Awards
Selected, ALA Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults
Selected, Children’s Book Sense 76 Selection
Selected, New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age
“Lawrence writes with great power, unlocking the family mysteries with a mounting sense of suspense and a deft use of symbolism.”
— New York Times Book Review Read
“Lawrence (the High Seas Trilogy) returns to the ocean for this exquisite novel that conjures literally the nature and mood of an island haunted by tragedy…With adult characters every bit as memorable as the teen characters, plus its stunning ability to create a sense of the island’s rhythms and habitat, Lawrence’s novel not only lives up to the high standards of his previous works, but may well attract a wide adult readership.” *Starred Review*
— Publishers Weekly
“This eerie and emotional story of the reconciliation and redemption of one small family on one small island seems almost too large, too compelling to be held in the pages of one book. It is not an easy or comfortable read but for sophisticated teens, this lyrical novel is an experience not to be forgotten.” *Starred Review*
— School Library Journal
“The story sustains charged atmosphere of blame, guilt, and apprehension throughout, although, in the end, nature’s awesome beauty and the strengths of family ties offer some reassurance.”
—The Horn Book Magazine