| Author | Message | ||
| Moira |
I put off reading this book originally, because I was not in the mood for a dark discussion of early death, which is what I was afraid this was. When I did finally sit down to read it, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. Henkes drives the story forward with short chapters and very clear narration. I was very impressed with the family that Kevin Henkes has created in Olive's Ocean. It is an image of a middle class family struggling through their many problems, but the children (despite their frustrations with the parents) have a positive relationship. I think this will resonate with many young readers. For example, when Martha and her father stand looking out into the ocean after Olive has just held hand with Jimmy, he says "You know when you were little and tired like this, I'd throw you over my shoulder and carry you home like a sack of rice. Sometimes I wish you were still that little. I wish I could still do that" and despite Martha's embarrassment, "she wished it too...with all her heart." (110) It is this hovering between the child and young adult worlds that Henkes portrays so well in this coming of age tale. There were moments that the plot seemed contrived (such as Tate running after the van the day the Boyles leave) however, the touching undercurrent of bringing Olive her ocean, and the characters who want to be "brave", set this book apart. |
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| Jenn |
Martha and her family are set to leave for the Cape when a recently deceased classmates’ mother stops by. She gives Martha a page from her daughter’s diary/journal in which Olive declares her dreams to become a writer, visit the ocean and become friends with the protagonist, Martha Boyle (5). The plot of Olive’s Ocean follows swiftly as Martha experiences her first crush and disappointment, her own brush with mortality i.e. drowning and her grandmother’s frail health. Henkes captured the setting and relaxed attitude of the Cape well: “[Godbee and Martha] were looking out onto Buzzard’s Bay, sitting side-by-side on the old seawall on Adirondack chairs made by Martha’s grandfather” (32). At the close of the novel, Martha finally verbalizes her own dreams of becoming a writer and states” And at that very minute, what was inside her head and heart made her feel as though there was no one else in the whole world she would rather be” (200). |
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| Susan |
The characters in Olive's Ocean were believable. They were the family next door, or even closer to home. The sibling relationships were a quite realistic mix of kindness and rudeness. Of course Vince took off to spend time with the the Manning boys. Naturally Martha's dad is concerned, and nags, about his mother's health. The characters are developed by an accumulation of daily interactions/thoughts/occurences, small things taken singly, but adding up to completely fleshed-out characters. I like to see a character grow over the course of a book, and Martha certainly did in many ways, realizing she wanted to be a writer, coping with Jimmy's callousness, trying to do something kind for Olive's mother and resolving the initial problem the book presented us-Martha's connection to Olive. I was glad to read about the mundane, about every-day life because of the characters, but also because the beach setting was such a sympathetic backdrop to the story. There were family traditions to support Martha as she stuggled with her feelings. Stylistically, by having the family leave their hometown, the author gives us a chance to focus on them and their relationship in a bubble, with the only distractions the ones that relate directly to Martha's growth-her grandmother to help her articulate her hopes and disappointments and the Mannings to propel her maturation. Possibly you have guessed that I really did like reading this book. |
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| Laura |
I too liked the "family next door" theme and enjoyed the fact they were not "perfect". I found the storyline about Olive and her lack of frienship with Martha very important- it happens so much in school/life...and I know kids don't think about the person they are mean to/not friendly with dying, but it does happen. I also agree with Moira that some parts were contrived and I really was suprised when it won an honor but I think my like of the characters and themes would enable me to support it and booktalk it to the kids. |
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| Roxanne |
For those who have issues with the "contrivance," please make sure later you'll come back and post specifics when we are actually opening the forum for concerns. Thanks for the thoughtful posts so far! Anyone else? -- Roxanne |
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| Rachel |
I'm nodding with those who liked the possibilities for character development that were nurtured by being on the Cape. I think it's realistic to see the kind of searching and identity building that Martha does when you're outside of "real life" and surrounded by natural beauty. I enjoyed the conversations between Martha and Godbee. Henke could have let them get schmaltzy, but they seemed realistic in their halting, somewhat awkward tone. I'm thinking of the "Later Still" chapter, page 148. There's much Martha wants to share, but it doesn't come out all at once. Godbee and Martha share silences. |
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| Shirley |
I wasn't prepared to like Olive's Ocean but it was a book that I could have really identified with at that age--why weren't these books around in the early 60's? Martha is just so believable--the way she is surprised about Olive, the way she notices coincidences, the way she falls for Jimmy...all are so very typical. And Godbee is just so much the perfect grandmother who listens but doesn't judge or analyze. I love what she does with the baby jars and then how Martha brings back the ocean and gives it to Olive. I'm glad it won an Honor although disappointed that another book did not. But I know I am not supposed to say that here, sorry. |
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| Cherri |
I also liked Martha's relationships with various people, especially Godbee. |
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| Roxanne |
And how about the cadence of the perfectly timed sentences and paragraphs. The entire book is filled with them: Examples: P. 162: last paragraph: counting the beats: 10 - 3 - 7 - 7 - 2 - 11. Martha's feeling of disappointment and need to a swift hiding movement is expressed with these short sentences. And, then, do you see that p. 163, it is ONE LONG sentence?? Wow, and page 164, one sentence of 6 lines/a paragraph -- this rhythm matches perfectly with what is happening, the prolonged moment in her mind of her almost drowning. Henkes is a true wordsmith. Pick a page, any page, and read the sentences aloud, and see how the moment/emotion is reflected in the beat of each word, phrase, and sentence.... -- Roxanne |
