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Strong Like the Sea
Even though twelve-year-old Alexis was born in Hawaii, she won't surf or swim with her friends--not since the ocean and its hidden creatures swept her out to sea. Instead, she grabs her best detective hat and decodes her mom's latest challenge.
Alex's mom works in counterintelligence and leaves codes, ciphers, and puzzles behind for Alex to solve, always with a treasure at the end. It's a brilliant game between them, and Alex loves figuring out her mom's puzzles--especially the tricky ones--but when an emergency at sea puts her mom in possible danger, solving the next one suddenly feels far more urgent.
Friends help as Alex races to decipher each clue before time runs out, but when the trail leads to grumpy old Uncle, his enormous dog Sarge, and a sea turtle unlike any other, the challenge changes into something bigger than any before. With storms on the horizon and lives on the line, Alex must face her fears to solve Mom's challenge and save those she loves. With her ohana to help, she must be strong like the sea.
Alex's mom works in counterintelligence and leaves codes, ciphers, and puzzles behind for Alex to solve, always with a treasure at the end. It's a brilliant game between them, and Alex loves figuring out her mom's puzzles--especially the tricky ones--but when an emergency at sea puts her mom in possible danger, solving the next one suddenly feels far more urgent.
Friends help as Alex races to decipher each clue before time runs out, but when the trail leads to grumpy old Uncle, his enormous dog Sarge, and a sea turtle unlike any other, the challenge changes into something bigger than any before. With storms on the horizon and lives on the line, Alex must face her fears to solve Mom's challenge and save those she loves. With her ohana to help, she must be strong like the sea.
Audio CD
First published May 25, 2021
6 people are currently reading
1763 people want to read
About the author
Wendy S. Swore
8 books173 followersWendy S Swore farms on the Sho-Ban reservation where her corn maze and pumpkin patch is home to her five kids, two dogs, two geese, seven peacocks, eleven ducks, nineteen cats, and two hundred thirty seven chickens. She farms in the summers, writes in the winters, and would rather chew her leg off than eat something spicy.
Rep'd by Stacey Glick, Member SCBWI, Her debut novel, A Monster Like Me, comes out in March 2019.
Rep'd by Stacey Glick, Member SCBWI, Her debut novel, A Monster Like Me, comes out in March 2019.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
April 27, 2021
Lady Swore won my heart with A Monster Like Me, so when I got an email asking if I was interested in an ARC of her new book? I jumped all over that!
Alexis isn't as excruciatingly cute as Sophie was, but she has her own awesomeness.
I enjoyed all the little puzzles she had to figure out, and the Hawaiian setting was beautifully abundant with description.
My one issue is that Alexis came across younger than 12 years.
A great middlegrade adventure for your littluns (or yourself)!
Big thanks to Shadow Mountain Publishing for sending me an ARC.
Alexis isn't as excruciatingly cute as Sophie was, but she has her own awesomeness.
I enjoyed all the little puzzles she had to figure out, and the Hawaiian setting was beautifully abundant with description.
My one issue is that Alexis came across younger than 12 years.
A great middlegrade adventure for your littluns (or yourself)!
Big thanks to Shadow Mountain Publishing for sending me an ARC.
August 19, 2022
This was well done. For children, we have a relatable, likeable character. She has strengths and weaknesses and support from peers and adults. For adults, there are some great small details that make the story stand out.
The story is set in Laie, Hawaii. The setting is perfectly portrayed: there are details on the sand and plants and wildlife and the water but no info-dumping. The sights and sounds described really put you there.
Alex’s mother works on a submarine in counterintelligence. While she’s away, she left a series of clues and puzzles for Alex to solve. These clues are often something the reader can try to solve as well. The author even left a secret code for the reader with a message to go with each chapter; I haven’t yet solved these.
Language: Clean
Sexual Content: None
Violence: None
Harm to Animals:
Harm to Children:
Other (Triggers):
The story is set in Laie, Hawaii. The setting is perfectly portrayed: there are details on the sand and plants and wildlife and the water but no info-dumping. The sights and sounds described really put you there.
Alex’s mother works on a submarine in counterintelligence. While she’s away, she left a series of clues and puzzles for Alex to solve. These clues are often something the reader can try to solve as well. The author even left a secret code for the reader with a message to go with each chapter; I haven’t yet solved these.
Language: Clean
Sexual Content: None
Violence: None
Harm to Animals:
Harm to Children:
Other (Triggers):
June 3, 2022
Sometimes the better a book is, the harder it is to write a review that does it justice! “Strong Like the Sea” is one of those.
If you have ever travelled to Hawaii, this book will take you right back there. I got to re-experience shave ices(not shaved with a d!), the beauty of the North Shore of Oahu, the wonder of watching sea turtles; so many wonderful memories of Hawaiian trips with my family, way too many to list!
Through Alex’s eyes, the reader gets to embark on a special challenge quest set up by her mom, will experience the terror and also the joy that the ocean can inspire, and most importantly, feel the love of Alex’s ohana (“family”). Reading this was like wrapping up in a warm blanket! I guarantee that upon finishing this book, you will find yourself longing to be in Hawaii; now I’m itching to go back!
Memorable Quotes:
(Pg. 41)-“Just when I think I’ve stuffed one worry down, another pops up and takes its place like a game of whack-a-mole that never stops. Then I worry that I’m worrying too much.”
(Pg.114)-“If the coconut wireless saw me running, then the whole town knows. Under the watchful eyes of hundreds of aunties, word travels faster than a crow could fly. Neighborhood Watch got nothing on the coconut wireless.”
(Pg.211)-“A kid’s favorite book is kind of like a velveteen rabbit. They make friends with the characters and carry the book everywhere. The more tangible the tale, the more tattered the pages.”
If you have ever travelled to Hawaii, this book will take you right back there. I got to re-experience shave ices(not shaved with a d!), the beauty of the North Shore of Oahu, the wonder of watching sea turtles; so many wonderful memories of Hawaiian trips with my family, way too many to list!
Through Alex’s eyes, the reader gets to embark on a special challenge quest set up by her mom, will experience the terror and also the joy that the ocean can inspire, and most importantly, feel the love of Alex’s ohana (“family”). Reading this was like wrapping up in a warm blanket! I guarantee that upon finishing this book, you will find yourself longing to be in Hawaii; now I’m itching to go back!
Memorable Quotes:
(Pg. 41)-“Just when I think I’ve stuffed one worry down, another pops up and takes its place like a game of whack-a-mole that never stops. Then I worry that I’m worrying too much.”
(Pg.114)-“If the coconut wireless saw me running, then the whole town knows. Under the watchful eyes of hundreds of aunties, word travels faster than a crow could fly. Neighborhood Watch got nothing on the coconut wireless.”
(Pg.211)-“A kid’s favorite book is kind of like a velveteen rabbit. They make friends with the characters and carry the book everywhere. The more tangible the tale, the more tattered the pages.”
July 23, 2021
A great listen aloud! Fun especially to listen too because I could hear how everything was pronounced. It's about a 12 year old girl living near the PCC in Hawaii. It talks about ohana-family, how a mother chooses to be close to her daughter even though she sometimes she is working far away, grumpy uncles, fears, codes and ciphers, emergencies, life on the islands, history of Hawaii and much more. The ends notes are really fun too. It tells about people who live there and why. Their favorite foods, the culture and community.
The love the "coconut wireless" I think it was called.
