What do you think?
Rate this book
Consider the Octopus
When chance, or fate, throws two twelve-year-olds together on board a scientific research ship at the edge of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, it's not all smooth sailing!
Jeremy JB Barnes is looking forward to spending the summer before seventh grade hanging on the beach. But his mother, a scientist, has called for him to join her aboard a research ship where, instead, he'll spend his summer seasick and bored as he stares out at the endless plastic, microbeads, and other floating debris, both visible and not, that make up the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
Miles and miles away, twelve-year-old Sidney Miller is trying to come up with an alternate activity worthy of convincing her overprotective parents that she can skip summer camp.
When Jeremy is asked to find the contact information for a list of important international scientists and invite them to attend a last-minute Emergency Global Summit, he's excited to have a chance to actually do something that matters to the mission. How could he know that the Sidney Miller he messages is not the famous marine biologist he has been tasked with contacting, but rather a girl making podcasts from her bedroom―let alone that she would want to sneak aboard the ship?
Consider the Octopus is a comedy of errors, mistaken identity, and synchronicity. Above all, it is a heartfelt story about friendship and an empowering call to environmental protection, especially to our young people who are already stepping up to help save our oceans and our Earth.
Jeremy JB Barnes is looking forward to spending the summer before seventh grade hanging on the beach. But his mother, a scientist, has called for him to join her aboard a research ship where, instead, he'll spend his summer seasick and bored as he stares out at the endless plastic, microbeads, and other floating debris, both visible and not, that make up the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
Miles and miles away, twelve-year-old Sidney Miller is trying to come up with an alternate activity worthy of convincing her overprotective parents that she can skip summer camp.
When Jeremy is asked to find the contact information for a list of important international scientists and invite them to attend a last-minute Emergency Global Summit, he's excited to have a chance to actually do something that matters to the mission. How could he know that the Sidney Miller he messages is not the famous marine biologist he has been tasked with contacting, but rather a girl making podcasts from her bedroom―let alone that she would want to sneak aboard the ship?
Consider the Octopus is a comedy of errors, mistaken identity, and synchronicity. Above all, it is a heartfelt story about friendship and an empowering call to environmental protection, especially to our young people who are already stepping up to help save our oceans and our Earth.
Audio CD
First published April 5, 2022
10 people are currently reading
428 people want to read
About the author
Gae Polisner
13 books481 followersI am a wannabe mermaid and the author of THE MEMORY OF THINGS, SEVEN CLUES TO HOME and several other novels for readers young, old or in between.
Please note that, although I originally tried to assign star-ratings to my book reviews (and, thus, you will see some of my favorite books with stars), I have stopped doing so. A 3-star review, for example, can mean such different things to readers and reviewers, some rarely give more, so 3 means pretty great, to others 3 is barely mediocre. Because of this, it feels arbitrary and capricious to assign them, and I'd rather merely provide (in some cases) my brief thoughts on the book (unless I really can't help myself in giving it 5-stars, which usually means I wish there were lots more to give. . .). But for the most part, I'm only going to add the word recommended.
As for writer-me, if you want to know more about me, you can find me at my website, gaepolisner.com. You may also find me on Instagram or twitter @gaepol or on facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/gaepolisnera....
I'd love to interact with you here or there. :)
Please note that, although I originally tried to assign star-ratings to my book reviews (and, thus, you will see some of my favorite books with stars), I have stopped doing so. A 3-star review, for example, can mean such different things to readers and reviewers, some rarely give more, so 3 means pretty great, to others 3 is barely mediocre. Because of this, it feels arbitrary and capricious to assign them, and I'd rather merely provide (in some cases) my brief thoughts on the book (unless I really can't help myself in giving it 5-stars, which usually means I wish there were lots more to give. . .). But for the most part, I'm only going to add the word recommended.
As for writer-me, if you want to know more about me, you can find me at my website, gaepolisner.com. You may also find me on Instagram or twitter @gaepol or on facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/gaepolisnera....
I'd love to interact with you here or there. :)
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
June 13, 2022
An excellent read! So far, I think I have only read picture books that talked about the ocean garbage problems (The Global Ocean, An Earth-Bot’s Solution to Plastic Pollution). This middle grade book is an excellent addition to my collection of books that brought awareness to young readers about the troubles of plastics and garbage in the world’s ocean. I enjoyed following Jeremy’s view. He’s funny. Sydney’s view was good too. She’s smart and self motivated. Her mom wanted her to do something educational and she set out to do it. She’s a good role model to young readers at least the educational wise, not the lying parts. I liked that the two views explained each other’s events before they met each other. I like the big word we all learned from reading this book, synchronicity.
