Quick Take

From the author of The Witch Boy trilogy comes a graphic novel about family, romance, and first love.Fifteen-year-old Morgan has a secret: She can't wait to escape the perfect little island where she lives. She's desperate to finish high school and escape her sad divorced mom, her volatile little brother, and worst of all, her great group of friends...who don't understand Morgan at all. Because really, Morgan's biggest secret is that she has a lot of secrets, including the one about wanting to kiss another girl.Then one night, Morgan is saved from drowning by a mysterious girl named Keltie. The two become friends and suddenly life on the island doesn't seem so stifling anymore.But Keltie has some secrets of her own. And as the girls start to fall in love, everything they're each trying to hide will find its way to the surface...whether Morgan is ready or not.

Reader's Review

Book Review Summary: The Girl from the Sea

Introduction

"The Girl from the Sea" by Molly Knox Ostertag is a captivating graphic novel that explores themes of family, romance, and first love. Set on an island, the story follows fifteen-year-old Morgan, who longs to escape her small town and find her own identity. When she meets Keltie, a mysterious selkie girl, Morgan's life takes an unexpected turn. As they fall in love and navigate the challenges of their relationship, both Morgan and Keltie must confront their secrets and confront the consequences of their choices.

About Molly Knox Ostertag

Molly Knox Ostertag, the author of "The Girl from the Sea," is a talented illustrator and graphic novelist known for her vivid storytelling and stunning artwork. Born in upstate New York, Ostertag grew up immersed in fantasy and adventure, which influenced her artistic style. She graduated from the School of Visual Arts in 2014 and has since created a webcomic called "Strong Female Protagonist." With a passion for women in fiction, fantasy, and sci-fi, as well as superheroes and history, Ostertag brings a unique perspective to her work.

Analysis of Views

Emotional Engagement: Readers praised "The Girl from the Sea" for its ability to evoke emotions and resonate with their own experiences. The book's exploration of first loves, coming out, and friendships struck a chord with readers who could relate to Morgan's struggles and triumphs.
Artistic Merit: The book's art style was widely praised for its beauty and eye-catching illustrations. Readers appreciated the detailed and realistic portrayal of characters, which added depth to the story and enhanced their reading experience.
Realistic Friendship Dynamics: Many readers appreciated the authenticity of Morgan's friend group, finding it relatable and enjoyable to read about. The portrayal of teenage friendships in the book was praised for its realism and ability to capture the complexities of relationships.
Positive Representation: Readers appreciated the positive representation of queer characters in the book. The portrayal of Morgan's coming out journey and her relationship with Keltie was seen as a refreshing and positive representation of LGBTQ+ experiences.
Heartwarming Storytelling: The book's heartwarming narrative and wholesome themes resonated with readers. The story's focus on love, friendship, and personal growth was seen as a delightful and uplifting read.

Reasons for Recommendation

Emotional Connection: Readers found "The Girl from the Sea" to be emotionally engaging and relatable. The book's exploration of first loves, coming out, and personal growth resonated with readers, creating an emotional connection that made it difficult to put down.
Beautiful Artwork: The stunning artwork in "The Girl from the Sea" was widely praised for its beauty and eye-catching illustrations. Readers appreciated the attention to detail and the realistic portrayal of characters, which added depth to the story and enhanced their reading experience.
Authentic Friendship Dynamics: The authentic portrayal of teenage friendships in "The Girl from the Sea" was seen as a strength of the book. Readers found it relatable and enjoyable to read about Morgan's interactions with her friends, which added depth to the overall narrative.

Reasons for Not Recommendation

Shallow Depth: Some readers felt that "The Girl from the Sea" lacked depth in its exploration of being gay. They felt that there was not enough drama or action in the book, making it less engaging compared to other books for a younger audience.
Misaligned Characterization: A few readers expressed disappointment with Morgan's characterization. They felt that she was portrayed as moody and selfish, abandoning her family and friends for her own desires without facing any consequences or apologizing for her actions. This characterization did not resonate with some readers.

Conclusion

"The Girl from the Sea" by Molly Knox Ostertag is a captivating graphic novel that explores themes of family, romance, and first love. Through its beautiful artwork, realistic characterizations, and heartwarming storytelling, the book resonates with readers on an emotional level. While some readers found it shallow or misaligned in certain aspects, overall "The Girl from the Sea" is recommended for those seeking an engaging and relatable queer romance with a gentle environmental twist.