Common Sense Media Review
By Andrea Beach
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Moving adventure story of tween's search for her origins.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
Twelve-year-old Crow may have to look BEYOND THE BRIGHT SEA when a bonfire on a nearby island sparks her curiosity about who her parents were and where they came from. Crow was taken in by Osh, the only person living on a tiny island off the coast of Massachusetts, when she was only a few hours old. She and Osh work hard for the things they need, but they don't need much and have always been content together. But as she grows older and learns more about the world around her, Crow really wants to know more about herself, too. Her search takes her to an orphanage in the city, to a tiny graveyard on a nearby island, and across the path of a madman who'll stop at nothing to find a pirate's treasure.
Is It Any Good?
Author Lauren Wolk weaves a beautiful tapestry of pirate-treasure adventure, suspense, a search for family, and warm family bonds that'll keep the pages turning and the heartstrings tugging. Beyond the Bright Sea is not as dark and intense as Wolk's YA debut, Wolf Hollow, but the mystery, characters, and vivid sense of place make it hard to put down.
Tweens will relate to Crow as she explores how her family origins define, and don't define, who she is. The rhythmic writing and suspenseful chapter endings make it great for reading aloud, too. Everyone from big kids up to adults will be deeply moved by Crow's adventures and the lessons she learns about family and happiness. Keep a tissue nearby when you get to the end.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Beyond the Bright Sea shows what a family is. Do Osh and Miss Maggie do the kinds of things parents do for a child? What do your family and loved ones do for you?
What makes Crow a good role model? What do you like about her? How could you be more like her?
If you found a buried treasure, what would you do with it? Share it, spend it, hide it, give it away?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Historical Fiction
- Topics : Adventures , History
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Dutton Children's Books
- Publication date : May 2, 2017
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 10 - 14
- Number of pages : 304
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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