Sea Legs

Based on debut author Bakes’s childhood experiences sailing with her parents, this buoyant graphic novel follows the adventures of Janey as she sails the Caribbean during her fourth grade year in the mid-1990s. The family leaves Indian Harbor Beach, Fla., where they had moored long enough for Janey to go to school and make a best friend. But now that she’s at sea, her mother is her teacher, and she rarely encounters other kids. When they anchor in St. Thomas, Janey meets older (and cooler) Astrid, who experiences emotional and physical abuse from her alcohol-dependent father. The girls soon become each other’s support system and bond over the contradiction of cohabitating in confined quarters and luxuriating in the vastness of the open ocean while living on a boat. Vibrant artwork by Smith (The Golden Hour) bursts with tropical colors and includes detailed nautical diagrams and maps throughout. Together, the creators skillfully recreate the unique experience of living at sea, infusing the story with humor and intense emotion that invites readers to partake in a shared adventure. Janey is depicted with pale skin and Astrid is shown with tan skin. Ages 8–12. Illustrator’s agent: Charlie Olsen, InkWell Management. (Feb.)