Beyond the Bright Sea

 Beyond the Bright Sea by Lauren Wolk

1.Bibliography 

Wolk, L. (2018). Beyond the bright sea. Puffin Books. ISBN: 9781101994870 

2. Plot Summary 

This is the story of a young girl who was placed in a boat as a newborn and set sail to a nearby island. Osh is the man who finds her and gives her the name Crow and raises her as his own. Osh and Crow live on a small island by themselves with a neighbor Miss Maggie who lives nearby. Crow is treated differently by the islanders; they do not want to touch her or be near her. One evening Crow notices a fire on Penikese Island, this begins an internal drive to figure out where she came from and who her parents are. In the mix of confronting a mean man who was looking for “treasure” hidden by a pirate, Crow has decided that she needs to solve the mystery of what happened to her parents and why she was left in a boat as a newborn. During her search for answers Crow comes to the realization that it is not always about who gave birth to you but the sacrifice that was made in the hope for a better life. Crow realizes she has this better life because of Osh and Miss. Maggie. 

 

3. Critical Review 

The author Lauren Wolk has created a story that has woven mystery and suspense in with historical fiction. Wolk created a character who is immediately different from others. She does not look like the others on the island, and she has come from the Penikese Island where people with leprosy were sent to live. The reader understands the historical significance and the time the story took place because it was the fear of the unknown of the disease leprosy. The author shows how modern progression of thinking works by people such as Osh and Maggie being willing to take Crow in and care for her without fearing her. The author also creatively wove a story of a girl searching for answers about her past. She was a smart girl who had to figure things out on her own. The reader begins to see the significance of how communication was done during this time period. Letters and telegraphs were an important means of communication. The means of communicating is what aided in Crow solving the mystery oof her family. It is also why it took so long because it was not possible to pick up a phone and call someone. Crow had to write letters and ride on a boat to get to other islands to find answers. The author also included notes at the end of the story that filled in gaps. The reader knew the story took place in the early 1900’s but the author confirms it begins in the1920’s. As Crow goes the Penikese Island changes from a leprosy colony to a Bird Sanctuary, the reader then finds out that Captain Kidd really did hide treasure on the islands.  

4. Review Excerpts 

Horn Book Guide Starred, 10/01/2017 

An exceptional mix of historical fiction, physical adventure, and interiority; suspense, insight, and the natural world play equal parts. An author's note provides historical background. 

Booklist Starred Reviews, 05/15/2017 

Where did she really come from? What happened to her parents, and is there a chance she has any surviving blood relatives? Crow’s quest for answers as she grapples with her uncertain identity shapes the 2017 Newbery Honor Book author’s sophomore novel. 

School Library Journal Starred, 05/01/2017 

This is a tear-jerking yet ultimately uplifting tale of establishing one's place in the world and realizing that sometimes your family is the one you make, not the one you are born into. 

Winner of the 2018 Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction - 

 

5. Connections 

• 1. Would living on a secluded island impact your relationship with others? Turn and talk with your elbow partner. 

• 2. Check out the website for the Elizabeth Islands, Cuttyhunk and Penikese Islands. Think about what it must have been like for Crow to travel from island to island. Each island represented something that Crow was trying to find. Choose an island and write about what you think Crow must have felt traveling to the island you chose. Use text evidence to support your thoughts. 

• 3. In the story the islanders are afraid of Crow. Why do you think this is? Why do you think Osh and Miss. Maggie are not afraid?