Bakes, Jules. Sea Legs. Niki Smith, Illus. Scholastic/ Graphix, 02/2025. 247 [+7]pp Graphic. Trade $24.99. 978-1-338-83588-5. Paper $14.99. 978-1-338-83586-1. GRADES 3–7. OUTSTANDING.
Living at sea on a sailboat built by her parents, Janey finds adventure and confronts her fears. She and her family sail from Florida around the Bahamas, sampling the local weather, culture, and cuisine along the way. Janey provides readers with mini-lessons in boat anatomy, snorkeling, and onboard cooking. Janey struggles to maintain a relationship with her best friend on the mainland and befriends another girl living on a boat nearby, who is older and more worldly. The book features richly colored illustrations that mimic the tropical landscape of the Bahamas, immersing readers in this dynamic story narrative. Character emotions are exaggerated, mirroring the turbulent feelings of anxious preteens. Maps and diagrams throughout the book, combined with heartfelt author and illustrator photographs and endnotes, make for an engaging book that teaches children about resilience and inner resolve while navigating life’s challenges. Janey’s parents have an interracial marriage, and the supporting characters are of diverse racial backgrounds.
Stacey Miller—South San Francisco Public Library