggles, both physically and emotionally, to navigate her healing journey as she attends school, physical therapy, and travels with her blended family. Ultimately, her story ends in a realistic and heartening manner.

Though my middle school years were very different from Maisie's, I found so many similarities in our stories. I spent a summer in Seattle as a middle schooler, where Maisie lives. Like Maisie, I studied ballet throughout my childhood. And perhaps most importantly (to me) I'm Indigenous. This is exactly the book I wish I had access to as a middle schooler. I also struggled with big emotions at that age, and would have appreciated Maisie's journey. This is an #ownvoices book that I needed badly and am so glad exists for young people now.

Day's writing is really lovely- it doesn't feel stilted or heavy-handed, like many middle-grade novels do. I loved the references to the dams and whaling- touchpoints I could relate to. My summer in Seattle involved studying what might happen if the dams were to be removed. I'm so happy Maisie lives the reality of the world where the dams were removed! Like Maisie's mother, I was also deeply affected by racism surrounding Indigenous rights when I was a child.

I will be buying this book when it debuts, for myself and as gifts for kids in my life.

[Ian · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sea in Winter is heartwarming, soft, and real. It tells story of a young Native girl named Maisie who is struggling. More than that, though, it tells the story of an amazingly resilient family that is filled with love despite having gone through so much pain.

Seriously, the family dynamics in this book are some of the best I’ve ever read. I love Maisie’s family SO much! Her stepfather, Jack, is brilliant, hilarious, strong, and so loving. He is a geoduck fisherman who knows a lot about Pacific Northwest history, and he loves to teach his kids about their ancestors, history, and culture. Her little brother is absolutely adorable, and her mother is great too. Her mother is Makah, her father was Piscataway, and her stepfather is Lower Elwha Klallam. They all have different last names, which is cool. I love the stories of how her mother met and fell in love with both Maisie’s father, who died when Maisie was a baby, and Jack. I also love how the parents care so much for their kids and are such good parents.

Overall, I loved this quietly poignant exploration of family and mental health.

[Kristen Blackton · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

This book was not for me. The author writes in a flowery, descriptive style which often left me uninterested, leaving my brain to wander into other subjects. The plot is very slow and much more emotional than physical, yet I didn’t really feel an emotional connection to any character. I can’t see many of my students enjoying this slow, melancholic journey. However, I really did appreciate learning more about indigenous heritage, and the author’s note about her tribe was very interesting. I would probably be more interested in a non-fiction book about some of the issues faced by indigenous peoples that are alluded to in this story.

[Mid-Continent Public Library]

Set in Seattle and coastal Washington state, this new middle grade novel is being published under a new imprint called Heartdrum. This exciting project from HarperCollins showcasing the voices of Native creators. This title tells the story of Maisie and her struggles to recover from ACL surgery and her dreams of returning to ballet. Her entire family is of Native descent and as they take a family trip historical events are remembered and historic sites are visited. Much of the book is set in February and Maisie is spending time at the sea -- giving us the title. What I really loved about this book in addition to the new things I learned about Native history was the strong family structure that Maisie is a part of, especially her interactions with her little brother Connor. While I fell in love with the cover, it seems to depict a girl who is several years younger. It is just not the way I imagined Maisie once I read her story. Still, the book itself is well done and delivers a quality product and represents the new imprint well. *Reviewed by Darla from Red Bridge*

[Alex Baugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maisie Cannon, 12, has been taking ballet since she was four-years-old, but now she is on a long recovery road after injuring her ACL trying to do an en pointe routine she just wasn't ready for. Now, with the support of her family - mom, stepdad, and younger brother Connor - and lots of physical therapy, Maisie's knee has mended enough that she is permitted to take a family hike along the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. And Maisie is hoping that she will be able to return to ballet in time to audition for a summer dance program. She is so consumed with when she can return to the dance studio, that her grades in school are suffering.

On top of all that, best friend Eva is convinced she will be accepted into her first choice summer program, but seems totally oblivious to what is going on with Maisie, unlike their friend Hattie. Hattie is concerned that she hasn't heard from Maisie, who is avoiding her text messages. Hattie is also the best dancer of the three friends. At the same time, Maisie has been unaccountably irritated at her parents and Connor, and she is beginning to feel oddly disconnected from herself and those around her. And she's in denial about how serious the pain in her knee is.

As her family heads out for their road trip during midwinter break, Maisie's dark moods don't improve, nor does the pain in her knee. During the tip, Maisie learns the history of her Native American ancestors. She is Makah on her mother's side, who grew up on northwestern part of Washington State. Maisie's dad was Piscataway, growing up on the Chesapeake Bay. Her stepdad, Jack Leith, is an enrolled citizen of the Lower Elwah Klallam Tribe, and know everything about Klallam and Pacific Northwest history.

While the family digs for clams, and hikes through the area, Maisie's mother talks to her about how she was able to deal with the sudden death of her husband, finding strength in her Makah heritage. Jack also shares his personal history as part of the Klallam community and what a difference it made in his life, which was at one time heading in the wrong direction.

