Why read Josephine Against the Sea?

Book cover of Josephine Against the Sea

Book description

Meet Josephine, the most loveable mischief-maker in Barbados, in a magical, heartfelt adventure inspired by Caribbean mythology.

“A heart-wrenching adventure with big laughs and well-earned surprises.” --Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

Eleven-year-old Josephine knows that no one is good enough for her daddy. That's why she makes a habit of scaring…

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Why read it?

2 authors picked Josephine Against the Sea as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Melissa Hope

Author

Josephine Against the Sea was a new find for me since it debuted in 2021, but I instantly connected with the trouble-maker main character. Josephine is desperate to keep her father from finding love after her mother dies, but when a vengeful sea creature tries to steal her father's heart, she must use her talent to save him before it's too late.

I loved learning about Josephine's Caribbean culture living in Barbados. It was also intriguing to read how Shakirah Bourne tackled a mother's death and its effects on the father, as this is a struggle my own characters face…

From Melissa's list on kids at odds with the sea.

Daka Hermon

Author

I fell in love with the Caribbean setting, the imagery, language, and the magic in Josephine Against the Sea. I gravitate towards books that capture my imagination and take me on an adventure and personal journey. The main character, Josephine, and her dad deal with real-life emotions—grief and loss—that I struggle with as well, and their relationship captivated me. I loved how the magical and suspenseful moments highlighted the colorful characters and captured the difficulty of healing in a new and imaginative way.

From Daka's list on dealing with grief, loss, and fear.