Publishers Weekly
05/01/2023
Horror movie–obsessed Serenity Noah, a Black 12-year-old, longs to meet a monster scarier than the ones in her recurring nightmares. But her passions and boisterous personality often make her feel out of place in her soft-spoken family, especially compared to her calm, artistic younger brother Peace. When Peace suddenly develops his own night terrors, her parents blame Serenity’s monster flicks, and plan a trip to a silent retreat on Duppy Island—a locale that Serenity believes harbors malicious spirits—to cure his nightmares without her. Determined not to be left behind, Serenity stows away on the next boat to Duppy Island; once there, she encounters the creatures from her dreams. That’s not the only worrying thing she uncovers, however: the retreat’s shady director seems eager to get her off the island, a forgetting spell has befallen the rest of the adults, and douens—faceless children with backward feet—are haunting the land. Even as she faces fears of her own, Serenity endeavors to save Peace from the island’s horrors. Occasionally awkward worldbuilding dampens the anticipatory atmosphere, but Bourne (Josephine Against the Sea) nevertheless delivers a chilling adventure steeped in Afro-Caribbean mythology that teems with twists, turns, and propulsive action. Ages 8–12. (June)
From the Publisher
Praise for Josephine Against the Sea:
* "A heart-wrenching adventure with big laughs and well-earned surprises." — Kirkus Reviews, starred review
* "Filled with humor and vibrant, likable characters, the suspense of this fast-paced, laugh-out-loud fantasy will keep the pages turning." — Booklist, starred review
"Twining fantastical elements with a steady pace and a contemporary setting, Bourne nets a relatable story of processing grief, trust in one's family and community, and Black girl magic." — Publishers Weekly
"Jo is a funny, determined heroine with no end of schemes, and Bourne's masterful modernizing of jumbie lore is thrilling. The story is riveting from beginning to end." — Tracey Baptiste, New York Times bestselling author
"An entertaining read featuring many references to creatures from Caribbean mythology; sure to be a great addition to any library’s middle grade collection." — School Library Journal
Kirkus Reviews
2023-04-12
A 12-year-old discovers more than she bargained for as she determinedly faces her fears.
Serenity Noah is a Black girl from “a mysterious Caribbean island” who’s plagued by a recurring nightmare. Consequently, she’s decided to face her fears, developing an obsession with horror movies and even making her own with the help of her younger brother, Peace. Calm, well-behaved Peace is the opposite of Serenity, whose loud voice makes her soft-spoken parents anxious. That is, until the day when Peace has a screaming meltdown; later he says shadows called his name and were trying to take him away. Now he’s unable to sleep alone. Serenity’s parents take him away for a silent retreat on Duppy Island, alarming Serenity—after all, duppies are “malicious spirits that haunt people at night.” She stows away on a boat and, arriving on the island, uncovers secrets that both excite and scare her about Dr. Whisper, who is running the retreat; evil douens, faceless spirits of children; and her own ancestral lineage. Bourne’s sophomore novel for young readers delivers a thrilling storyline filled with twists and turns. Readers will be captivated by Serenity’s voice, original perspective, curiosity, and bravery as they eagerly follow her journey.
A horror story with strong appeal for fans of the genre featuring a bold, intriguing protagonist. (Paranormal. 8-12)
