This starts as a fun sibling summer adventure. Bex and Davey find a strange statue in the marsh and want to know more, but don't want to share their secret with anyone. As the weather stays hot and the water dries up, more of the statue appears giving them clues. Meanwhile, their mom is tired all the time and focuse on her research, and their dad is busy running the ferry during the busy tourist season. They finally think they have answers, but it wasn't what they were expecting.

When I tell you that I gasped at the reveal, it ached so much to keep reading after that chapter. Even now it hurts. This was a beautifully written book that holds so much more than a simple summer adventure. Truly amazing.

OMG this book. This book. It absolutely gutted me. In my personal opinion this is a must read for everyone on the planet. While the writing is gorgeous the idea is that art should make you feel something and my word. This piece of art certainly does. I don't what to come close to spoiling anything in this book but this author did an amazing job of writing from a child's perspective, specifically that of an older sister. I connected with this book far more than I thought I would. It was both powerful and excellently written which is not an easy mix to achieve. I would encourage everyone to check out this book for themselves.

I found this one a bit more frustrating than clever. The big twist seemed fairly obvious. Still, the writing is well structured and artistic. Interesting parallels between personal loss and the changes in small town life.

A beautiful story about a young girl coping with several types of grief and change. I loved the language and Bex's voice. I thought that the way her character develops and the way hints regarding the big reveal are given, which only make sense after the secret is revealed, as well as the way Bex describes that decision in the text, are an incredible way to introduce the concept of an unreliable narrator to young readers.

I AM WRECKED.

What I thought this book would have: Fun adventures, puzzling mystery, kids on a mission, environmentalism, idyllic summer vibes, quaint escapist setting that makes me feel I'm there with the characters. And yes I got all of that but also...

What I wasn't expecting: To be shaken to my core, for my heart to break, to feel all the feels.

This book was breathtaking, from the atmospheric setting to the lyrical writing to the beautiful plot. It explored themes of loss and grief but also love and healing; breaking my heart and putting it back together again. Overall, a highly moving read that I would recommend to all ages!

Even the author's note made me emotional, with Gillian McDunn thanking readers for trusting her with our reckless and tender hearts. Well, I would like to thank her for trusting us with When Sea Becomes Sky. Indeed love never ends.

When Sea Becomes Sky by Gillian McDunn is a beautiful book. It is narrated by Bez, an eleven-year-old girl. Bez and her family live on Pelican Island in the Carolina salt marshes. This summer is different than most because it has not rained for nearly a year. The drought doesn’t spoil summer for Bez and her nine-year-old brother Davey. They spend all their days at the Thumb, where the island curves toward the mainland. Their special place is quiet and serene; there are no other people there. There is a large oak tree where they each have a special branch to laze on, Davey reading and Bez trying to get over her writer’s block. The marsh is full of life: terrapins, fiddler crabs, mussels, and a playful pair of otters, which they have named Fritz and Opal, after cartoon characters. “Life was softer there, the edges gently blurred.”
Bez and Davey discover an underwater statue as the drought lowers the water level day by day. This begins an adventure of attempting to find out who made the statue and why it is under the water of the marsh. They are more determined in this hunt when development threatens both the statue and their special place. The book is about so much more than this, however. It is about the love between these siblings and dealing with life’s vagaries, and ultimately about dealing with hurt and loss. Ms. McDunn’s prose is simple and moves along smoothly. She is a master at showing the reader the surroundings and the inner lives of her characters. I felt the beauty and tranquility of Pelican island. Bez and Davey became genuine and I cared about them. This is a wonderful book.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Children’s Books for the ARC of this book.

When Sea Becomes Sky follows in the tradition of classics that tell a heartwarming tale that will leave a mark on the reader in a good way. Bex and her brother discover a statue in an area of their island that is about to be destroyed by "Progress". Bex is determined to find out more about the statue and hopes if she can find the artist the statue might be saved. This story blew me away and is high on my list of recommendations for this year.

I've loved Gillian McDunn's previous books, and all I can say about WHEN SEA BECOMES SKY is WOW! I had a sense of the premise going into it, but didn't quite see the plot twist coming, and it's both shocking and masterfully done. As she writes in her author's note at the end, you can trust Gillian McDunn with your "reckless and tender heart." She'll leave you feeling hopeful and profound in the best way.

The writing in this book was lovely and I see the appeal clearly. I just figured out the big mystery from the third chapter (because I’ve read a MG book with the same premise - WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU MANGOES by Kereen Getten) so that really took the wind out of the sails for me. Very moving story with a solid takeaway.

