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A Crack in the Sea Audiobook
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Publisher Description
An enchanting historical fantasy adventure perfect for fans of Thanhha Lai's Newbery Honor-winning Inside Out and Back Again
No one comes to the Second World on purpose. The doorway between worlds opens only when least expected. The Raft King is desperate to change that by finding the doorway that will finally take him and the people of Raftworld back home. To do it, he needs Pip, a young boy with an incredible gift—he can speak to fish; and the Raft King is not above kidnapping to get what he wants. Pip’s sister Kinchen, though, is determined to rescue her brother and foil the Raft King’s plans.
This is but the first of three extraordinary stories that collide on the high seas of the Second World. The second story takes us back to the beginning: Venus and Swimmer are twins captured aboard a slave ship bound for Jamaica in 1781. They save themselves and others from a life of enslavement with a risky, magical plan—one that leads them from the shark-infested waters of the first world to the second. Pip and Kinchen will hear all about them before their own story is said and done. So will Thanh and his sister Sang, who we meet in 1978 on a small boat as they try to escape post-war Vietnam. But after a storm and a pirate attack, they’re not sure they’ll ever see shore again. What brings these three sets of siblings together on an adventure of a lifetime is a little magic, helpful sea monsters and that very special portal, A Crack in the Sea.
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“Narrator Bahni Turpin is extraordinary in bringing this fantasy world and its characters to life. Her pace is consistently smooth…Pip and sister Kitchen sound like typical kids. Siblings Swimmer and Venus, survivors of the 1781 disaster, carry a hint of Africa in their voices. Thanh and Sang speak English with the caution of those new to the language. The afterword, narrated by the author, discusses the historical events that became the story’s seed. An amazing listening experience, timely as we again see a world in turmoil. Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award.”
— AudioFile
Quotes
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This novel touches on sensitive and tragic moments in history and gives them fantastical remediation for a provocative, immersive read.
— Kirkus Reviews -
“Fans of Grace Lin will love this wholly original book that reads like a fairy tale. A moving and thought-provoking choice for library collections.
— School Library Journal -
A Crack in the Sea is a moving work of conscience and a numinously magical journey. Trust this book.
— William Alexander, National Book Award–winning author of Goblin Secrets -
Bouwman weaves together these stories of freedom and escape with a deep sense of respect and emotion, bringing the reader directly into each family’s search for a safety that transcends both time and space.
— Booklist -
Bouwman ably weaves these threads together into a curious, haunting whole that references oppression, family, magic, and a human desperation for safety that transcends time and place. . . . Detailed black and white illustrations invite contemplation and work well to highlight key moments in the novel, adding artistic flair to the already lyrical story.
— BCCB -
Fantasy fans will be drawn into this story and find it hard to put down.
— School Library Connection -
[C]onstantly engaging and enlightening.
— BookPage -
“[T]his book will captivate readers who like their fantasy spiced with real-life drama.
— Common Sense Media -
This complex, compelling, and thoughtful novel begins in 1978 on Tathenn, a fantastical island world. . . . Bouwman has done her research well . . . keeping her young characters’ journeys—physical and emotional—front and center. Their tenderness, fierceness, bravery, thoughtfulness, and goodness highlight themes of family, leadership, and telling of history. . . . Shimizu’s vivid interspersed black-and-white illustrations . . . add to the drama of the storytelling in this original and engrossing book.
— The Horn Book -
“Through the captivating interwoven tales of these three sibling pairs…Bouwman crafts a moving narrative about family, magic, morality, the power of storytelling, and the cyclical nature of history.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review) -
“Constantly engaging and enlightening.”
— BookPage -
“Bouwman weaves together these stories of freedom and escape with a deep sense of respect and emotion, bringing the reader directly into each family’s search for a safety that transcends both time and space.”
— Booklist -
“This novel touches on sensitive and tragic moments in history and gives them fantastical remediation for a provocative, immersive read.”
— Kirkus Reviews -
“Bouwman has done her research well…keeping her young characters’ journeys—physical and emotional—front and center. Their tenderness, fierceness, bravery, thoughtfulness, and goodness highlight themes of family, leadership, and telling of history…Original and engrossing.”
— Horn Book Guide
Awards
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Winner of an AudioFile Earphones Award
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An Indie Next Kids' List Great Read
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About H. M. Bouwman
H. M. Bouwman is the author of A Crack in the Sea and The Remarkable & Very True Story of Lucy & Snowcap. She is an associate professor of English at the University of St. Thomas.
About H. M. Bouwman
Bahni Turpin, winner of numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards and several prestigious Audie Awards for her narrations, was named a “Golden Voice” by AudioFile magazine in 2019. Publishers Weekly magazine named her Narrator of the Year for 2016. She is an ensemble member of the Cornerstone Theater Company in Los Angeles. She has guest starred in many television series, including NYPD Blue, Law & Order, Six Feet Under, Cold Case, What about Brian, and The Comeback. Film credits include Brokedown Palace, Crossroads, and Daughters of the Dust. She is also a member of the recording cast of The Help, which won numerous awards.