Also helpful were the reviews of some of the other readers on Amazon.
I guess I need the "book" book too. Sooooo many great quotes and thoughts.
I guess there is a secret code for readers to decode too. Miss that because I listened to the book.
Great read even if you're not in 4th-6th grade.
The love the "coconut wireless" I think it was called.
Also helpful were the reviews of some of the other readers on Amazon.
I guess I need the "book" book too. Sooooo many great quotes and thoughts.
I guess there is a secret code for readers to decode too. Miss that because I listened to the book.
Great read even if you're not in 4th-6th grade.
June 6, 2021
Strong Like The Sea is another super Middle-Grade book by author Wendy S. Swore. Again, there is a strong focus on family and sticking together. The story takes place in Oahu, Hawaii. Swore does a wonderful job of bringing to life Hawaiian culture and heritage. The main character is 12 years old Alexis who lives a busy life. She's always trying to please her mom and be just like her. Her mother is a very intelligent woman who works as a contractor for the US Navy and is often gone away from home on a submarine. Alexis is often left with puzzles and codes that she tries to figure out while mom is away. This was such an enjoyable part of the book. I had fun trying to figure out the codes and puzzles, so I know that kids from 9-14 will love it even more.
Some big issues are going on during the story such as Alexis dealing with one parent gone a lot, the other parent working overtime, and her extreme fear of the water. With the help of her sweet Auntie Kama and her gruff and grumpy Uncle Tanaka, Alexis receives help and support with her school work and with her emotional issues. I truly loved both of these characters in their grandparent roles, and I especially grew to love Uncle who also needed Alexis. With the help of Uncle's sea turtle, Saisei, and his dog Sarge, Alexis learns lessons and lives her family's motto of "Rise where you stand". There are such excellent things for tweens and teens to learn from reading this book. They'll also find many things they can relate to such as school rivalries, friendships, and especially love for family. Strong Like The Sea is another Middle-Grade Book that will provide a great read for families, classes, tweens, and teens.
Some big issues are going on during the story such as Alexis dealing with one parent gone a lot, the other parent working overtime, and her extreme fear of the water. With the help of her sweet Auntie Kama and her gruff and grumpy Uncle Tanaka, Alexis receives help and support with her school work and with her emotional issues. I truly loved both of these characters in their grandparent roles, and I especially grew to love Uncle who also needed Alexis. With the help of Uncle's sea turtle, Saisei, and his dog Sarge, Alexis learns lessons and lives her family's motto of "Rise where you stand". There are such excellent things for tweens and teens to learn from reading this book. They'll also find many things they can relate to such as school rivalries, friendships, and especially love for family. Strong Like The Sea is another Middle-Grade Book that will provide a great read for families, classes, tweens, and teens.
September 5, 2022
"I like this book because it teaches you how to be strong when you're afraid." -Cadee, age 10
May 5, 2021
This is the story of a girl living in Hawaii with her mother and father. It puts you right in the midst of local Hawaiian culture and colloquialism, which was fun. It does offer a glossary in the back defining many of these unfamiliar (to mainlanders) words. Personally, I think it could have benefited from adding pronunciation guides as well.
This cute book has a lot going for it. It is well written. The setting is descriptive and fun. The characters are well drawn. And the themes are fantastic. I enjoyed all the codes our little heroine must crack. This did drag for me a bit, which I think is because there is just so much going on for one novel. I felt overwhelmed for this poor girl with so much to deal with in her young life, much of which seemed to be pressures put on her by the adults in her life. Perhaps that is realistic for many young people these days.
This cute book has a lot going for it. It is well written. The setting is descriptive and fun. The characters are well drawn. And the themes are fantastic. I enjoyed all the codes our little heroine must crack. This did drag for me a bit, which I think is because there is just so much going on for one novel. I felt overwhelmed for this poor girl with so much to deal with in her young life, much of which seemed to be pressures put on her by the adults in her life. Perhaps that is realistic for many young people these days.
April 11, 2021
A richly embroidered cast of multi-generational characters, a thoughtful exploration of our oceans, and the true meaning of family all combine to make this a thoroughly satisfying heartfelt story. Island life in Hawaii is beautifully depicted—not the island of tourists but the one of year-round residents—as is the sometimes-sharp contrast between residents and holiday visitors. Swore has crafted another gentle, moving tale of the value of family, the importance of environmental conservation, and finding the strength to overcomes ones fears.
This book is a solid addition to middle grade collections with its themes of perseverance, family, friendship, and environmental conservation. The puzzles and codes left behind by Alex’s mother will keep readers turning the pages to see what mystery is finally revealed.
Suited for grades 4-8
Thank you to Shadow Mountain press for the ARC.
This book is a solid addition to middle grade collections with its themes of perseverance, family, friendship, and environmental conservation. The puzzles and codes left behind by Alex’s mother will keep readers turning the pages to see what mystery is finally revealed.
Suited for grades 4-8
Thank you to Shadow Mountain press for the ARC.
April 10, 2021
Good vibes even through family struggles in this this middle-grade story with a deeper and different perspective of the Hawaiian Islands residents.
Read
October 17, 2022My daughters and I recently finished reading this book together, and it was so good!
Alexis lives in Hawaii, but after a bad experience involving a moray eel, she prefers to avoid the ocean. Her mom, an intelligence contractor often away working on US navy submarines, leaves coding puzzles and hunts for Alexis to complete, giving them a connection even when they’re apart. Alexis’s latest assignment includes helping her mom’s grumpy adopted uncle with his work, and I loved how that relationship developed for Alexis and for Uncle Tanaka. They both ended up stretching and helping each other. I really enjoyed how not only Alexis and her Uncle, but also most of the other characters (like her dad and her friends) also grew and learned important lessons throughout the story. The coding and the vivid Hawaiian setting were also well done.
I asked my kids what they most liked, and one said the plot and the other said the setting. If you (or your children) enjoy middle-grade fiction, or if you just want to take a trip to Hawaii without boarding a plane, I recommend checking out this book.
Thanks to the publisher for the lovely print arc!
Alexis lives in Hawaii, but after a bad experience involving a moray eel, she prefers to avoid the ocean. Her mom, an intelligence contractor often away working on US navy submarines, leaves coding puzzles and hunts for Alexis to complete, giving them a connection even when they’re apart. Alexis’s latest assignment includes helping her mom’s grumpy adopted uncle with his work, and I loved how that relationship developed for Alexis and for Uncle Tanaka. They both ended up stretching and helping each other. I really enjoyed how not only Alexis and her Uncle, but also most of the other characters (like her dad and her friends) also grew and learned important lessons throughout the story. The coding and the vivid Hawaiian setting were also well done.
I asked my kids what they most liked, and one said the plot and the other said the setting. If you (or your children) enjoy middle-grade fiction, or if you just want to take a trip to Hawaii without boarding a plane, I recommend checking out this book.
Thanks to the publisher for the lovely print arc!
May 11, 2021
*I received a free ARC of this book, with thanks to the author, Shadow Mountain Publishing and NetGalley. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*
From the very beginning, and throughout the story, I was struck by the atmospheric setting. Hawaii came to life, to the extent that it almost felt like another main character: the language, the food, the flora and fauna, the sea and shore, the cultural practices and beliefs. These touches pervade the narrative, without ever overwhelming it, weaving smoothly in and out of the plot and characters, inseparable from any of them. I felt completely transported to somewhere unfamiliar, but inexplicably ‘home’.
