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Book Review By Sara Mahan
Olive's Ocean by Kevin Henkes

Martha goes away every summer from her home in Wisconsin to visit her grandma, Godbee, on the coast of California. Right before she left for California, she recieved a letter from Olive's mother that she died. The thing is, Martha didn't even know Olive. Olive admired Martha for who she was even though they never talked in school or hung out. In California, she tells Godbee about this. Every day she and Godbee tell each other something that they don't know about each other. Martha develops a crush on one of neighbor boys while there. Her older brother, Vince, is friends with them. She begins to spend more time with Jimmy. She tells Godbee about him and all she has to say is to be careful. Jimmy makes a video which was his entertainment this summer. He uses Martha for it. He uses her to kiss in the home-video. Martha is outraged, but at the same time, heartbroken. She wants to get him back. Jimmy's younger brother, Tate, who is Martha's age, wants to help her. Before Martha leaves she gets a bottle and fills it with the ocean to give to Olive's mom. It said in the letter that Olive's mother had given her that she had always wanted to go to the ocean. This would be "Olives Ocean." Martha says good-bye to Godbee. Godbee is getting old and all Martha hopes for is that she will be able to see her next summer as well. As she is leaving, Tate stops her and hands her a bag.


Plot & Themes
Tone of book? - thoughtful
Time/era of story - 2000+ (Present Day)
Kids growing up/acting up? Yes
Family, loving relations Yes
Special relationship with - grandma
Internal struggle/realization? Yes
Is this an adult or child's book? - Age 11-14
Coping with loss of loved one(s) Yes
Loss of...
Age group of kid(s) in story: - grade school
Loving/sexing? - guy chasing

Main Character
Gender - Female
Age: - a kid
Ethnicity/Nationality

Main Adversary
Identity: - Male
Age: - a kid
How sensitive is this character?
Intelligence - Average intelligence

Setting
How much descriptions of surroundings? - 7 ()
United States Yes
The US: - California
Water? Yes

Writing Style
Amount of dialog - mostly dialog
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