This book followed Jeremy, 12 as he waited at the check-in table aboard the research ship called Oceania II. His job was to check in SEAmester kids. The alternative view was Sydney, 12. She and her Nana were watching the loading docks for the real SEAmester kids with a binocular. They were planning for Sydney to get on board the Oceania II pretending to be one of the SEAmester kids for the Water Summit. Before the kids arrived, Jeremy had to visit the bathroom. Sydney ran into Jeremy at the bathroom and based on the logo on the shirt Jeremy was wearing, Sydney who questioned about signs and coincidences, knew right away what she had to do. At check-in, Jeremy realized he had invited the wrong Dr. Sydney, because instead of an adult, a kid was there. He had to make an important decision whether to let her on the boat to join the research trip or not. The story then switched to 10 days earlier following Jeremy as he traveled with his family on the Oceania II during summer break. His mom, a chief scientist. The ship they were on has technology to sweep 88k tons of garbage. His older twin siblings enjoyed the trip but he didn’t especially because he gets seasick. Sydney on the other hand, dreamed about being on the boat. She constantly saw signs that pointed her to Oceania II. Then the story switched back to the check-in part and on from there. Jeremy’s mom’s project with the ocean cleanup needed publicity and grant, Jeremy and Sydney’s mission was to achieve it.
Consider the Octopus started slow but got better later. Fantastic humor. Good jokes. An important message where kids letting kids in on the garbage problems. I liked knowing that there are people and technology out there attempting to clean ocean garbage. This story was good because it involved kids in what seemed to be an adult problems. I loved the encouragement of kids’ involvement in this story and how they can make a difference by taking part in the change. I liked learning about Midway Atoll. I never thought of it but Sydney brought up a great point about the Earth’s water being recycled and use again. Nobody is making new water. It’s definitely sad every time I see news articles talking about a marine animal washed up ashore and died because of a stomach full of plastics. My family and I haven’t drink plastic water bottles in a long time but it’s just a small step in reducing plastics that ended up in the ocean. In the story, I liked how Jeremy named out the garbage that were in the ocean. Readers can imagine what the Pacific Garbage Patch looked like as they read. A must read book and I recommend everyone to read it!
xoxo, Jasmine at www.Howusefulitis.com for more details
Many thanks to MacKidsBooks for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.
This book followed Jeremy, 12 as he waited at the check-in table aboard the research ship called Oceania II. His job was to check in SEAmester kids. The alternative view was Sydney, 12. She and her Nana were watching the loading docks for the real SEAmester kids with a binocular. They were planning for Sydney to get on board the Oceania II pretending to be one of the SEAmester kids for the Water Summit. Before the kids arrived, Jeremy had to visit the bathroom. Sydney ran into Jeremy at the bathroom and based on the logo on the shirt Jeremy was wearing, Sydney who questioned about signs and coincidences, knew right away what she had to do. At check-in, Jeremy realized he had invited the wrong Dr. Sydney, because instead of an adult, a kid was there. He had to make an important decision whether to let her on the boat to join the research trip or not. The story then switched to 10 days earlier following Jeremy as he traveled with his family on the Oceania II during summer break. His mom, a chief scientist. The ship they were on has technology to sweep 88k tons of garbage. His older twin siblings enjoyed the trip but he didn’t especially because he gets seasick. Sydney on the other hand, dreamed about being on the boat. She constantly saw signs that pointed her to Oceania II. Then the story switched back to the check-in part and on from there. Jeremy’s mom’s project with the ocean cleanup needed publicity and grant, Jeremy and Sydney’s mission was to achieve it.
Consider the Octopus started slow but got better later. Fantastic humor. Good jokes. An important message where kids letting kids in on the garbage problems. I liked knowing that there are people and technology out there attempting to clean ocean garbage. This story was good because it involved kids in what seemed to be an adult problems. I loved the encouragement of kids’ involvement in this story and how they can make a difference by taking part in the change. I liked learning about Midway Atoll. I never thought of it but Sydney brought up a great point about the Earth’s water being recycled and use again. Nobody is making new water. It’s definitely sad every time I see news articles talking about a marine animal washed up ashore and died because of a stomach full of plastics. My family and I haven’t drink plastic water bottles in a long time but it’s just a small step in reducing plastics that ended up in the ocean. In the story, I liked how Jeremy named out the garbage that were in the ocean. Readers can imagine what the Pacific Garbage Patch looked like as they read. A must read book and I recommend everyone to read it!
xoxo, Jasmine at www.Howusefulitis.com for more details
Many thanks to MacKidsBooks for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.
