Olive’s Ocean
Written by: Kevin Henkes
Harper Collins
Recommended for ages 11 and up
$19.99

Originally, the cover of this book caught my eye and enticed me to see what it was all about. As with most of Kevin Henkes’ work, the story proved to be just as good as the book jacket design.

Twelve-year-old Martha Boyle is spending two weeks of the summer at her grandmother’s home near the ocean. Although Martha’s whole family is there with her, she prefers to spend much of her time alone trying to make sense of the odd connection she feels to a young girl who has just died in an accident.

Olive was a strange child who came to Martha’s school mid-year and never really made friends with anyone. After dying in a tragic bicycle accident, Olive’s private journal was discovered by her mother and a very important piece of it was given to Martha. How could she have made such an impact on this person when she hardly knew her at all?

The Manning boys have always been a part of Martha’s summer experience but now everyone is one year older and things are slightly different in an adolescent way. The boys take an interest in Martha and she is not sure how to respond. When Martha is embarrassed by one of the brothers, will her brother, Vince, stand up for her or go along with the prank? Martha is also wondering if this will be her last summer with her grandmother? Much is changing in the Boyle family and Martha is coping with the changes in her own serious way.

Henkes has written many other great stories including Wemberly Worried, Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse, Words of Stone and Sun and Spoon.