Alex has an unusual life though, even when compared to her local friends instead of a middle-aged blogger in the UK! Her mother works for the government, doing top-secret, classified work, and leaves Alex spy-type challenges to solve while she is away on her missions. Meanwhile, her dad deals with his worries about her mum’s dangerous career by scheduling every second of their lives minutely, but forgetting to check what Alex might want or need to add to The Schedule. And if it isn’t on The Schedule, it isn’t happening.
So far, so much pressure. I spend the majority of the book wondering how on earth Alex was managing to function at all, crushed by the weight of her parent’s expectations and issues, and even more so by her own burning desperation to follow in her mum’s footsteps exactly – every milestone, every prize, every clue solved. Where is the time to just be a child, to just be herself, Alex?! Add to that a crippling fear of the ocean – living in Hawaii! – and you have the perfect recipe for an emotional breakdown.
Still, as a reader I was apart from all of that pressure and able to just enjoy trying to solve the puzzles myself! There is loads of fun to be had here: word puzzles, picture puzzles, symbols and ciphers. I can’t say I beat Alex to many of them (maybe not ANY of them!) but I got a lot of enjoyment from trying anyway. And there is an added bonus of a puzzle hidden in the book just for eagle-eyed readers to solve: a ‘secret ocean code’. Not a spoiler – I didn’t solve it, so let me know if you do!
I felt just a little flat at the end, because I didn’t feel that the big climactic moments in the story fully resolved that huge tension between the plans Alex’s parents have for her and the desires she has of her own. They touch upon the subject, and skirt around each others feelings about it, and the tension does lower from the boiling point to a background simmer, but I couldn’t help feeling that it may crop up again, as soon as the next stressful situation comes along. The more I reflected on it though, the more realistic I felt that was, as most huge, emotional family dramas cannot easily be resolved within such a short period of time.
I’ve been really impressed by both of the middle-grade books I have read from this author, and can’t wait to introduce Minishine to Alex and Sophie (A Monster Like Me) – a brilliant pair of young heroines, in a pair of thoughtful and thought-provoking coming-of-age/family-issue standalone novels.
'Mom might love me with riddles and codes, but Dad loves me with golden spirals and supply bags. I’ll have to do something extra nice for him to say thank you. Maybe I’ll pick up some li hing strawberry belts or crack seed from Sam’s store on the way home.'
– Wendy Swore, Strong Like the Sea
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...
From the very beginning, and throughout the story, I was struck by the atmospheric setting. Hawaii came to life, to the extent that it almost felt like another main character: the language, the food, the flora and fauna, the sea and shore, the cultural practices and beliefs. These touches pervade the narrative, without ever overwhelming it, weaving smoothly in and out of the plot and characters, inseparable from any of them. I felt completely transported to somewhere unfamiliar, but inexplicably ‘home’.
Alex has an unusual life though, even when compared to her local friends instead of a middle-aged blogger in the UK! Her mother works for the government, doing top-secret, classified work, and leaves Alex spy-type challenges to solve while she is away on her missions. Meanwhile, her dad deals with his worries about her mum’s dangerous career by scheduling every second of their lives minutely, but forgetting to check what Alex might want or need to add to The Schedule. And if it isn’t on The Schedule, it isn’t happening.
So far, so much pressure. I spend the majority of the book wondering how on earth Alex was managing to function at all, crushed by the weight of her parent’s expectations and issues, and even more so by her own burning desperation to follow in her mum’s footsteps exactly – every milestone, every prize, every clue solved. Where is the time to just be a child, to just be herself, Alex?! Add to that a crippling fear of the ocean – living in Hawaii! – and you have the perfect recipe for an emotional breakdown.
Still, as a reader I was apart from all of that pressure and able to just enjoy trying to solve the puzzles myself! There is loads of fun to be had here: word puzzles, picture puzzles, symbols and ciphers. I can’t say I beat Alex to many of them (maybe not ANY of them!) but I got a lot of enjoyment from trying anyway. And there is an added bonus of a puzzle hidden in the book just for eagle-eyed readers to solve: a ‘secret ocean code’. Not a spoiler – I didn’t solve it, so let me know if you do!
I felt just a little flat at the end, because I didn’t feel that the big climactic moments in the story fully resolved that huge tension between the plans Alex’s parents have for her and the desires she has of her own. They touch upon the subject, and skirt around each others feelings about it, and the tension does lower from the boiling point to a background simmer, but I couldn’t help feeling that it may crop up again, as soon as the next stressful situation comes along. The more I reflected on it though, the more realistic I felt that was, as most huge, emotional family dramas cannot easily be resolved within such a short period of time.
I’ve been really impressed by both of the middle-grade books I have read from this author, and can’t wait to introduce Minishine to Alex and Sophie (A Monster Like Me) – a brilliant pair of young heroines, in a pair of thoughtful and thought-provoking coming-of-age/family-issue standalone novels.
'Mom might love me with riddles and codes, but Dad loves me with golden spirals and supply bags. I’ll have to do something extra nice for him to say thank you. Maybe I’ll pick up some li hing strawberry belts or crack seed from Sam’s store on the way home.'
– Wendy Swore, Strong Like the Sea
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...
January 30, 2025
It's been almost four years since I started this book and I still haven't picked it back up. Recently, I tried skimming through what I'd read, and while it did jog my memory, I just didn't care enough about the characters or the story to start over or continue. I had previously jotted a few thoughts down on sticky notes, so I'll share what those were at least.
1) Glasses. The main character makes a huge deal - several times if I remember correctly - about needing her glasses; however, they're not portrayed on the cover. This has nothing to do with the story, I know, but it was a small detail that stood out. It honestly felt like they were brought up at least once every few pages, so it just seems like something an artist would want to include in their depiction of the character.
2) Mom obsession. Unhealthy perspective/comparison. "If mom got a clue like this bottle at her job, she'd probably be done already and on to her second clue by now. 'If I could figure out how to think like her, I'd be faster.'" It would have been nice if the main character had her own way of doing things instead of only wanting to be like her mom. Idolizing a parent, especially as a young child, is expected. This just felt like more than that.
3) Um...why? "'Pfft. And the wind doesn't blow. Fo' reals!'" Some of the language and dialogue used in this book was super cringey and felt weird when it was attributed to adults.
I do remember liking the Hawaiian setting and the descriptions of places the main character visited. At the end of the day, it simply wasn't a book I wanted to finish, and it was time for it to come off my "Currently Reading" shelf.
I put the date I finished it as December 31, 2024 so it didn't count towards any of my 2025 challenges!
I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Any quotes I use are from an unpublished copy and may not reflect the finished product.
1) Glasses. The main character makes a huge deal - several times if I remember correctly - about needing her glasses; however, they're not portrayed on the cover. This has nothing to do with the story, I know, but it was a small detail that stood out. It honestly felt like they were brought up at least once every few pages, so it just seems like something an artist would want to include in their depiction of the character.
2) Mom obsession. Unhealthy perspective/comparison. "If mom got a clue like this bottle at her job, she'd probably be done already and on to her second clue by now. 'If I could figure out how to think like her, I'd be faster.'" It would have been nice if the main character had her own way of doing things instead of only wanting to be like her mom. Idolizing a parent, especially as a young child, is expected. This just felt like more than that.
3) Um...why? "'Pfft. And the wind doesn't blow. Fo' reals!'" Some of the language and dialogue used in this book was super cringey and felt weird when it was attributed to adults.