September 9, 2022
I love the premise of this book, though the execution is a bit convoluted. Consider the Octopus is a book addressing the conservation of the ocean. It follows two twelve year olds, one of whom ends up secretly stowing away on a research vessel. The two of them hatch a plan to bring more media attention to The Great Garbage patch. But the part actually focused on that is pretty small compared to other detail of their lives and this convoluted story of how it happens in the first place. It's a bit hand-wavy with the safety and believability of the story, which is okay for middle grade, but also felt a bit dull at points. The message is great but as a book I liked, not loved it. I received a copy from the publisher for review, all opinions are my own.
February 11, 2022
thank you Netgalley, publishers and the author for this book in exchange for a fair review My daughter (11) and I loved this book. She usually enjoys graphic novels but has been trying to read more chapter books and this book definately has her inspired to read more chapter books. She loved the characters and we got through this book on two days. I hope the author's make more books because I will definately buy them .
July 8, 2023
A fun middle grade summer story about friendship and helping to save the ocean when two seventh graders find themselves aboard a scientific research vessel for a 'sea-mester' at sea.
Sidney and JB become unexpected friends when they bring media attention to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and the damage its doing to animals and the ocean.
Good on audio and perfect for fans of books like Lynne Kelly's Song for a whale or Haven Jacobs saves the planet by Barbara Dee.
Sidney and JB become unexpected friends when they bring media attention to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and the damage its doing to animals and the ocean.
Good on audio and perfect for fans of books like Lynne Kelly's Song for a whale or Haven Jacobs saves the planet by Barbara Dee.
November 21, 2022
Great book for getting kids interested in saving the environment! Boys and girls both would love it!
January 14, 2022
Fun, funny and inspiring—this is exactly what I needed. 🐙
January 11, 2023
A fun, fast-paced adventure that delivers an important message about saving the environment in a way that kids can understand. Lots of good resources in the Authors' Note.
April 4, 2022
“Consider the octopus, dude, duh,” I say out loud to myself because sometimes it helps to talk to someone. “That part is the important part. The octopus.” (88)
And the pink octopus avatar starts the chain of events which lead 12-year-old Sydney Miller (not marine biologist Dr. Sydney Miller of the Monterey Bay Aquarium) and her goldfish Rachel Carson to Oceana II, a ship researching the Great PGP.
When seventh-grader Jeremy JB Barnes, under the custody of his recently-divorced mother, chief scientist of the Oceana II, finds himself accompanying her on her mission “to sweep and vacuum up approximately eighty-eight thousand tons of garbage” called the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, he was less than enthusiastic. “I like the ocean plenty from the beach.”
Until the high school SEAmester students arrive, he is the only adolescent on board. But tasked with the job of inviting well-known scientists to the join them, JB inadvertently sends the invitation to the wrong Sydney Miller who jumps at the chance, looking for something to do this summer now that her best and only friend has moved away. Sydney and her grandmother agree, “It’s synchronicity” (91), the simultaneous occurrence of events which appear significantly related but have no discernible causal connection. “What psychologist Carl Jung called ‘meaningful coincidences’…” (228) However, “These signs we see all the time, the universe, these coincidences that we give meaning? They only work if we want them to…” (12)
And Sydney and Jeremy want these signs to work. Hiding Sydney on the ship, sometimes in plain sight with the help of two of the SEAmster girls, Sydney and JB hatch a plan to bring about the publicity the mission needs to retains its grant. “Maybe we’re here because we’re supposed to be here. Maybe the two of us are supposed to do something really important.” (144)
When you put two of my favorite authors together, what do readers get? A fun, important adventure with engaging characters who present two voices, representing two perspectives, and who show that, according to news reporter Damian Jacks, “Mark my words: kids and our youth. That’s who’s going to really help change things..… Kids, not adults, are the future of our planet.” (171)
And there is a lot of science and information about the polluting of the oceans. “It’s amazing how many people still don’t know how much waste—garbage,” she corrects herself, “is floating in the middle of the Pacific.” (226)
Readers learn about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and its importance to our environment. Besides the garbage that is killing sea life—birds and fish, this affects all of us.
