I just finished Olive's Ocean, by Kevin Henkes - a 2003 Newbery Honor Book. I sat for a moment thinking of what to write, but all I feel is a need to be home, to be content. I'm not filled with sadness, but more of a "glad I'm not a teenager anymore" thought. This is the first chapter book/novel I've read since Bridge to Terabithia, and it has a similar yet different storyline. Unlike Bridge, this book starts with the death of a young girl who is not known well by anyone at school or in her community.
The girl's name was Olive; she loved the ocean and wanted to be a writer. The reader learns this within the first few pages, but then experiences what it means to really love the ocean and be passionate about writing as the story progresses with Martha, the twelve-year-old protagonist. Many life lessons are wrapped into this book of 217 pages, encompassing death, family, crushes and finally life. And though it is all those things, it is also a story of how similar people are without ever knowing. Martha and Olive weren't even friends, yet they were almost the same person. They shared the same dreams, goals, and even the neighborhood. With Olive's death haunting her, Martha quietly questions everything she had ever done or believed. While on vacation with her family visiting her beloved yet aging grandmother (nicknamed 'Godbee'), Martha transforms from a thoughtful young girl to a deeper, wiser old soul. It was quite a journey for one afternoon of reading.
Kevin Henkes wrote an impressive story from the perspective of a twelve-year-old girl. He was able to capture much of the emotion of a young girl, the ups and the downs, the fears and the uncertainties. On pages 22-23, Martha's teenage tendencies are brought to life eloquently: "Sometimes, Martha's feelings for her mother bounced between love and hate quickly and without warning, as if her feelings were illogical, willful, and completely out of control." I think I remember what that was like!
Remembering that Katherine Paterson wrote Bridge as therapy to deal with something that had happened to her and those near her, I'm wondering what Kevin Henkes' inspiration was to write this tale of a pre-adolescent girl, learning world truths the hard way. Does he have a daughter this age? Sister? Friend? Is he one of the characters? How much is true? There just isn't enough information in the 'About Author' section at the end of the book. Maybe I'll have to read something else he's written.
2 comments:
I have been very interested in reading this book from Kevin Henkes. One reason is that it looks interesting after previewing it at the book store one day. Another reason is that this is such a departure from the Kevin Henkes I know with his picture books, especially his Lily and friends mice series of stories geared toward pre-K-2nd grade. I always find it interesting when an author has more than one facet about them as a children's author. I find them more interesting, credible, and talented when they are able to be more diverse successfully.
I have been thinking along the same lines of this thought when it comes to exploring older children's books and novels written by Cynthia Rylant through our requirements on the class syllabus. It takes me out of the range of literature (Pre-K to 3rd grade) that I am well versed in because of my teaching expereinces. I like that I am "stealing time" to read other stylings from authors I am familiar with. I will put this book on my "to read" list. Thanks for peeking my curiosity. :)
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