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| Roxanne |
Ok... if anyone wishes to post concerns, you can certainly start -- but, if you still want to talk about the strength of the work, please do it also.. not that many people have posted here yet... |
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| Cherri |
Thanks for point out the cadence, Roxanne. I'm going to try reading some of it aloud. |
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| Katrina |
Okay, the truth. I am presently reading Olive's Ocean. it and -can you believe it?-The American Plague (thank goodness it did not make this list!) were the last two books I had to read - never found The Goblin Wood - Shirley voices my feelings about the book so far, and though I am only about half way through, and know I will appreciate the book - and MUCH could happen and I am not examining it for cadence, slap my hand! ( I had saved a reply from Patrice Kindl - whom I really like -from one of the childlit serves about analyzing works; it was wonderful. I don't still have it but probably could find it. Does anyone still subscribe? I quit because there was just TOO much.) I am also tempted to think that I will agree with Shirley about it beinga Newbery choice - especially when there were so many wonderful books to choose from! (Yes, I know that it is probably impossible to read that sentence - but I think it can be done.... ;-) )Why wasn't the awesome and fantastic Weasel by Cynthia deFelice ever chosen? Was it on a list? Is that kept anywhere, Roxanne? So far it seems like a slice of a family's life - but Tadpole was as well and I found that family more interesting. |
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| Wendy |
Stylistically, Kevin Henkes writes leaving plenty of room for reflection in Olive's Ocean. The short, titled chapters make me think that they could have originally been Martha's journal entries. Each chapter (sometimes only several paragraphs) neatly communicates the story while leaving the conflict in the hands of the reader to form opinions and reflect upon. For example, in the chapter entitled "The World is NOt What you Think it Is," p64, Jimmy shows his video to Martha, including the scenes of his bickering family. The chapter (and the video) conclude with the following question: "Families. Aren't they wonderful?" He breaks up the story so well, to breathe emotion into the drama unfolding. It almost has the feel of a play, reading the individual scenes. |
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| Ellen |
I would nod to Susan's comments, especially. The family relationships all ring true. I loved the conversation between Martha and her dad at the end of the book about their mutual attraction to writing. Goodbee is real---I can see her and hear her. The gift of Olive's journal entry to Martha sets the tone of this novel. My favorite quote: From Goodbee (p. 184) "We all trail complications." |
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| Jane |
Contrived? I didn't see anything unlikely or artificial in this book. I was struck by Henkes' ability to capture so well Martha's reluctance to share her innermost thoughts and emotions - probably for fear of ridicule or embarrassment (for good reason since she suffers from both during the course of the book) or because she doesn't understand them well enough herself to want to discuss them. Interestingly she "tells all" to Jimmy's video in regard to her feelings about Olive's death. Did Vince ever see that part of the video - or just the kiss scene? The fact that Martha felt the need to hide the jar of seawater she was bringing back was a great representation of the way we all often hide parts of our lives, not because they are shameful, but just because there are some corners of ourselves that we aren't ready to make public. I admired Henkes' ability to capture Martha's inner thoughts through her actions. |
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| Susan |
I have the books spread out on the table, and I keep picking them up, leafing through them, reading randomly, and moving them around. Olive's Ocean is the title that I am handling the most. I am impressed that nothing much seems to happen, that these are ordinary people with small problems, yet then I remember that the story starts with Olive's death, that the dad chooses to return to work, that Martha faces the first-kiss high and low emotional roller-coaster, and that these are all treated with respect. The writing is lovely, the message touching, the characters real. Then there is Tadpole. I can't help but smile. Then Despereaux, a different mouse with a heart so big there is no obstacle he will not tackle... | ||
| Roxanne |
Susan, what you are doing -- spreading the titles and looking/handling/re-reading them -- is exactly what the Newbery Committee members would be doing at this time of the deliberation process. We've talked quite a bit about quite a few books now and it is really time to make our decisions... I am going to do the same now... | ||
| Roxanne |
I'm thinking of Olive's Ocean and Keeper of the Night this morning. To me, these two are similar in tone -- reflective about Life/Death and where does one fit in in the family picture. Both are with evocative languages that bring imagery and emotion so close to the heart of the Reader. Keeper of the Night is richer -- velvety almost, because of the added layer of presenting an entire island culture whereas Olive's Ocean is gauzy and light. For this, I am leaning toward Keeper... | ||
| Cherri |
I would be comfortable with Olive's Ocean. I also keep thinking of The Goose Girl, too -- fantasy and fairy tales are not at all my usual choice in reading, but Goose Girl was so skillfully written that it drew me in and kept me interested throughout. Perhaps it would do the same with young readers. And, of course, there was Tadpole which was just plain interesting and fun to read. I'll have to keep thinking about this today. | ||
| Ellen |
I agree with Roxanne's comment on the richness of Keeper of the Night---velvet is a great term! I loved Tadpole, but am not convinced that it stacks up in literary quality against the rest. | ||
| Moira |
I totally agree with Susan that Olive's Ocean keeps coming back to me. It is the one title that truly remained with me since I first read it, and the message has stayed with me. This is a very valuable trait in a book. The voice that Henkes uses to bring Martha to life is one that will resonate will readers of that age as they too struggle with where they fit in their family and the variety of new emotions that arise. | ||
| Jane |
I'm definitely an Olive's Ocean fan. A book that can take everyday life, make it ring true in print, pass along some valuable insights and be interesting at the same time is high on my list. |