“Because every drop of water we have, all of it, circles around, evaporates into the sky, and comes back down as rain, or mist, or snow. It sinks into the ground and fills rivers, ponds, lakes, reservoirs, and the well in my backyard.
Water I shower with. Cook with.
And drink.
No new water is ever made.
This is all we’ve got.” (167)
An important read, this novel could be included in an environmental impacts study in ELA or science classes, leading to more research on the topic.
And the pink octopus avatar starts the chain of events which lead 12-year-old Sydney Miller (not marine biologist Dr. Sydney Miller of the Monterey Bay Aquarium) and her goldfish Rachel Carson to Oceana II, a ship researching the Great PGP.
When seventh-grader Jeremy JB Barnes, under the custody of his recently-divorced mother, chief scientist of the Oceana II, finds himself accompanying her on her mission “to sweep and vacuum up approximately eighty-eight thousand tons of garbage” called the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, he was less than enthusiastic. “I like the ocean plenty from the beach.”
Until the high school SEAmester students arrive, he is the only adolescent on board. But tasked with the job of inviting well-known scientists to the join them, JB inadvertently sends the invitation to the wrong Sydney Miller who jumps at the chance, looking for something to do this summer now that her best and only friend has moved away. Sydney and her grandmother agree, “It’s synchronicity” (91), the simultaneous occurrence of events which appear significantly related but have no discernible causal connection. “What psychologist Carl Jung called ‘meaningful coincidences’…” (228) However, “These signs we see all the time, the universe, these coincidences that we give meaning? They only work if we want them to…” (12)
And Sydney and Jeremy want these signs to work. Hiding Sydney on the ship, sometimes in plain sight with the help of two of the SEAmster girls, Sydney and JB hatch a plan to bring about the publicity the mission needs to retains its grant. “Maybe we’re here because we’re supposed to be here. Maybe the two of us are supposed to do something really important.” (144)
When you put two of my favorite authors together, what do readers get? A fun, important adventure with engaging characters who present two voices, representing two perspectives, and who show that, according to news reporter Damian Jacks, “Mark my words: kids and our youth. That’s who’s going to really help change things..… Kids, not adults, are the future of our planet.” (171)
And there is a lot of science and information about the polluting of the oceans. “It’s amazing how many people still don’t know how much waste—garbage,” she corrects herself, “is floating in the middle of the Pacific.” (226)
Readers learn about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and its importance to our environment. Besides the garbage that is killing sea life—birds and fish, this affects all of us.
“Because every drop of water we have, all of it, circles around, evaporates into the sky, and comes back down as rain, or mist, or snow. It sinks into the ground and fills rivers, ponds, lakes, reservoirs, and the well in my backyard.
Water I shower with. Cook with.
And drink.
No new water is ever made.
This is all we’ve got.” (167)
An important read, this novel could be included in an environmental impacts study in ELA or science classes, leading to more research on the topic.
July 15, 2024
Review coming up 👍🏻
April 20, 2022
It was cute but I really hope it would have more focus on the environmental issues… the stowaway subplot seemed to take up a lot of space. The characters were all very cute and lovable and I would have loved to see them more engaged with the real world crisis than a very low stakes one (I just never felt personally worried that anything really bad would happen if their rose was found out and I was right :/) I guess just in comparison to extinction and Texas sized garbage patches, I was looking for more engaging action. Not bad!!! I was just really wishing for more!
September 4, 2022
When I first started reading the title lists for 2022, I had this title at the top of my list. It started out really strong. I did like how the use of social media was shown- very contemporary. I liked the humor used- JB's character is very funny and Sidney is very quirky. I was really excited to see how through fiction- students may learn about The Great Pacific Garbage Patch. My issues with this book are two fold. 1. Students really don't learn much about the problem at all. It is not really until p. 225 of a 254 page book that there are some details about this important issue- about a page in an interview exchange. The note from the authors is not that great for more information- there is a list of some organizations. In fact, the story itself makes it sound like this huge vacuum and plastic eating bacteria are working. It is not until the author's note- the real update is mention. Most students will not read the author's note so authors should not rely on this part of a book to put updated material. There is not even a map. This could have been a great learning opportunity but instead was missed by spending way too much time on shenanigans and over the top stereotyped characters. The other part I disliked was using the writing vehicle of dumbed down self absorbed adults to move the story. All the lying from the grandmother and two protagonists did not have any consequences- in fact they were rewarded. I am never going to be satisfied with this plot device that more and more writers tend to use. Kids will walk away with - if the end result is worthy- then deception and putting people's safety and livelihoods in danger is okay. For this, I cannot rate this book any higher and I had such high hopes.
