This is a book I reread every few years or so to connect to that 13 year old Erika who read this and was impacted. Not like, SUPER light-hearted, but very cozy and whimsical. Big feelings about the ocean and being a preteen and being confused about God.
Oct 4, 2024
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Haven't read it since I was 11, so not sure if it holds up, but this book had a hold on my lil middle school heart. I re-read it so many times, my copy was tattered!
I remember also liking Island of the Blue Dolphins when we read that in school!
May 8, 2024
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first read these when i was in elementary school. i’m on the last book now of my early-20s reread. the writing is clever and emotional. i’m just shocked by how much depth and language play is contained in these—things i surely missed in my first read. i recommend reading or rereading these at any age!
Dec 30, 2024
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loved this one as a tween
Mar 3, 2024
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for some reason I have gone most of my life acting like I’m the only person on earth who’s not allowed to ask for help… and also feeling evil whenever I ask someone to do/not do something…. and lately I’m realizing that actually it’s okay if I ask. Most people are cool and will say “yes no problem”
Mar 24, 2025
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I encourage you to rip into me if you disagree because shying away from disagreement is what??👂 OUT!
IN
• Reading books
• Folk-rock and folk-country
• Doing stuff on the computer and not your phone like god intended (social media, online shopping, etc.)
• Clothes-wise: colored tights, mini skirts, scarves
• Being late to work
• Talking to strangers, in the same vein: making new friends
• Writing
• Taking the bus and the train
• Saying what you need to say and doing so succinctly
• Unionizing your workplace
OUT
• Boring convos with coworkers
• Wearing clothes you don’t really like
• Minnesota nice (see also: being nice is not always the same as being kind)
• VAPING OHHH MY GOD. WRAP IT UP!!!
• Caring about makeup, unless you’re a drag queen or a goth. Like you get 15 minutes max
• Shying away from disagreement
• Fast casual chain restaurants - go eat local and sit down for a while
• Paw Patrol (copaganda)
• Ass kissing
• Being under 25
Dec 23, 2024
I mean. Wow. I wish I could formulate coherent literary analysis but I think I just need to sit with this for a month. Humanity, gender, politics, fear, love. The heart of culturally long-lasting, impactful sci fi is when the sci is merely a background to the fi, ya know?
Tried to pick a quote but can’t right now. If you hear shrill screaming in the distance just know it’s me wailing over this book
Illustration by David Lupton
Jan 30, 2025