Sea Legs
by Jules Bakes; illus. by Niki Smith
Intermediate    Graphix/Scholastic    256 pp.
2/25    9781338835885    $24.99
Paper ed.  9781338835861    $14.99
e-book ed.  9781338836417    $14.99

This heartfelt graphic novel explores the uncharted waters of growing up, friendship, and self-discovery. Soon after Janey finishes third grade, she and her family move onto their red-sailed schooner to live and to sail the Caribbean Islands. Janey misses her home and wishes for an ordinary life with a “Normal House” and “Real School” rather than “Fourth Grade in a Box” (what Mom calls homeschool). But then she befriends Astrid, another boat kid who is older and more daring. Janey finds herself both drawn to and frustrated by her new friend’s unpredictable personality until she learns that Astrid harbors her own secrets and wishes. Janey discovers the value of leaving your comfort zone as she is forced to confront fears, examine boundaries, and understand what it means to trust others. Bakes’s narrative effectively integrates ideas of belonging and gratitude and uses the ocean and weather as metaphors for personal growth. Smith’s colorful illustrations reflect the ocean’s—and the protagonist’s—ever-changing moods. Inventive panels that showcase handwritten letters, maps, and annotated sketches further immerse readers in Janey’s world. An appended author’s note explains connections to Bakes’s childhood.

From the March/April 2025 issue of The Horn Book Magazine.