April 17, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book.
Two twelve year old kids, both looking for a summer adventure, find themselves in an unexpected and unlikely partnership aboard a ship working to shine a light on the concerning continued growth and formidable task of reducing and cleaning up the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Jeremy "JB's" mother is a scientist on the research ship hoping to bring attention to their work, and in a strange twist of mistaken identity, JB invites Sidney Miller to join him and the crew, thinking she is the famous marine biologist with the same name. When he realizes his error he has to decide whether to come clean about his mistake or sneak her aboard the ship and figure out a way to keep her identity and his error hidden from his mom, the captain, and the rest of the crew. It is a delightful middle grade story that will have readers reflecting on their own impact on the oceans of the world. Great book to share and promote around Earth Day!
I finished this book while on spring break in Maui. It made the impact of the book that much greater as I noticed the pieces of plastic littering the sands of the beaches, the types of straws given at every restaurant, and how the young adult workers on the whale watching boat fished a plastic bag out of the ocean with absolute glee.
Two twelve year old kids, both looking for a summer adventure, find themselves in an unexpected and unlikely partnership aboard a ship working to shine a light on the concerning continued growth and formidable task of reducing and cleaning up the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Jeremy "JB's" mother is a scientist on the research ship hoping to bring attention to their work, and in a strange twist of mistaken identity, JB invites Sidney Miller to join him and the crew, thinking she is the famous marine biologist with the same name. When he realizes his error he has to decide whether to come clean about his mistake or sneak her aboard the ship and figure out a way to keep her identity and his error hidden from his mom, the captain, and the rest of the crew. It is a delightful middle grade story that will have readers reflecting on their own impact on the oceans of the world. Great book to share and promote around Earth Day!
I finished this book while on spring break in Maui. It made the impact of the book that much greater as I noticed the pieces of plastic littering the sands of the beaches, the types of straws given at every restaurant, and how the young adult workers on the whale watching boat fished a plastic bag out of the ocean with absolute glee.
July 25, 2023
I really enjoyed the two voices in this book. There was so much to love about the two main characters and any MG book that shares information about ecology and the importance of taking care of our planet without being heavy handed is good with me. I think it could have ended when the summer ends - I didn't need the epilogue of the next summer and the summer after that, etc. but otherwise I truly enjoyed the twists and turns of mistaken identity and using social media to bring attention to a serious issue.
July 23, 2022
It's not always easy when two twelve-year-olds end up on a scientific research ship at the edge of that big ocean garbage patch, and also not always on the up and up as one has sneaked a place instead of who was supposed to be an acclaimed scientist. However, for readers who have a heavy interest in the way Earth has been changing, this is a story they will enjoy.
July 12, 2025
Good realistic fiction read aloud for Conserving Water
September 28, 2025
Great middle grades book about the great pacific garbage patch, science and environmental activism that I listened to with my 11 year old. We both really enjoyed it!
October 17, 2023
JB had one job: invite all the famous scientists and news outlets for a summit onboard his mom's research ship to save their grant from running dry. So when he discovers the socials for Sidney Miller with an octopus as her profile pic and a podcast, he thinks he's struck gold. But he invites not Dr.Sidney Miller, but Sidney Miller, middle schooler who has a pet goldfish named Rachel Carson and believes in synchronicity. JB is faced with a dilemma: let the mistaken Sidney on board as a stowaway or confess his mistake and jeopardize the whole mission?
What I loved about this one: the power two kids can have, the social commentary on the Great Pacific Garage Patch, the science and research presented to youth, the central messages about the environment, but also about friendship.
I loved the alternating points of view: Sidney and Jeremy (JB).
Highly recommend in the middle school classroom!
What I loved about this one: the power two kids can have, the social commentary on the Great Pacific Garage Patch, the science and research presented to youth, the central messages about the environment, but also about friendship.
I loved the alternating points of view: Sidney and Jeremy (JB).
Highly recommend in the middle school classroom!
March 10, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was one of my absolute favorite middle grade books that I have read so far. This book was so much fun from start to finish. JB and Sidney were both amazing characters and this book was both fun and educational.
I hope that both of the authors continue to write books together because this book was AMAZING! I highly recommend this book!