This middle grade contemporary fiction novel is a truly tender story about family and sibling relationships. With some elements inspired by autobiographical elements from the author’s life, the novel feels authentic and personal. Although there is not rocketing action, the narrative does progress at a pace consistent with the summer and island setting. The discovery of the mysterious statue serves as a good framework for the other portions of the story and will pique the interest of younger readers. (What young reader hasn’t dreamed of finding some hidden treasure or mysterious thing?) There are layers and a twist that most younger readers will probably not see coming.

When Sea Becomes Sky would be a good family or classroom read–and it is an especially appropriate read for summer.

Poignant, personal, and reminiscent of the classic BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA, Gillian Dunn has written a book that children will not only enjoy (mystery and sibling adventure!) but gain empathy from. Well done!

Summer on Pelican Island is not only a memorable time for vacationers; it also offers hidden sanctuaries for those who call the island home. Eleven-year-old Bex Wheeler is looking forward to a summer of adventure with her little brother Davey in their secret hideout on a secluded piece of the island known as the Thumb. Unfortunately, it has been nearly a year without rain, so the water levels have been steadily decreasing and robbing the wildlife of much of their natural habitats. This means, however, that secrets are revealed as the water disappears, including a mysterious statue that the siblings pour their attention into investigating as the summer progresses.

This middle grade novel has a sweet and wholesome feel from the beginning, especially as the relationship between Bex and Davey is displayed. Much like stories by Sharon Creech, this book focuses on feelings and family connections in the midst of an innocuous and intriguing discovery. Readers are immersed in the connection between Bex and Davey throughout the story, and they are especially drawn to Davey’s food eccentricities and just how much Bex loves them. Interactions with others on the island are strained at times, though, and Bex only truly feels comfortable in the presence of her brother.

As the mystery unfolds, the characters are driven farther from home and the comforts it provides. Bex has been struggling all summer to find the truth she used to speak with such ease, and it only becomes obvious later in the story exactly how much her lies have gotten away from her. Brief chapters, ample white space, and occasional illustrations make this novel especially accessible to younger middle grade readers even as the narrative invites deeper exploration. Filled with heart and intrigue, this book will especially resonate with young readers who have found themselves in periods of great change and growth in their lives. This is a profound novel that will tug on the heartstrings of readers of all ages, and it is an important inclusion to library collections for middle grade readers.

Bex loves exploring the saltmarsh with her brother Davey, especially spending time in the live oak at the Thumb. Due to a drought, a statue begins to emerge from the marsh and Bex knows that she has a mystery on her hands - and she knows that the best mysteries involve keeping secrets from adults.

What really shines in this book is McDunn's writing and descriptions of the saltmarsh. The ecosystem and the ongoing effects of the drought are richly described. Bex is a writer, and is writing the story which leads to some fourth-wall breaks that can be potentially confusing. The mystery wasn't fully satisfying to me, but it worked well given the larger arc of this story. I'm not a fan of a dead sibling reveal mid book but this book really shifted to remind me tonally of Mick Harte Was Here after the reveal that Davey had died the previous summer.

Overall I liked the note that this book landed on, but McDunn's setting is really the thing that pushed it from a 3 to a 4 for me.

I’ve been a fan of Gillian McDunn’s books since her debut, CATERPILLAR SUMMER. That one was really special to me because of the main character and her bond with her family over fishing– something also special to me. So while I am always on the lookout for her next book, and I’ve enjoyed all of them, I don’t go into the books with the expectation that they’ll replace CATERPILLAR SUMMER in my heart.

This one really came close, though! You know that feeling, reading a book, where the setting becomes part of the story, and the characters feel so real you can’t help but get lost in what they’re feeling, and you catch yourself not breathing because you’re waiting for something to happen? Yeah. WHEN SEA BECOMES SKY definitely achieves that.

I really liked the way the environmental dilemma resolved and the way all the pieces of the story fit together. There are a lot of things that at first don’t seem related to one another that we discover are actually connected. I loved that, too.

This is a sad book. By the time I got to the Author’s Note, I was outright bawling. I think when an author can do that to you (I’m totally looking at you, Ashley Schumacher!!) and you love the book even more, that’s a great book.

I think readers who loved NEST by Esther Ehrlich or THE THING ABOUT JELLYFISH by Ali Benjamin.

Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. This review will post to my blog on 3/3/23.

Gillian McDunn has written an amazing story. I loved the characters and their emotions so much. This is a book that readers will want to keep talking about because of all the truths shared. This is one I will read again and again. Look for it February 28, 2023. Thank you to @bloomsburychildrens and @netgalley for the eARC.

One of the best middle grade books I’ve read this year. Dunn’s writing is lyrical and immersive. The twist (not to give anything away) is masterfully done and the deeper themes of the story are incredibly well-handled and presented. Highly recommend this book!