I do remember liking the Hawaiian setting and the descriptions of places the main character visited. At the end of the day, it simply wasn't a book I wanted to finish, and it was time for it to come off my "Currently Reading" shelf.
I put the date I finished it as December 31, 2024 so it didn't count towards any of my 2025 challenges!
I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Any quotes I use are from an unpublished copy and may not reflect the finished product.
May 25, 2021
This book puts you right in Hawaii and it literally comes to life. You feel like you are there. The author does a phenomenal job at transporting you there which is always great when you are reading but especially when it comes to children's books. You want them to escape in a book and that is exactly what this books does for you. Not only are you transported to Hawaii but you get to meet this amazing girl named Alex. Her parents are quite unique as her mom works for a government agency doing classified work. I thought it was neat that she would leave Alex spy type challenges when she was gone for work. Her dad however is in a constant state of worry for his wife and cannot let go of "the schedule" .Very Type A personality. If its not on "The Schedule" it isn't happening.
I felt bad for Alex. Her parents set way too high expectations and she of course wants to please them. She also sets high expectations for herself as she wants to be just like her mom. Seriously I was stressed out for her! Oh and the cherry on top she doesn't know how to swim but lives in this amazing island!
Overall this was a great children's book. I can see this being a good read aloud or a book for older elementary to middle schoolers. The puzzles inside the book were fun to decipher and I can see how this would be enjoyable for kids.
May 26, 2021
Strong Like the Sea shares a story that most kids can relate to...trying to overcome fears, learning to reach out to others, and dealing with stressful circumstances that you don't have control over. Alexis learns to grow strong through her trials. The lesson of being "strong like the sea" is a lesson that readers can apply to their own lives and take with them in their own trials and circumstances. I liked that this story has a moral and teaches lessons that kids can utilize. The story also goes above and beyond and shares a little bit in the history of ciphers during WWII, Hawaiian culture and history, and a little bit of oceanography. Strong Like the Sea's characters are likable, engaging and interesting. The story moves quickly. Kids will enjoy reading this story and it would be a fun read for the summer. This book is wholesome and clean. It would also be good for classroom use. There are many discussion points throughout the book that range from feelings to science.
Please note that I received a free copy, however, this is my honest opinion.
Please note that I received a free copy, however, this is my honest opinion.
April 29, 2022
I enjoy Wendy Swore's gentle MG novels and this one, her newest, is no exception. My favorite thing about it, I think, is the strong sense of place. Laie, Hawaii, really comes alive in the book. I've been to Laie, but now I feel like I know the REAL Laie! The characters are also very sympathetic and likable. Alex is a kind, sensitive girl who's surrounded by friends and family who are also warm, compassionate, and supportive. As far as plot goes...at 287 pages, STRONG LIKE THE SEA is long for a contemporary MG story and it does feel slow at times. The treasure hunt/puzzle aspect is fun, but even that got a little dull for me, especially since it ends in such an anti-climatic way for something that's so central to the plot. True, solving the challenge isn't really what this book is about, but still. At its heart, this novel is a sweet story about family, friendship, respecting the natural world, overcoming fear, and finding the inner strength that's within each of us. I didn't love the book, but I liked it overall.
If I could, I would give STRONG LIKE THE SEA 3 1/2 stars; since I can't, I'm rounding up.
If I could, I would give STRONG LIKE THE SEA 3 1/2 stars; since I can't, I'm rounding up.
August 19, 2025
This was such an adorable, heartwarming novel! Now Hawaii has moved up on my travel list. I want to go soooo bad and I have a new bucket list item to see a rainbow eucalyptus tree!
Swore does a great job at addressing tough topics like parents away for work, deteriorating health and disease of a loved one, trauma, and phobias. This is an excellent book for middle grade readers and adults alike.
Swore does a great job at addressing tough topics like parents away for work, deteriorating health and disease of a loved one, trauma, and phobias. This is an excellent book for middle grade readers and adults alike.
March 29, 2022
This book is a sweet and touching story about a girl who lives in Hawaii but is afraid of the ocean. Her mom is a super smart military person away a lot, her dad is a diving teacher and she stays much of the time with her aunt and grumpy uncle who turns into a sympathetic character who introduces her to an ancient sea turtle. Through the book, Alex is trying to solve clues left by her mom, and it motivates her. I loved it. I felt like I was in Hawaii again.
October 6, 2021
Cute little story about family 😀.
April 25, 2021
This book made me crave Spam, no joke. I highly enjoyed this book.
July 22, 2021
Adorable book with fun twists and turns. It made me want to go visit Hawaii!
March 30, 2021
Alex is a bright and precocious character. She is struggling to find where she belongs as most do at the age of 12. She has a great group of friends and an Ohana that gives her support and strength.
I have never visited Hawaii and haven't had more than a passing desire to do so, however, this book opened up a whole world of the islands that caused me to want to visit. I love the relationships in this book and the attention of dealing with true to life situations such as a parent traveling for work, friends that are overscheduled, and considering the feelings of others. There are lessons on prioritizing tasks and learning patience.
I loved this story. The puzzles and codes were fascinating in the way they were presented, as well as information about code breakers.
At the heart of this story was building relationships, with family and with friends, it was prioritizing people and knowing what was most important.
Even through her mom traveling for work, I could see her mother's touch and importance in the family. I liked the concept of Talk Story where they took Alex aside and gave her a safe way to approach her feelings. I appreciated the adults that took her aside sharing their own vulnerabilities in order to help her process what she was feeling and why she would do what she did. It was important that they valued what she felt and what she had to say even when she didn't understand it herself.
The writing was strong, the characters were fantastic and well developed. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and the subject matter. I have been pleased with the books I have read by this author. The focus is on real life situations and how they are viewed through the eyes of the child. It gives me as a parent a different look at how a child might see a situation that we see as "grown up" and gives me pause how to better handle a similar situation.
I received an early copy from the publisher and this is my honest review.
I have never visited Hawaii and haven't had more than a passing desire to do so, however, this book opened up a whole world of the islands that caused me to want to visit. I love the relationships in this book and the attention of dealing with true to life situations such as a parent traveling for work, friends that are overscheduled, and considering the feelings of others. There are lessons on prioritizing tasks and learning patience.
I loved this story. The puzzles and codes were fascinating in the way they were presented, as well as information about code breakers.
At the heart of this story was building relationships, with family and with friends, it was prioritizing people and knowing what was most important.
Even through her mom traveling for work, I could see her mother's touch and importance in the family. I liked the concept of Talk Story where they took Alex aside and gave her a safe way to approach her feelings. I appreciated the adults that took her aside sharing their own vulnerabilities in order to help her process what she was feeling and why she would do what she did. It was important that they valued what she felt and what she had to say even when she didn't understand it herself.
The writing was strong, the characters were fantastic and well developed. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and the subject matter. I have been pleased with the books I have read by this author. The focus is on real life situations and how they are viewed through the eyes of the child. It gives me as a parent a different look at how a child might see a situation that we see as "grown up" and gives me pause how to better handle a similar situation.
I received an early copy from the publisher and this is my honest review.
May 23, 2021
It is such a fun middle-grade novel! From the cover, the embedded puzzles/codes, and the roller coaster ride of family life. I enjoyed both the adorable characters, the unique setting of Hawaii, and the beautiful themes of navigating family, friendship, and overcoming obstacles in life. Alexis is a precocious girl and loved her quest to solve her mother's puzzles as she strengthened relationships with family and friends and learned to face her fears.
