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 |