The Sea in Winter - Christine Day

 

The Sea in Winter - Christine Day

Bibliography: 

Day, C. (2022). The sea in Winter. HarperCollins.

Plot Summary: 

After an injury sidelines her dreams of becoming a ballet star, Maisie is not excited for her blended family's midwinter road trip along the coast, near the Makah community where her mother grew up.

Critical Analysis:

This was a lovely, moving middle-grade book about a girl struggling with a knee injury that has impacted her ballet career. So often, the concerns of middle-grade protagonists feel small and unimportant to the adult reader, but Christine Day does an excellent job making her readers viscerally feel the anguish Maisie is going through.

I loved how Day used the seasons to tell Maisie's story. The gray and gloom of winter serve as the perfect backdrop to Maisie's own struggles. She's angry and depressed, much like the outdoors in winter. But as Maisie comes to terms with the changes in her life, winter gives way to spring. The ending scenes talk of sunshine through the classroom windows, and it's clear that Maisie is on her way to better days.

The writing here is simple and beautiful. I quickly related to Maisie and found myself in tears as she experienced heartbreak. This is an excellent middle-grade book because Day doesn't diminish the painful emotions of growing up. Maisie is forced to face the reality that childhood dreams don't always come true and Day writes that story in such a moving way. I truly felt for Maisie as she was hurting.

Christine Day also does an excellent job weaving Maisie's Native heritage into the story. It wasn't the plot of the story, but it's clearly an important part of Maisie's identity. I really enjoyed that. It was clear that family was important to Maisie's story as well. I loved Maisie's supportive parents and her love for her younger brother. I also loved how fiercely her stepdad loved Maisie, even when she pushed him away. Knowing Maisie's family would be there for her helped me as a reader because I knew she'd always have the love and support she needed.

My only criticism of this book would be the pacing. When we flashed forward 4 months, I felt like we missed out on seeing Maisie's growth. We skipped ahead to better days but missed the work she did to get there. That could have been valuable to see.

Review Excerpt: 

Shelf Awareness

This thoughtful, honest sophomore novel invites readers to reckon with life's messy complexities while reassuring them that every ending brings the seeds of new beginnings.

Kirkus Review (starred review)

This meditative story about a middle school girl’s courageous journey toward healing follows a family as they navigate the complexities of supporting a tween’s life-changing injury. In her second novel, Day offers a heartening glimpse into the immense patience and love required to endure limitations, build strength, and repair damage. An insightful, stirring read about healing and resilience.

Publisher's Weekly (starred review)

A contemplative and emotional story of resilience and reinvention whose dedication sums it up well: 'To anyone who needs a reminder that pain is temporary.'

BookPage (starred review)

The Sea in Winter is a refreshing and moving story of grief and healing from one of middle grade’s brightest rising stars.

Connections:

Native American - Prejudice & Racism

Adoption

Curriculum Connections: Makah Nation history; Indigenous Treaties and land loss; Indian Citizenship Act of 1924; prejudice and stereotyping; ecological effects of river dams; the environmental importance of salmon (clams, gray whales, “nursery stumps,” or oceans);narrative arc and other elements of story, such as setting; writing description and authentic dialogue; physical therapists and/or mental health therapists; finding “your sanctuary”; values, such as respect for elders, reciprocity, perseverance, forgiveness, courage; North American archaeology; Geology of the Pacific Northwest, including earthquakes.