February 26, 2021
Beautiful story of family and nature and overcoming!
Set in beautiful Hawaii-
All will love- especially those who find majesty in sea turtles!
Set in beautiful Hawaii-
All will love- especially those who find majesty in sea turtles!
May 31, 2021
This is a really adorable story about a young girl who has to learn to navigate her fears and challenging family circumstances and learn to do so with grace and trust in her family.
Alexis is super smart and has the most loving family and loyal friends, but there is still so much she has to learn. I loved watching her learn to trust others, open up to difficult people, and develop a stronger sense of self confidence and love for those around her. I also loved that she was clearly young. No 12-year-olds-who-mysteriously-behave-like-17-year-olds. As you may have guessed, that’s a pet peeve of mine in middle grade fiction.
In addition to the great story and character development, I loved the immersion you get into the Hawaiian culture. There were a good handful of things throughout the book that teach you about Hawaii and it’s beautiful culture, as well as a glossary of Hawaiian or ____ words at the end, a list of foods mentioned in the book and what they are, and small testimonials from people who live in Hawaii as to why they love their island. I felt that these things provided an even richer story and I know my 10 year old (who also read the book) loved that aspect as well.
Note: some potentially scary things, like fear of eels because of encounter while swimming; tsunamis, talk of volcanic eruption, and pollution of the oceans and the effect on animals; fear of losing a parent to death; parent job loss
MY 10 YEAR OLD’s REVIEW:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“I really liked this book and thought it was fun that there were kind of puzzles inside the book. Alexis was really fun and smart, I also thought that Uncle was nice and funny. Also really smart. It was a really good book.” [side note: when she finished this book, she closed it with a huge smile on her face and said “I love that ending, mom!”]
** I received a free advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Quotes I loved:
“Why not do all your notes on the computer so you don’t have to type them later?”
“I could, but I want to see it all at once. It helps me think better—like seeing my thoughts all spread out.”
She jerks a thumb at the countless papers taped to my wall. “So you’re saying it look like choke papers hung all over for no reason, but it’s really your brains splatted on the wall.”
I smirk. “Yep. Zombies would think my wall is delicious.”
“Perfect. If any show up, they can munch your wall brains while we run away. Good survival plan.”
“You do! Why didn’t you say anything? I’ve been dying!”
“Pfft. You look plenty alive. And why would I say anything? You neva ask.”
You’re stronger than you know. Look around you, and rise where you stand.
I’d been pretending to be invisible all morning, pretended so hard I almost disappeared. But Malia found me, and broke the spell, because that’s what BFFs do.
Under the watchful eye of hundreds of aunties, word travels faster than a crow could fly. Neighborhood Watch got nothing on coconut wireless.
Mom might love me with riddles and codes, but Dad loves me with golden spirals and supply bags.
All I have to do is take a few more steps... or fly. The feel equally impossible at the moment.
“There’s no shame in being afraid. Only a fool fears nothing.”
It’s not like Auntie and Uncle were smooching out anything, but the way they radiate love—tender but solid—feels way too private for me to be standing there gawking at them like a crane.
Time does funny things when word and love jumble together.
Our librarian would have a fit if she saw this book; the dog-eared pages, stains on the cover, corners worn round instead of square from being carried around in a bag so much.
“Oh, nothings wrong. This was your Mom’s favorite book when she was little. A kid’s book is kind of like a velveteen rabbit. They make friends with the characters and carry the book everywhere. The more tangible the take, the more tattered the pages.”
Sometimes storms bring hardship and pain, and sometimes they cleanse away the old grime and let people start over.
Women to study mentioned in book:
Nancy Wake (White Mouse)
Noor Inyat Khan—Sufi princess and pacifist wireless operative in fight against Hitler
Violette Szabo—gave life so other spies could escape
Odette Sanson — spy
Margaret Rock—mathematician codebreaker
Joan Murray mathematician codebreaker
Mavis Batey— cracked German enigma code and helped win the war
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Alexis is super smart and has the most loving family and loyal friends, but there is still so much she has to learn. I loved watching her learn to trust others, open up to difficult people, and develop a stronger sense of self confidence and love for those around her. I also loved that she was clearly young. No 12-year-olds-who-mysteriously-behave-like-17-year-olds. As you may have guessed, that’s a pet peeve of mine in middle grade fiction.
In addition to the great story and character development, I loved the immersion you get into the Hawaiian culture. There were a good handful of things throughout the book that teach you about Hawaii and it’s beautiful culture, as well as a glossary of Hawaiian or ____ words at the end, a list of foods mentioned in the book and what they are, and small testimonials from people who live in Hawaii as to why they love their island. I felt that these things provided an even richer story and I know my 10 year old (who also read the book) loved that aspect as well.
Note: some potentially scary things, like fear of eels because of encounter while swimming; tsunamis, talk of volcanic eruption, and pollution of the oceans and the effect on animals; fear of losing a parent to death; parent job loss
MY 10 YEAR OLD’s REVIEW:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“I really liked this book and thought it was fun that there were kind of puzzles inside the book. Alexis was really fun and smart, I also thought that Uncle was nice and funny. Also really smart. It was a really good book.” [side note: when she finished this book, she closed it with a huge smile on her face and said “I love that ending, mom!”]
** I received a free advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Quotes I loved:
“Why not do all your notes on the computer so you don’t have to type them later?”
“I could, but I want to see it all at once. It helps me think better—like seeing my thoughts all spread out.”
She jerks a thumb at the countless papers taped to my wall. “So you’re saying it look like choke papers hung all over for no reason, but it’s really your brains splatted on the wall.”
I smirk. “Yep. Zombies would think my wall is delicious.”
“Perfect. If any show up, they can munch your wall brains while we run away. Good survival plan.”
“You do! Why didn’t you say anything? I’ve been dying!”
“Pfft. You look plenty alive. And why would I say anything? You neva ask.”
You’re stronger than you know. Look around you, and rise where you stand.
I’d been pretending to be invisible all morning, pretended so hard I almost disappeared. But Malia found me, and broke the spell, because that’s what BFFs do.
Under the watchful eye of hundreds of aunties, word travels faster than a crow could fly. Neighborhood Watch got nothing on coconut wireless.
Mom might love me with riddles and codes, but Dad loves me with golden spirals and supply bags.
All I have to do is take a few more steps... or fly. The feel equally impossible at the moment.
“There’s no shame in being afraid. Only a fool fears nothing.”
It’s not like Auntie and Uncle were smooching out anything, but the way they radiate love—tender but solid—feels way too private for me to be standing there gawking at them like a crane.
Time does funny things when word and love jumble together.
Our librarian would have a fit if she saw this book; the dog-eared pages, stains on the cover, corners worn round instead of square from being carried around in a bag so much.
“Oh, nothings wrong. This was your Mom’s favorite book when she was little. A kid’s book is kind of like a velveteen rabbit. They make friends with the characters and carry the book everywhere. The more tangible the take, the more tattered the pages.”
Sometimes storms bring hardship and pain, and sometimes they cleanse away the old grime and let people start over.