This was one of my absolute favorite middle grade books that I have read so far. This book was so much fun from start to finish. JB and Sidney were both amazing characters and this book was both fun and educational.
I hope that both of the authors continue to write books together because this book was AMAZING! I highly recommend this book!
July 16, 2023
By far one of the best books I've read this year. I loved the characters. I loved the way the story was told. I really liked the two different point of views, and I would absolutely love another book. At the very end of the book, there is a small scene where JB is older, and another book with him and Sydney as 15 year olds would be amazing. Maybe even have there friendship become something a little more than friendship? Anyway, this was an amazing book!
October 28, 2022
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
JB Barnes is forced to spend the summer before seventh grade on his mother's research ship, the Oceania II, where she is trying to arrange a conference with environmental activists and draw attention to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. The ship is also hosting a student program, SEAmester Kids. JB is checking in the summer campers before the ship sets sail, and previously had been in charge of e mailing a list of scientists and inviting them to his mother's last minute Emergency Global Summit. When Sidney Miller shows up, she wants to try to sneak aboard as a SEAmester member, but has an invitation as a scientist, since JB sent her an e mail by mistake. Sidney wants to do some activity during the summer that will get her away from her overinvolved parents, and her grandmother helps her perpetrate this ruse. She manages to get by JB by pretending to be Alex Mylanakos, but when Alex turns out to be a boy, Sidney isn't sure where she should room. The other campers are in high school, and since she's JB's age, she does look a little suspicious. Luckily, Diamond and Katie take pity on her, offer to let her share their room, and help JB hide her. Sidney is sure that she is meant to be on the ship, due to a number of odd coincidences that she decides are "sychronicity". A number of scientists do show up, and the ship makes its way to the Garbage Patch, but it's still important to alert the world about what is going on. Can the young people reach out through social media to big wigs like Damian Jacks to raise awareness about this ecological disaster?
Strengths: I have a disproportionate number of students who are interested in marine biology, considering that we live in the middle of Ohio! There aren't a lot of books involving children sailing, and this reminded me a tiny bit of Maureen Johnson's 2007 Girl at Sea. JB and Sidney are innovative, concerned kids who hold their own with adults and high school students to effect change, and I'm always a fan of Kids Doing Things. This was a great adventure for the summer, and I loved the environmental message.
Weaknesses: I had a lot of trouble believing that Sidney's grandmother would help her sneak on board the ship and lie to her parents, and also couldn't quite believe that a number of scientists would turn up on short notice for a conference to which they were invited by e mail. Younger readers will not have any trouble with this.
What I really think: Readers of other environmentally focused books like Dimopoulos' Turn the Tide, Lorentz's Wayward Creatures, Henderson's Young Captain Nemo, or Davis' Partly Cloudly will enjoy this seafaring tale that sheds light on a horrible environmental mess that needs the attention of young, energetic people to hopefully turn it around.
JB Barnes is forced to spend the summer before seventh grade on his mother's research ship, the Oceania II, where she is trying to arrange a conference with environmental activists and draw attention to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. The ship is also hosting a student program, SEAmester Kids. JB is checking in the summer campers before the ship sets sail, and previously had been in charge of e mailing a list of scientists and inviting them to his mother's last minute Emergency Global Summit. When Sidney Miller shows up, she wants to try to sneak aboard as a SEAmester member, but has an invitation as a scientist, since JB sent her an e mail by mistake. Sidney wants to do some activity during the summer that will get her away from her overinvolved parents, and her grandmother helps her perpetrate this ruse. She manages to get by JB by pretending to be Alex Mylanakos, but when Alex turns out to be a boy, Sidney isn't sure where she should room. The other campers are in high school, and since she's JB's age, she does look a little suspicious. Luckily, Diamond and Katie take pity on her, offer to let her share their room, and help JB hide her. Sidney is sure that she is meant to be on the ship, due to a number of odd coincidences that she decides are "sychronicity". A number of scientists do show up, and the ship makes its way to the Garbage Patch, but it's still important to alert the world about what is going on. Can the young people reach out through social media to big wigs like Damian Jacks to raise awareness about this ecological disaster?
Strengths: I have a disproportionate number of students who are interested in marine biology, considering that we live in the middle of Ohio! There aren't a lot of books involving children sailing, and this reminded me a tiny bit of Maureen Johnson's 2007 Girl at Sea. JB and Sidney are innovative, concerned kids who hold their own with adults and high school students to effect change, and I'm always a fan of Kids Doing Things. This was a great adventure for the summer, and I loved the environmental message.