Despite being careful, Maisie trips and falls, seriously re-injuring her knee, undoing all the hard work she put into healing it. Will she be able to recover and dance again, or will she have to find a new course? And can she mend the friendships she has sabotaged?

When I began reading The Sea in Winter, I expected it to be about a younger girl than Maisie because of the cover and it took me a few pages to readjust my thinking. Once I did that, I was completely hooked on Maisie's story. It is narrated in the first person by her and gives the reader a lot of insight into her thinking and feelings, as well as her struggles. Maisie is heading down a dark path, but luckily she has parents who love her and recognize what is happening. I have to admit that at first I thought Maisie was a bit selfish, but as her emotional state became clearer, I began to feel much more empathic towards her.

I really liked that Day gave her an intact family that is supportive, warm and loving, and a stepdad who really cares for her as though she were is own child without trying to replace her biological dad. Little brother Connor is a bundle of energy and can be a bit annoying, but it is clear he adores Maisie and the feeling is mutual. Family goes a long way in helping Maisie's recovery and I think the Native histories her parents tell her about also help her to finally begin to have the strength to really heal.

Day's description of the people and places in Maisie's life are so realistic, including the road trip the family took from their home in Seattle to the tip of the Olympic Peninsula. I could almost feel the cold and taste the razor clams the family digs up and cooks.

The Sea in Winter is a compelling, heartwarming story about facing the loss of a dream and finding your life again after a traumatic injury. I can't recommend it highly enough.

This book is recommended for readers age 9+
This book was an eARC gratefully received from NetGalley

[Enne · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

I adored how messy everything in this book is. Not from the technical standpoint, but from the narrative standpoint. No question or problem in this book seems like it has a clear answer and I loved that. I really enjoyed the family dynamics explored in this book, I thought they were really complex and well-developed. In general, writing complex families is something that Christine Day seems to be really good at, so I will definitely be picking up more of her books in the future for that alone. But I also really loved the way this book explored change, both in the way it explores life-changing events and also just the way people can change over time. I thought the main character’s development tied really well into that and I just adored the way it all came together. This is a book about finding a new place to fit into the world after your reality is tilted or turned on its axis. It’s a book about learning to adapt. But it’s also a book about support and love and how those are the things that can help carry someone through that. I truly enjoyed every second of it.

trigger warnings: injury, hospitals, references to/depictions of anxiety and depression, mentions of war & death
rep: Indigenous (Makah) MC, Indigenous (Makah & Piscataway) side characters

[Nev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well this was another absolutely gorgeous middle grade book from Christine Day. Maisie’s life is turned upside down after an injury means she’s no longer able to do ballet. Ballet was her biggest passion, it’s where all of her friends were, and now she’s on the sidelines having to watch them continue on and accomplish things without her.

I felt like this book did such a good job at exploring Maisie’s emotions and her mental health after her injury. It showed the not so pretty moments in an age appropriate way for middle grade readers. I also really enjoyed the parts of the story that were explaining Maisie’s family and their Native American tribal histories.

Christine Day just has a knack for combining the complex emotional lives of the main characters with history and cultural information about Native communities.

[Kate Willis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up after seeing it on a friend's library haul, but I didn't know much about it. It ended up being a good read, so I'm happy I took a chance on it.

I consider myself a PNW girly, but I know very little about northern Washington geography and even less about local Native history. This book gave me a little bit of a crash course on both which was cool. It also made me nostalgic for the weather and the beaches and just how cold it can get there.

Maisie was an interesting main character, and I loved her close-knit, goofy family. The themes of mental health, letting go, and moving forward resonated with me and I shed a few tears. I think this book could be very helpful to children going through big changes in their lives. <3

[MeganRuth - Alohamora Open a Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic MG fiction about loss of love, healing, and the Native Americans in the Pacific Northwest.

Beautiful book. It felt realistic, and one kids and adults can connect to and learn from.

More of a review to come.

[Laura Gardner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely! Sometimes giving up on dreams is inevitable and this book is about that struggle.

[Hoover Public Library Kids and Teens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maisie is a young ballerina sidelined by a major injury. Her surgery was successful, and her recovery is progressing . . . but not fast enough. How can she find her joy again?

[Carie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit too sweet and tidy for my bookish tastes.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would have been a 5-star read, but a couple of things bugged me:

1. The cover. It is a gorgeous cover, but the main character is 12 years old. The girl on the cover looks like a 4 year old.

2. I have a hard time believing that any parent would take their child on a week long hiking trip while she is still in physical therapy for a serious knee injury. Who would do that?

Other than those two things I loved it ha ha.

[Heaven Adore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I almost cried so many times while reading this book. It's full of so much emotion! I love how descriptive the author wrote this book. You can feel what Massie felt and visualize everything. This was so well written, and I would totally read it again. ❤