Women to study mentioned in book:
Nancy Wake (White Mouse)
Noor Inyat Khan—Sufi princess and pacifist wireless operative in fight against Hitler
Violette Szabo—gave life so other spies could escape
Odette Sanson — spy
Margaret Rock—mathematician codebreaker
Joan Murray mathematician codebreaker
Mavis Batey— cracked German enigma code and helped win the war
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
May 27, 2021
Plot:
Alexis, “Alex”, always wanted to be like her mother. Her mother was brilliant, seeing patterns and solving complicated problems in everyday life, and taught her daughter to see the world as she sees it. Where the patterns do not come as easily to Alex, she was desperate to impress her mom and enjoyed solving the challenges her mother would set up for her. These challenges were a mix of a scavenger hunt and decoding clues which was a bonding activity Alex and her mom did, and it made her mom’s time away from her easier, knowing that these challenges always brought them closer. Alex’s mom worked for the navy and is often gone for weeks at a time in a submarine, doing classified work that she cannot talk about with Alex or her father. It is during these trips Alex finds it hard to connect to her mother, as to how can she be a mini-mom if mom is keeping so many secrets away from Alex? Focusing on what she can do, Alex was determined to impress her parents with her history report on Nancy Drew, but changed it to Mavis Batey, a World War Two codebreaker, after her mother’s suggestion. However, where most families have the “school comes first” motto, Alex’s parents were more focused on Alex solving her mother’s latest challenge, than her school report. Scheduling, her dad’s favorite thing, time to work on the clues as well as the report, Alex has two weeks to figure out her mom’s hardest challenge and to finish her history report, which is all due before her birthday. However, mom’s challenge is harder than Alex thought. As the clues lead Alex to the ocean, the place Alex fears the most, they also lead her to her Uncle, a man Alex only knew as grumpy, despite her mother saying he was kind. Facing her fear, Alex relies on her family’s motto “Rise where you stand” where the challenge, her relationship with her parents, her relationship with her Uncle, and her history report does not give her what she wants, but she uses what she knows to make a difference.
Thoughts:
Wendy Swore made Alex’s life come to light in this extremely descriptive story. Set in Hawaii, Swore makes you feel like you are there with the local speech (a glossary at the back to give you definitions), descriptive environment, and the general life of the book gives you that native Hawaiian feel. Swore incorporates Hawaii's lifestyle with the food Alex describes, the role of Aunties (the respectful term for an elder, in-formal family bound, no blood relation), in the neighborhood, and even Alex’s family. Alex’s Ohana is made up of her mom and dad, and her mother’s hanai (informal adoption) parents whom she calls Aunt and Uncle. With a cast of multicultural characters, from Alex’s friends to her family, Swore really dove into the cultural aspect of this novel, while keeping the main theme that many people can relate to - the absence of parents due to work. With her mom gone for weeks at a time, you can really feel Alex’s anguish of trying to live her life and impress her parents, despite her parents not being there to physically support her. Swore did an excellent job at making the parents relatable and caring for Alex, while at the same time showing different ideas that do not match up with Alex. For example, you can physically feel Alex’s frustration at her parents for giving her this challenge, where they knew she had a history report to write as well, and the feeling of being overwhelmed with the need to do good on both. However, Swore did not really dive deep into the parents' expectation, instead focused more on Alex trying to solve the challenge instead of going into why Alex feels this fear of letting her parents down and the feeling that she will never be as good as her mother at code-breaking. Instead, Swore skims that topic but focuses more on Alex’s and her Uncle's relationship as they solve the challenge together, and work on Alex’s fear of the ocean. With the theme of the story following Alex’s family motto of “Rise where you stand” Swore gives us a culturally middle-grade story involving facing your feelings, code-breaking, but most of all family, your blood one, and your chosen one.
Alexis, “Alex”, always wanted to be like her mother. Her mother was brilliant, seeing patterns and solving complicated problems in everyday life, and taught her daughter to see the world as she sees it. Where the patterns do not come as easily to Alex, she was desperate to impress her mom and enjoyed solving the challenges her mother would set up for her. These challenges were a mix of a scavenger hunt and decoding clues which was a bonding activity Alex and her mom did, and it made her mom’s time away from her easier, knowing that these challenges always brought them closer. Alex’s mom worked for the navy and is often gone for weeks at a time in a submarine, doing classified work that she cannot talk about with Alex or her father. It is during these trips Alex finds it hard to connect to her mother, as to how can she be a mini-mom if mom is keeping so many secrets away from Alex? Focusing on what she can do, Alex was determined to impress her parents with her history report on Nancy Drew, but changed it to Mavis Batey, a World War Two codebreaker, after her mother’s suggestion. However, where most families have the “school comes first” motto, Alex’s parents were more focused on Alex solving her mother’s latest challenge, than her school report. Scheduling, her dad’s favorite thing, time to work on the clues as well as the report, Alex has two weeks to figure out her mom’s hardest challenge and to finish her history report, which is all due before her birthday. However, mom’s challenge is harder than Alex thought. As the clues lead Alex to the ocean, the place Alex fears the most, they also lead her to her Uncle, a man Alex only knew as grumpy, despite her mother saying he was kind. Facing her fear, Alex relies on her family’s motto “Rise where you stand” where the challenge, her relationship with her parents, her relationship with her Uncle, and her history report does not give her what she wants, but she uses what she knows to make a difference.
Thoughts:
Wendy Swore made Alex’s life come to light in this extremely descriptive story. Set in Hawaii, Swore makes you feel like you are there with the local speech (a glossary at the back to give you definitions), descriptive environment, and the general life of the book gives you that native Hawaiian feel. Swore incorporates Hawaii's lifestyle with the food Alex describes, the role of Aunties (the respectful term for an elder, in-formal family bound, no blood relation), in the neighborhood, and even Alex’s family. Alex’s Ohana is made up of her mom and dad, and her mother’s hanai (informal adoption) parents whom she calls Aunt and Uncle. With a cast of multicultural characters, from Alex’s friends to her family, Swore really dove into the cultural aspect of this novel, while keeping the main theme that many people can relate to - the absence of parents due to work. With her mom gone for weeks at a time, you can really feel Alex’s anguish of trying to live her life and impress her parents, despite her parents not being there to physically support her. Swore did an excellent job at making the parents relatable and caring for Alex, while at the same time showing different ideas that do not match up with Alex. For example, you can physically feel Alex’s frustration at her parents for giving her this challenge, where they knew she had a history report to write as well, and the feeling of being overwhelmed with the need to do good on both. However, Swore did not really dive deep into the parents' expectation, instead focused more on Alex trying to solve the challenge instead of going into why Alex feels this fear of letting her parents down and the feeling that she will never be as good as her mother at code-breaking. Instead, Swore skims that topic but focuses more on Alex’s and her Uncle's relationship as they solve the challenge together, and work on Alex’s fear of the ocean. With the theme of the story following Alex’s family motto of “Rise where you stand” Swore gives us a culturally middle-grade story involving facing your feelings, code-breaking, but most of all family, your blood one, and your chosen one.
October 26, 2022
Twelve-year-old Alex lives in Hawaii, but doesn't go into the ocean. She had a bad experience with it when she was younger and now has a crippling fear that prevents her from enjoying swimming and surfing with her friends. Instead, she likes solving puzzles. The best puzzles are the challenges her mother, who works in counterintelligence, creates for her.
Alex's mother is currently on assignment, on a submarine - somewhere - and checks in Alex and her dad with a weekly phone call. While she's gone for this assignment, she's left a challenge for Alex to solve; a challenge that is even tougher than the ones she's had before. The puzzle clues are proving to be tricky, but when Alex's mom misses a scheduled phone call, the stakes suddenly seem much higher to Alex.
