Olive's Ocean (rpkg) (HarperClassics) by…

Olive's Ocean (rpkg) (HarperClassics) (original 2003; edition 2005)

by Kevin Henkes

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1,965	112	8,356	(3.78)	24
On a summer visit to her grandmother's cottage by the ocean, twelve-year-old Martha gains perspective on the death of a classmate, on her relationship with her grandmother, on her feelings for an older boy, and on her plans to be a writer.

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Member:	jahodgeman
Title:	Olive's Ocean (rpkg) (HarperClassics)
Authors:	Kevin Henkes
Info:	HarperTrophy (2005), Paperback, 240 pages
Collections:	Your library
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Work Information

Olive's Ocean by Kevin Henkes (2003)

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Newbery Honor Winner!

vashonpatty | Apr 2, 2023 |

Newbery Honor Book!

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Newbery Honor Book!

vashonpatty | Apr 2, 2023 |

Martha didn't know Olive, but her classmate died in an accident and Olive's mother brought Martha a page from her daughter's journal, in which she described Martha as nice, someone she wanted for a friend, and dreamed of seeing the ocean. Martha and her family are about to go to the ocean themselves, to visit with her grandmother, Godbee, and while she's there, she thinks about who she wants to be.

This is the sort of quiet book that is very hard to pin down what it's actually about - the summer Martha's twelve has all sorts of experiences for her as she finds her place in the world. Her family is realistic, with Martha and her mother sometimes having their tiffs, Martha and Godbee sharing secrets, and toddler Lucy being, well, a toddler. Chapters are very short, only a couple of pages each, and keep the story moving quickly. Recommended for fans of The Penderwicks. (

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bell7 | Dec 24, 2021 |

The author and story originate in Madison, Wisconsin. A 12-year-old girl, after the death of a classmate, seeks more information about both their lives.

BLTSbraille | Sep 23, 2021 |

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Awards

Notable Lists

ALA 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2000-2009

Best Fiction for Young Adults (Selection – 2004)

Booklist Editors' Choice: Books for Youth (2003)

Capitol Choices Noteworthy Book for Children and Teens (2004)

CCBC Choices (2004)

Notable Children's Book (2004)

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Canonical title

Original title

Olive's Ocean

Alternative titles

Original publication date

2003

People/Characters

Martha Boyle

Olive Barstow (deceased classmate)

Jimmy Manning

Tate Manning

Godbee (Grandma Boyle)

Important places

Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA

Important events

Related movies

Epigraph

Dedication

For Susan

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Disambiguation notice

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Original language

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▾Book descriptions

On a summer visit to her grandmother's cottage by the ocean, twelve-year-old Martha gains perspective on the death of a classmate, on her relationship with her grandmother, on her feelings for an older boy, and on her plans to be a writer.

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Book description

The book centers around Martha Boyle who gains perspective after a classmate, Olive, dies in a tragic accident. The two girls had many parallels in life, and could have been friends, but were not. The book follows Martha's many reflections and revelations about life and her path as she vacations at her family's beach house and begins a relationship with an unlikely neighbor boy.

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