Hannah: Daughters of the Sea

Review

Common Sense Media says

Rather innocent gothic romance with a fantastic twist.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

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Kids say

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that there is no bodice ripping in this gothic fantasy. The most you'll find is an unsettling attraction two girls have for a young painter and some passionate kisses. There is also much discussion of the eldest daughter’s madness and the acknowledgement that it might impact her marriage prospects.

  • Educational value2
    Includes historical background about 19th-century social classes and a woman's place in society plus information about the status of orphans and the Orphan Train, life in a shipping town and as a household servant.
  • Positive messages3
    Themes of self-reliance, listening to your own intuition, and that working hard will get you what you want.
  • Positive role models2
    Hannah, the main character, is an ambitious, self-reliant girl who is hardworking, persevering, and observant. She is, however, not above breaking some rules.
  • Violence1
    Material goods are damaged; a cat is alleged killed; the eldest daughter speaks abusively and tauntingly. Some creepy suspense.
  • Sex1
    The eldest daughter fantasizes about a painter seeing her naked shoulders and kissing her. Some passionate kissing. Hannah swims naked in the sea and "deep feelings" stir.
  • Language1
    Mild utterances such as "cat piss," "damn," and  "hell."
  • Consumerism0
    Not applicable.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking1
    A reference to laudanum and an opium den.
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What's the story?

When Hannah leaves the orphanage at the age of 15, her first placement via the Orphan Train to Kansas is a disaster. A physical deterioration strikes that necessitates her return to New England where she becomes a scullery maid. A mysterious and tantalizing portrait painter, an obsession with the sea, and a magical transformation help Hannah become her true self.

Is it any good?

 

This metaphoric coming-of-age tale reels the reader in with a likeable heroine who is smart, hardworking, self-reliant, self-aware, and yet innocent and naïve. A new twist on fantasy by an adept author provides readers a great introduction to gothic romance. Is the eldest daughter of the household truly mad, or simply spoiled and manipulative? Who is the mysterious young painter who compels in Hannah forbidden desires? These mysteries and the requisite foreboding carry the reader along swimmingly.

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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about the societal expectations for young women in the year 1900. How are they vastly different?

  • Were there positive aspects to being a maid rather than being forced into the role a rich young woman had to play?

  • How might such a “madness” be treated in today’s world?

This review was written by Debra Bogart
Teen, 17 years old
January 31, 2011
AGE
11
 
LOVE THIS BOOK SOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH!!!!
Ok so right now this book is my favorite book and it has been for like a year. This book is great I love it ecpecially the romance bettween Hannah and Stannish it's soooo cool. I love this book and I can't wait for the 2 one. This book is educational and Hannah is a great role model. The story is great but there is some violance and the eldest daughter Lila is literly insane plus an insane cat. It's a great book any one should read it but you better be at least 11 :D
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Helped me decide (3) | Had useful details (2) | Read my mind (3)
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Kid, 12 years old
April 2, 2012
AGE
12
 
Good book!
This book is really good! The only thing I didn't like, was that Hannah swam naked in the ocean.. I thought she could have at least worn shells or something....
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This review was written by Debra Bogart
Author:Kathryn Lasky
Book type:Fiction
Genre:Fantasy
Publisher:Scholastic Inc.
Publication date:September 1, 2009
Number of pages:176
Hardcover price:$16.99
Publisher's recommended age(s):12 - 17
Read aloud:12
Read alone:12
This review was written by Debra Bogart
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
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