As Alex races to solve her mother's challenge, she will find herself facing all kinds of struggles - including some that have her facing her biggest fear of all.
This was such a fun book to read. It included so many aspects of life on Hawaii - not the touristy stuff, but life lived by the locals - that I almost felt like I was there. Even the descriptions of the storm were incredibly realistic.
The struggle that Alex faces about her fear of the water, including her inner thoughts, were real and raw, and elevated this book to a whole different level. Add to the the struggles that her dad is also dealing with from not only not knowing where his wife is, but also not even knowing if she's okay because they haven't heard from her and no one will give him any information about her. Those stressors are also preying on his own issues with being in control, the effects of which spill over into his interactions with Alex - some of those hurt my heart because you could feel how much both of them were struggling, yet neither of them could change/fix the problem.
I think my favorite character was Uncle. The reader, along with Alex, gets to know Uncle as the book progresses, and discover that he may not be the big grumpy old man he professes to be. And that scene at the end.... so good. No, I'm not going to tell you what it is. You'll have to read the book to find out. But you should - you really should.
For this book, I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Emily Woo Zeller. Having listened to her narrate other books, I am quite used to her cadence and think she is a wonderful narrator. She did a great job with the emotion and tension, really pulling me into the story. If you also listen to audiobooks, or even if you don't usually do so, you should give this one a try.
Alex's mother is currently on assignment, on a submarine - somewhere - and checks in Alex and her dad with a weekly phone call. While she's gone for this assignment, she's left a challenge for Alex to solve; a challenge that is even tougher than the ones she's had before. The puzzle clues are proving to be tricky, but when Alex's mom misses a scheduled phone call, the stakes suddenly seem much higher to Alex.
As Alex races to solve her mother's challenge, she will find herself facing all kinds of struggles - including some that have her facing her biggest fear of all.
This was such a fun book to read. It included so many aspects of life on Hawaii - not the touristy stuff, but life lived by the locals - that I almost felt like I was there. Even the descriptions of the storm were incredibly realistic.
The struggle that Alex faces about her fear of the water, including her inner thoughts, were real and raw, and elevated this book to a whole different level. Add to the the struggles that her dad is also dealing with from not only not knowing where his wife is, but also not even knowing if she's okay because they haven't heard from her and no one will give him any information about her. Those stressors are also preying on his own issues with being in control, the effects of which spill over into his interactions with Alex - some of those hurt my heart because you could feel how much both of them were struggling, yet neither of them could change/fix the problem.
I think my favorite character was Uncle. The reader, along with Alex, gets to know Uncle as the book progresses, and discover that he may not be the big grumpy old man he professes to be. And that scene at the end.... so good. No, I'm not going to tell you what it is. You'll have to read the book to find out. But you should - you really should.
For this book, I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Emily Woo Zeller. Having listened to her narrate other books, I am quite used to her cadence and think she is a wonderful narrator. She did a great job with the emotion and tension, really pulling me into the story. If you also listen to audiobooks, or even if you don't usually do so, you should give this one a try.
June 13, 2021
As the tides change, strength appears in the most unexpected places. Twelve-year-old Alexis Force has lived in Laie all her life. The child of two loving parents, she strives to be just like her mother, a highly accomplished woman who loves codes so much she works for the US Navy in counterintelligence. When her work takes her away from home, Alex’s mother leaves her daughter a complex series of clues to solve in the interim. This latest set is more involved than any previous editions, and through perseverance, teamwork, and a strong sense of ohana, Alex learns how strong she truly is.
Taking place on Oahu in the Hawaiian islands, this story idyllically captures the myriad feelings, foods, and cultural norms inherent to life in this tightly-knit community. From mentions of the “coconut wireless” to “chicken skin” and, of course, ohana—family connected by more than blood—readers from all backgrounds will become deeply familiar with Alex’s way of life. Hawaiian language and vernacular are incorporated throughout the narrative, appearing in standard text instead of italics as is the case in many books of this type. This decision makes the potentially unfamiliar vocabulary as intrinsic to the dialogue as it is in reality.
An extensive glossary at the end of the book includes brief definitions of many of the words included, though readers will be able to comprehend most from context within the story itself. Alongside that, readers will find descriptions of many of the foods mentioned in the narrative and a series of entries from native Hawaiians detailing what they love best about their home. Though the author is not Hawaiian herself, she has gone to great lengths to ensure accuracy in her storytelling, and her love of this land is palpable.
Strong messages of blooming where one is planted and embracing family regardless of blood relation are pervasive throughout this book. As Alex struggles to embrace her true identity, there are many challenges she must overcome, both internally and externally. Each obstacle shows Alex what she is truly capable of, while encouraging readers to bravely face their own. This wonderfully complex tale of love and perseverance is an excellent addition to libraries for middle grade readers.
Taking place on Oahu in the Hawaiian islands, this story idyllically captures the myriad feelings, foods, and cultural norms inherent to life in this tightly-knit community. From mentions of the “coconut wireless” to “chicken skin” and, of course, ohana—family connected by more than blood—readers from all backgrounds will become deeply familiar with Alex’s way of life. Hawaiian language and vernacular are incorporated throughout the narrative, appearing in standard text instead of italics as is the case in many books of this type. This decision makes the potentially unfamiliar vocabulary as intrinsic to the dialogue as it is in reality.
An extensive glossary at the end of the book includes brief definitions of many of the words included, though readers will be able to comprehend most from context within the story itself. Alongside that, readers will find descriptions of many of the foods mentioned in the narrative and a series of entries from native Hawaiians detailing what they love best about their home. Though the author is not Hawaiian herself, she has gone to great lengths to ensure accuracy in her storytelling, and her love of this land is palpable.
Strong messages of blooming where one is planted and embracing family regardless of blood relation are pervasive throughout this book. As Alex struggles to embrace her true identity, there are many challenges she must overcome, both internally and externally. Each obstacle shows Alex what she is truly capable of, while encouraging readers to bravely face their own. This wonderfully complex tale of love and perseverance is an excellent addition to libraries for middle grade readers.
May 28, 2021
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Strong like the Sea
Author: Wendy S. Swore
Book Series: Standalone
Diversity: Native Hawaiians and some culture
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: Mg readers, Mystery
Genre: MG Mystery
Publication Date: May 25, 2021
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Pages: 304
Recommended Age: 8+ (Some scary moments, Puzzles)
Synopsis: Even though twelve-year-old Alexis was born in Hawaii, she won’t surf or swim with her friends—not since the ocean and its hidden creatures swept her out to sea. Instead, she grabs her best detective hat and decodes her mom’s latest challenge
Alex’s mom works in counterintelligence and leaves codes, ciphers, and puzzles behind for Alex to solve, always with a “treasure” at the end. It’s a brilliant game between them, and Alex loves figuring out her mom’s puzzles—especially the tricky ones—but when an emergency at sea puts her mom in possible danger, solving the next one suddenly feels far more urgent.
Friends help as Alex races to decipher each clue before time runs out, but when the trail leads to grumpy old Uncle, his enormous dog Sarge, and a sea turtle unlike any other, the challenge changes into something bigger than any before. With storms on the horizon and lives on the line, Alex must face her fears to solve Mom’s challenge and save those she loves. With her ohana to help, she must be strong like the sea.
