Josephine Against the Sea

Meet Josephine, the most loveable mischief-maker in Barbados, in a magical, heartfelt adventure inspired by Caribbean mythology.

"A heart-wrenching adventure with big laughs and well-earned surprises." --Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

Eleven-year-old Josephine knows that no one is good enough for her daddy. That's why she makes a habit of scaring his new girlfriends away. She's desperate to make it onto her school's cricket team because she'll get to play her favorite sport AND use the cricket matches to distract Daddy from dating.

But when Coach Broomes announces that girls can't try out for the team, the frustrated Josephine cuts into a powerful silk cotton tree and accidentally summons a bigger problem into her life . . .

The next day, Daddy brings home a new catch, a beautiful woman named Mariss. And unlike the other girlfriends, this one doesn't scare easily. Josephine knows there's something fishy about Mariss but she never expected her to be a vengeful sea creature eager to take her place as her father's first love! Can Josephine convince her friends to help her and use her cricket skills to save Daddy from Mariss's clutches before it's too late?

Author: Shakirah Bourne
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Published: 07/06/2021
Pages: 304
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.88lbs
Size: 8.30h x 5.50w x 1.20d
ISBN: 9781338642087
Audience: Ages 9-12

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 5.3
Point Value: 9
Interest Level: Middle Grade
Quiz #/Name: 511790 / Josephine Against the Sea


Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 05/24/2021
Kirkus Reviews 06/01/2021
School Library Journal 07/01/2021 pg. 58
Booklist 07/01/2021 pg. 82

About the Author
Shakirah Bourne is a Bajan author and filmmaker born and based in Barbados. She once shot a movie scene in a cave with bats during an earthquake, but is too scared to watch horror movies. She enjoys exploring old graveyards, daydreaming, and eating mangoes. Learn more at shakirahbourne.com.