This was a Jamaican author's debut, and it was lovely. The whole island culture and the characters that live there sweep you into a wave that doesn’t let go until the end. This story was interesting and subverted my expectations. ( )

Main character living on an Island which gives this type of book a very interesting type of setting.

Deals with the handling of tough topics such as religion, family and disability. These are all subjects that everyone deals with especially older children who may find them especially tricky

Setting is inspired by the author’s homeland of Jamaica love to see the reference to one’s culture and where one grew up

This would be a good one to put on a special library display about community and everyone all coming together despite differences.

Important themes for older children to learn and appreciate are community, friendship, memory and forgiveness

This novel is a 2022 Lone Star novel.

Clara and her best friend Gaynah argue a lot. They used to get along better. Gaynah gives away some of Clara's secrets and seems to hate her now. It's created angst between Clara and almost everyone else. They live on an island where weather can be dangerous and deadly, but otherwise, life brings lots of freedom. Clara can run about the island. She cannot visit her uncle because the preacher says that her uncle is a witch doctor. Basically, the preacher has turned the people against her uncle. Clara also used to surf and was very talented. For the last year she has stopped surfing and doesn't remember what happened a year ago. Some people understand and treat Clara well while others have lost their patience and want Clara's parents to do something drastic. Gaynah certainly doesn't have any sympathy for Clara.

I vacillated with my opinion on this novel because I didn't feel like there was a plot. I also couldn't sit down and just read it. I read small pieces at a time and took over a week to read it. I think when you don't sit and read a book, you find it hard to engage with it. The novel becomes "boring." It's because I couldn't focus on it for any valuable length of time. So, ultimately, this novel drops lots of clues and finally reveals truth toward the end. Therefore, you need to look for clues and figure out what's going on before the truth reveals itself. ( )