Pearl of the Sea
by Anthony Silverston, Raffaella Delle Donna, and Willem Samuel
Graphic Novel
Realistic Fiction
Tween
* * * * Stars (Great!)
Pearl lives in a small seaside town that’s experiencing an economic downturn. Everyone is looking for work, and Pearl’s dad is trying to make ends meet working in restaurants, which just aren’t making a profit. He’s about to throw in the towel and move them out to the city, but Pearl finds a way to bring in extra cash using her diving skills to fish/collect (illegally) for poachers. She discovers an underwater restricted zone on one of her dives and releases a giant octopus/kraken-like creature (Otto) whom she befriends and nurses back to health. The poachers discover what she’s been up to and capture the octopus, and it’s up to Pearl to save him. Although, Otto can’t stick around (because, humans), someone gets a blurry photograph of him and the story brings all kinds of publicity to the town, which brings tourists and money and suddenly things are looking much better financially for everyone! So, yay Otto, and yay, Pearl! This is a fast read with vivid illustrations. Otto is lovely. For grades 7+.
Reviewed by YA Librarian
