Gracie Under the Waves

Living in western New York, tween Gracie is miles away from the ocean, yet she yearns to snorkel among coral reefs, especially in the Maldives. In pursuit of her dream, Gracie gathers information about a closer locale—Roatán, an island in Honduras—and presents it to her parents, including flights, housing, and beaches at which to snorkel. Her resourcefulness persuades them to book a family trip. She’s less prepared to deal with her six-year-old brother Ben, whose energy, enthusiasm, and adoration of her skills she finds annoying. Upon discovering that coral reefs worldwide are at risk due to global warming, Gracie determines to learn all she can about reef conservation during her island visit. But when she gashes her shin while snorkeling, a serious infection and strict instructions to stay out of the water threaten her health—and her dreams. Gracie is headstrong, smart, and delightfully self-directed, and her relationship with Ben is both realistic and aspirational. Using high-energy prose and high-stakes plotting, Park (My Book and Me) delivers a splashy tale ferried by an undercurrent of compromise, climate activism, and earnest love for the natural world. An author’s note concludes. Gracie and her family read as Korean American. Ages 8–12. (Sept.)