Review: For the most part I loved this cute middle grade novel. It was full of puzzles and I loved the adventure. The characters were all well developed and the world building was well done. I also liked the plot and thought it was a great read for littlies and oldies.
My only criticism of the book is that the pacing does slow down in the middle and it's a little rough getting through that section, but overall I highly enjoyed it.
Verdict: It was adorable!
Book: Strong like the Sea
Author: Wendy S. Swore
Book Series: Standalone
Diversity: Native Hawaiians and some culture
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: Mg readers, Mystery
Genre: MG Mystery
Publication Date: May 25, 2021
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Pages: 304
Recommended Age: 8+ (Some scary moments, Puzzles)
Synopsis: Even though twelve-year-old Alexis was born in Hawaii, she won’t surf or swim with her friends—not since the ocean and its hidden creatures swept her out to sea. Instead, she grabs her best detective hat and decodes her mom’s latest challenge
Alex’s mom works in counterintelligence and leaves codes, ciphers, and puzzles behind for Alex to solve, always with a “treasure” at the end. It’s a brilliant game between them, and Alex loves figuring out her mom’s puzzles—especially the tricky ones—but when an emergency at sea puts her mom in possible danger, solving the next one suddenly feels far more urgent.
Friends help as Alex races to decipher each clue before time runs out, but when the trail leads to grumpy old Uncle, his enormous dog Sarge, and a sea turtle unlike any other, the challenge changes into something bigger than any before. With storms on the horizon and lives on the line, Alex must face her fears to solve Mom’s challenge and save those she loves. With her ohana to help, she must be strong like the sea.
Review: For the most part I loved this cute middle grade novel. It was full of puzzles and I loved the adventure. The characters were all well developed and the world building was well done. I also liked the plot and thought it was a great read for littlies and oldies.
My only criticism of the book is that the pacing does slow down in the middle and it's a little rough getting through that section, but overall I highly enjoyed it.
Verdict: It was adorable!
June 20, 2021
I received an electronic ARC from Shadow Mountain Publishing through NetGalley.
Readers meet Alexis, a 12-year old who lives in Hawaii, and see how she interacts with family and friends. She is terrified of the water; eventually, readers learn why when her uncle convinces her to share with him. This fear is a central part of the story, and as you would expect, she conquers it when someone more important is in danger on the water.
The overarching themes of love and living up to expectations come through clearly. Readers also see different styles of coping when a parent/spouse is away for long periods of time. Staying on schedules is another theme that weaves through the overall plot.
For me, the book bogged down in the descriptions at times and didn't move forward smoothly. Certainly, Hawaii is beautiful and the sea creatures survival is critical, but the breaks from the story to revisit this were distracting at times. Readers also saw Alexis solve the puzzles set up by her mom but did not participate actively in the process. They remained spectators looking on as the characters interacted.
Overall, it is a sweet story about survival and overcoming fears of all sorts. Middle grade readers will appreciate the struggles Alexis and her friends walk through. We see her friends struggle with overcommitment and parental job loss in the background to Alexis' family story. Their challenges are hinted at but get resolved in the background.
The final sentence "Grow strong like my family - strong like the sea." sums up and connects the pieces throughout the book. The sea turtles hatch, her mom is home, her uncle is recovering, and she has faced and conquered her main fears and anxieties.
Readers meet Alexis, a 12-year old who lives in Hawaii, and see how she interacts with family and friends. She is terrified of the water; eventually, readers learn why when her uncle convinces her to share with him. This fear is a central part of the story, and as you would expect, she conquers it when someone more important is in danger on the water.
The overarching themes of love and living up to expectations come through clearly. Readers also see different styles of coping when a parent/spouse is away for long periods of time. Staying on schedules is another theme that weaves through the overall plot.
For me, the book bogged down in the descriptions at times and didn't move forward smoothly. Certainly, Hawaii is beautiful and the sea creatures survival is critical, but the breaks from the story to revisit this were distracting at times. Readers also saw Alexis solve the puzzles set up by her mom but did not participate actively in the process. They remained spectators looking on as the characters interacted.
Overall, it is a sweet story about survival and overcoming fears of all sorts. Middle grade readers will appreciate the struggles Alexis and her friends walk through. We see her friends struggle with overcommitment and parental job loss in the background to Alexis' family story. Their challenges are hinted at but get resolved in the background.
The final sentence "Grow strong like my family - strong like the sea." sums up and connects the pieces throughout the book. The sea turtles hatch, her mom is home, her uncle is recovering, and she has faced and conquered her main fears and anxieties.
July 25, 2021
WHAT IT'S ABOUT
Featuring a secret ocean code with a hidden message for YOU to decipher!
Even though twelve-year-old Alexis was born in Hawaii, she won’t surf or swim with her friends—not since the ocean and its hidden creatures swept her out to sea. Instead, she grabs her best detective hat and decodes her mom’s latest challenge
Alex’s mom works in counterintelligence and leaves codes, ciphers, and puzzles behind for Alex to solve, always with a “treasure” at the end. It’s a brilliant game between them, and Alex loves figuring out her mom’s puzzles—especially the tricky ones—but when an emergency at sea puts her mom in possible danger, solving the next one suddenly feels far more urgent.
Friends help as Alex races to decipher each clue before time runs out, but when the trail leads to grumpy old Uncle, his enormous dog Sarge, and a sea turtle unlike any other, the challenge changes into something bigger than any before. With storms on the horizon and lives on the line, Alex must face her fears to solve Mom’s challenge and save those she loves. With her ohana to help, she must be strong like the sea.
MY TAKE
What a delightful middle grade book. Alex has a compelling need to be as good a her Navy contractor mom who's away much of the time. Her goal at the beginning of the book is to get first place awards in both science and history--just like her mom. But her mother, who's always giving her puzzles to work out, assigns Alex a new. How can she do all three?
The reader gets to follow Alex on her puzzle journey and try to solve it along with her. Full of charming characters, Swore brings Hawaii to life and touches on some of the tough challenges, Alex especially, must face to be strong.
I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator was wonderful!
Featuring a secret ocean code with a hidden message for YOU to decipher!
Even though twelve-year-old Alexis was born in Hawaii, she won’t surf or swim with her friends—not since the ocean and its hidden creatures swept her out to sea. Instead, she grabs her best detective hat and decodes her mom’s latest challenge
Alex’s mom works in counterintelligence and leaves codes, ciphers, and puzzles behind for Alex to solve, always with a “treasure” at the end. It’s a brilliant game between them, and Alex loves figuring out her mom’s puzzles—especially the tricky ones—but when an emergency at sea puts her mom in possible danger, solving the next one suddenly feels far more urgent.
Friends help as Alex races to decipher each clue before time runs out, but when the trail leads to grumpy old Uncle, his enormous dog Sarge, and a sea turtle unlike any other, the challenge changes into something bigger than any before. With storms on the horizon and lives on the line, Alex must face her fears to solve Mom’s challenge and save those she loves. With her ohana to help, she must be strong like the sea.
MY TAKE
What a delightful middle grade book. Alex has a compelling need to be as good a her Navy contractor mom who's away much of the time. Her goal at the beginning of the book is to get first place awards in both science and history--just like her mom. But her mother, who's always giving her puzzles to work out, assigns Alex a new. How can she do all three?
The reader gets to follow Alex on her puzzle journey and try to solve it along with her. Full of charming characters, Swore brings Hawaii to life and touches on some of the tough challenges, Alex especially, must face to be strong.
I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator was wonderful!
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