Common Sense Media Review
By Mary Eisenhart
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Dreamy, visual vacation unfolds in sweet beach tale.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
This is the tale of siblings Alix (younger) and Jools (older and more "mature") and how their family's first beach vacation turns them into SECRET SISTERS OF THE SALTY SEA. As the narrative meanders along, each day brings a new discovery -- horseshoe crabs, building sand castles, making new friends, trying new foods. Also a few laughs along the way.
Is It Any Good?
Sweet, dreamy, often funny, Newbery Award-winning author/illustrator Lynne Rae Perkins' family-at-the-beach story evokes a lazy summertime vibe and a safe, loving world of family, friends, and nature. If you're looking for action-packed adventure, Secret Sisters of the Salty Sea is not for you. But if you've never built a sand castle or released a falcon into the wild, young protagonist Alix's experiences will give you a vivid sense of what that's like.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about vacations at the beach. Have you ever spent a few days at the seashore? What was it like? Did you do things like the family does in Secret Sisters of the Salty Sea, or something completely different?
Alix and Jools are surprised when the beach isn't at all tropical, but turns out to be pretty great anyway. Have you ever had an image in your mind of how something was going to be, and then it was completely different? Did you like the way things turned out, or hate it?
Have you ever been to a wildlife rescue center? What kinds of animals did you see? Which ones did you like best?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Lynne Rae Perkins
- Genre : Family Life
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship , Animals ( Ocean Creatures ) , STEM
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Greenwillow
- Publication date : July 9, 2018
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 240
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate