Module 7, Book 2: Olive's Ocean

Olive's Ocean

by Kevin Henkes 

Henkes, K. (2003). Olive's ocean. New York, NY: Greenwillow Books

What if?

Summary:

Though she barely knew her, Martha learns that a girl named Olive in her school, who recently died, looked up to her.  Olive's mother gives Martha a page from Olive's diary.  A few things come together as a result.  Martha and her family visit her grandma during a summer trip.  As Martha gets to know Olive through the diary page, she makes a deeper realization about herself and the importance of family.  Martha makes it her mission to learn more about her grandmother as they share pieces of themselves with each other.  Martha discovers that she is truly passionate about is writing.  Martha also discovers that life is vulnerable and to treasure all that she can.  In doing so, Martha brings back a bit the ocean to Olive's mother. 

Impressions:

I was surprised at how heartfelt this book was.  Most of my exposure to Kevin Henkes has been through his picture books.  Olive's Ocean is a Newbery Honor book, which is thoroughly deserved.  It's well written and tackles big themes thoughtfully: mortality, family, and growing up.  It's honest and tender.  The reader will appreciate Martha's insight and identify with her experiences in the romance department, with the pain she feels after being betrayed, and with the relationship dynamics in her family. 

Reviews:

From School Library Journal:

Gr 5-8-As Martha and her family prepare for their annual summer visit to New England, the mother of her deceased classmate comes to their door. Olive Barstow was killed by a car a month earlier, and the woman wants to give Martha a page from her daughter's journal. In this single entry, the 12-year-old learns more about her shy classmate than she ever knew: Olive also wanted to be a writer; she wanted to see the ocean, just as Martha soon will; and she hoped to get to know Martha Boyle as "she is the nicest person in my whole entire class." Martha cannot recall anything specific she ever did to make Olive think this, but she's both touched and awed by their commonalities. She also recognizes that if Olive can die, so can she, so can anybody, a realization later intensified when Martha herself nearly drowns. At the Cape, Martha is again reminded that things in her life are changing. She experiences her first kiss, her first betrayal, and the glimmer of a first real boyfriend, and her relationship with Godbee, her elderly grandmother, allows her to examine her intense feelings, aspirations, concerns, and growing awareness of self and others. Rich characterizations move this compelling novel to its satisfying and emotionally authentic conclusion. Language is carefully formed, sometimes staccato, sometimes eloquent, and always evocative to create an almost breathtaking pace. Though Martha remains the focus, others around her become equally realized, including Olive, to whom Martha ultimately brings the ocean.-Maria B. Salvadore, formerly at District of Columbia Public Library Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Citation: Jones, T. E., & Toth, L., Charnizon, M., Grabarek, D., Larkins, J., & Salvadore, M. B. (2003). Olive's ocean. School Library Journal, 49(8), 160. 

From Booklist (starred):

Gr. 5-8. More than anything Martha wants to be a writer. The problem is that her father does, too. Is there room for two writers in a single family? This is only one of the many questions that beg to be answered during Martha's twelfth summer. Here are others: Is Godbee, the paternal grandmother whom the family is visiting at Cape Cod, dying? Why is Martha's father so angry? Could Jimmy, the eldest of the five neighboring Manning brothers, be falling in love with her (and vice-versa)? And what does all this have to do with Olive, Martha's mysterious classmate, who died after being hit by a car weeks earlier? Olive, who also wanted to be a writer and visit the ocean, and hoped to be Martha's friend. Like Henkes' Sun and Spoon (1997), this is another lovely, character-driven novel that explores, with rare subtlety and sensitivity, the changes and perplexities that haunt every child's growing-up process. He brings to his story the same bedrock understanding of the emotional realities of childhood that he regularly displays in his paradigmatically perfect picture books. This isn't big and splashy, but it's quiet art and intelligence will stick with readers, bringing them comfort and reassurance as changes inevitably visit their own growing-up years.

Citation: Cart, M. (2003). Olive's ocean (book). Booklist, 100(1), 122. 

Library Activity:

Kevin Henke's body of work is diverse. He is well known among children everywhere.  As a library activity, share Olive's Ocean by revisiting some of his picture books.  Middle grade readers will enjoy the nostalgia and appreciate the growth they've made, which is paralleled Henke's books.  Then, explore Olive's Ocean, which believably touches upon the sensitive topic of death and explores how it affects one's life.  The main character, Martha, struggles with how she feels about the death of a classmate and transfers this feeling to the realization that she will someday lose her grandmother and parents.  This is a tough topic for young readers, especially intermediate and young adult readers who may have experienced loss already.  Excerpts of this book may be read aloud or shared and discussed during a book club or book discussion group.