Weaknesses: I had a lot of trouble believing that Sidney's grandmother would help her sneak on board the ship and lie to her parents, and also couldn't quite believe that a number of scientists would turn up on short notice for a conference to which they were invited by e mail. Younger readers will not have any trouble with this.
What I really think: Readers of other environmentally focused books like Dimopoulos' Turn the Tide, Lorentz's Wayward Creatures, Henderson's Young Captain Nemo, or Davis' Partly Cloudly will enjoy this seafaring tale that sheds light on a horrible environmental mess that needs the attention of young, energetic people to hopefully turn it around.
Read
May 26, 2022What would happen if you received an email invitation by mistake and decided to accept so you could spend a week on a marine research vessel in the middle of the Pacific Ocean? Sidney Miller figures it is the perfect way to avoid going to summer camp without her best friend who recently moved to Hong Kong.
It all sounds complicated, and it kind of is. Jeremy "JB" Barnes is spending the summer with his mother on the Oceania II. His mother is a scientist studying the Great Pacific Garage Patch, a huge mass of plastic pollution threatening wildlife. JB is given the job of emailing other famous scientists to invite them to be part of a global summit onboard the ship. He doesn't realize he has made a critical mistake until the day the scientists and some essay winning high school students are arriving to board the Oceania II.
Sidney Miller mistakenly received one of the emails sent by JB. Who knew there was a Dr. Sidney Miller who specialized in marine science? With the help of her Nana, Sidney plans a way to be in Seattle when the invited guests were being boarded on the ship. When JB discovers his error and also Sidney the stowaway, he must think fast to figure out a way to cover up his mistake.
Authors Nora Raleigh Baskin and Gae Polisner teamed up to create this fast-paced, humor-filled ocean adventure. JB and Sidney have an adventure sure to entertain middle grade readers looking for a fun story and also a way to learn about a major pollution problem.
It all sounds complicated, and it kind of is. Jeremy "JB" Barnes is spending the summer with his mother on the Oceania II. His mother is a scientist studying the Great Pacific Garage Patch, a huge mass of plastic pollution threatening wildlife. JB is given the job of emailing other famous scientists to invite them to be part of a global summit onboard the ship. He doesn't realize he has made a critical mistake until the day the scientists and some essay winning high school students are arriving to board the Oceania II.
Sidney Miller mistakenly received one of the emails sent by JB. Who knew there was a Dr. Sidney Miller who specialized in marine science? With the help of her Nana, Sidney plans a way to be in Seattle when the invited guests were being boarded on the ship. When JB discovers his error and also Sidney the stowaway, he must think fast to figure out a way to cover up his mistake.
Authors Nora Raleigh Baskin and Gae Polisner teamed up to create this fast-paced, humor-filled ocean adventure. JB and Sidney have an adventure sure to entertain middle grade readers looking for a fun story and also a way to learn about a major pollution problem.
August 5, 2023
I read this book for the Charlie May Simon Award Committee. I started out really hoping that I would love this book. The premise was exciting and very interesting (not many kids/people know about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch), but it just didn't get there in my opinion. I find it very hard to believe that any grandmother would help sneak her grandchild about a boat bound for the ocean. I also find it hard to believe that so many grown adults wouldn't recognize this "Alex" person as a total ruse. It was also not very believable that so many scientists would show up last minute to take part in this ocean adventure OR that an adult would trust a child to invite such prominent people. I'm sure kids would have no issue believing any of this, but in the off chance they have doubt...it could break this story. As a parent, I don't like the message that I took away from the ending. The "it's ok to break rules as long as something good comes of the ending" feeling was just not my thing. Overall--it was a no-go for me.
April 1, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this story in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. As an adult who loves to read children's, middle grade and young adult fiction, I really enjoyed this story. I found the setting of the story, a research ship exploring the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, to be a unique and fun place to read about. JB, the son of a researcher on board, is stuck on the ship with his mother, but he has some responsibilities of his own. Including inviting both scientists and SEAmester students on board the ship. When he realizes he made a huge mistake, he does his best to cover it up, while also finding a good friend in the "wrong" Sidney Miller. I found that the book moved faster than I would have loved, and I would have liked some more of the plot to focus on the "sciencey" parts of this story. But I think that any child would love reading this story too. This was a fun read and one I recommend!
April 15, 2024
I was excited for this book, loved the subject matter and idea behind it, but I can’t say I loved how it came together. For one thing, JB is written pretty spot on for a 12 year old boy, and that means you’re spending a lot of time with a kid who’s often pretty annoying. 😂 (I was a 12 year old boy once, too, and I wouldn’t want to spend a week with myself at that age either!)
The story starts in JB’s voice and (perhaps it’s in character) he doesn’t do a great job explaining what the heck is going on or who the other people are that he talks about… and that continues, there are just too many jumpy confusion points and inconsistencies and hard to believe leaps throughout to really enjoy the story. I did like Sidney’s character and her nana though, as well as the science and nature even if that gets kind of a lighter touch than expected, and I’ll be grateful if this gets even a few more kids and parents to cast a more critical eye on our careless overconsumption and waste.
The story starts in JB’s voice and (perhaps it’s in character) he doesn’t do a great job explaining what the heck is going on or who the other people are that he talks about… and that continues, there are just too many jumpy confusion points and inconsistencies and hard to believe leaps throughout to really enjoy the story. I did like Sidney’s character and her nana though, as well as the science and nature even if that gets kind of a lighter touch than expected, and I’ll be grateful if this gets even a few more kids and parents to cast a more critical eye on our careless overconsumption and waste.
July 26, 2022
Sidney and JB are 12 year olds on a boat full of scientists and science kids near the Pacific Garbage Patch. I wasn't sure what exactly this book was about for a long time because it took 150ish pages for them to get to the point. We had to go through a whole business with dreams and sneaking Sidney on the boat with her goldfish named Rachel Carson (I remembered who that was, but was surprised that it wasn't ever explained really; perhaps a device to encourage kids to research?). Really the whole thing is a worthy call to examine the Pacific Garbage Patch and what contributes to it and a call to action to clean the ocean. But it takes a good long time to get there, and it doesn't really develop either the importance of the science or the strangeness of the universe bringing them together. I was underwhelmed.
May 24, 2024
I wanted this to be more "oceany." There were many references to several famous scientists, in fact that's the catalyst that gets Sydney the invite to the Great Pacific Garbage Reef. The story focuses mainly around main character JB and his job (given by his mom and new "captain"- aka bf) to contact famous scientists to attend the boat ride to bring awareness to trash in our ocean. Age appropriate drama between 12 yo Sydney and high school Seamester kids. A stowaway and a supportive grandmother help add some spice to the scenerio of getting on the ship and there is tension that Sydney aka Alex and JB will get caught.
Recommended: grades 5+
Topics: boats, activist, family, responsibility, ocean, Great Pacific Garbage Reef
Recommended: grades 5+
Topics: boats, activist, family, responsibility, ocean, Great Pacific Garbage Reef
October 16, 2021
A great story of friendship among two 12 year olds who think they don't fit in. Also, a primer on the Great Pacific Garbage Patch: what it is, how it was created, and why it's a problem. Sidney and JB meet after a series of coincidences and mix ups - or possibly synchronicity. They spend a week onboard a scientific research vessel studying the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and trying to get the media to pick up the story. A sweet, funny, and informative read. Great for classroom use in science or language arts. Also a great independent read.
April 15, 2022
Here's a surprise - a humorous story about two middle schoolers and a fish called Rachel Carson coincidentally stuck together on a marine science research vessel that is studying the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. This book while amazingly light reading still shares manageable information about the plastic pollution crisis and also empowers kids to maybe help the planet but surely help each other heal. This year's One Small Hop!
These characters and story have stuck with me much longer than I expected given the fun nature of the story -- I really believe in Sidney and JB!
These characters and story have stuck with me much longer than I expected given the fun nature of the story -- I really believe in Sidney and JB!
April 23, 2022
Heartwarming and humorous MG book! Shines an important light on the Northern Pacific “garbage patch” through the story of 2 adventurous tweens. This book would pair nicely with NF texts about this critical issue. Authors have Twitter handles for the 2 main characters to interact with curious readers. Perfect selection for #EarthDay and learning more about how to take care of our beautiful planet. Recommended!
October 27, 2022
There's a lot of information about the plastic garbage that congregates and creates large floating oceanic islands and how research and the plight of the ocean don't seem to get a lot of notice, but there is also a stowaway story and a goldfish named Rachel, for Rachel Carson, that accompanies a group of high school students and scientists on a week at sea. The story is told alternately by the two main characters. Synchronicity is an important word in the book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews