Eleven interlinked stories tell the tale of a boy coming of age in Kailua-Kona, a Hawaiian fishing village. Sonny Mendoza is a little different fro...
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Feb 24, 2009
Jeanna
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Eleven short stories follow Sonny’s life from age six to about 19. In the first, he is just learning to swim (after being called a pantie by his cousin Keo for not yet being able to swim). Through each story there runs a common thread—Sonny’s strange fear of the ocean. He does not understand it, and it bothers him immensely (as his family’s livelihood depends on the water). As he grows, he learns many things about himself, but he learns little about his father, and even less about his mother, wh
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Aug 05, 2011
Sara
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I wasn't really looking forward to this one. I had been putting off reading it (I have to teach it this upcoming year) to the point where it is now late back to the library, but at least until about page 134 (when the story ‘The Boy in the Shadow’ started) I loved it! But then it all got a bit too morose for me.
I’m not a big fan of short stories (with the exception of Anthony Doerr’s collection called ‘The Shell Collector’ – which is a work of art) because as soon as I start to like More...
I’m not a big fan of short stories (with the exception of Anthony Doerr’s collection called ‘The Shell Collector’ – which is a work of art) because as soon as I start to like More...
Mar 09, 2011
Devin
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Blue Skin of the Sea
Reviewed by: Devin Boxey
(Posted to Good Reads)
I have to admit, Graham Salsbury is one of my favorite authors, but I was pretty disappointed when Blue Skin of the Sea turned out to be a downer. Honestly, the only point I got from the book was to tell the story about a young boy’s life that lived in Hawaii. The funny thing is, is that this boy is a fictional character, so no one really cares how he lived because he never did live! Compared to Grah More...
Reviewed by: Devin Boxey
(Posted to Good Reads)
I have to admit, Graham Salsbury is one of my favorite authors, but I was pretty disappointed when Blue Skin of the Sea turned out to be a downer. Honestly, the only point I got from the book was to tell the story about a young boy’s life that lived in Hawaii. The funny thing is, is that this boy is a fictional character, so no one really cares how he lived because he never did live! Compared to Grah More...
Sep 19, 2010
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May 13, 2009
Asenath
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This is a collection of short stories that tells the coming of age of Sonny Mendoza. All the stories have their own moral and life lesson that Sonny learns—the character of his uncle, young love, death, etc. All the stories are tied together by one common thread: bits of memories that continue to flash through Sonny’s mind, even though he cannot remember what the event was. In the end Sonny remembers and is able to come of age and decide on the path he wants his destiny to take. The imagery used
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Jul 12, 2011
Sara
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A series of interconnected short stories about a boy coming of age in Hawaii. In and of itself, it was ok, but felt at times disjointed and lacking focus. Hawaii sure seems like a hard place to be, kinda rough, lots of machismo and fighting. I'd definitely look for another book by Salisbury, but wouldn't race to recommend this one. Some of the pieces make nice stand-alones, and in fact I think I did hear about this book when I read one chapter as a selection in a Hawaiian anthology.
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Apr 04, 2008
Tawny
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Author: Graham Salisbury
Title: Blue Skin of the Sea
Genre: coming of age novel
Publication Info: Bantam Doubleday Dell Books for Young Readers, New York, 1992.
Recommended Age: 12 and older. There are a few spots where language is inappropriate and subject matter is deep, so I would not recommend the book to anyone still in grade school.
Plot Summary: Sonny Mendoza, a white boy living in a Hawaiian fishing village, goes through different experiences which lead him to un More...
Title: Blue Skin of the Sea
Genre: coming of age novel
Publication Info: Bantam Doubleday Dell Books for Young Readers, New York, 1992.
Recommended Age: 12 and older. There are a few spots where language is inappropriate and subject matter is deep, so I would not recommend the book to anyone still in grade school.
Plot Summary: Sonny Mendoza, a white boy living in a Hawaiian fishing village, goes through different experiences which lead him to un More...
Dec 18, 2008
Darlis
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I read this many years ago and really enjoyed it. I liked the short story format that follow the characters as they grow up. I enjoyed the peek into Hawaiian family life and how people changed over their teen years. I even liked the personal reactions to the big events in the Islands. The stories have a flow that feels like being in Hawaii.
As a teacher, I even used some of the stories to show how other teenagers coped with crises in their lives. This is a wonderful book.
As a teacher, I even used some of the stories to show how other teenagers coped with crises in their lives. This is a wonderful book.
Mar 20, 2009
Chad
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I really liked this book. Salisbury put me right in Hawaii. I felt all of the characters. Being too short and softening the portrayal of characters at times leaves this book at a four. But definitely worth a read.
Dec 14, 2007
Atomicgirl
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The word that comes to mind most when I try to describe this book is "sedate." The tone and the plot are gentle, like floating on the Pacific Ocean on a calm day. So, I wouldn't recommend this book to readers who appreciate thrillers and adventure stories.
Sonny is afraid of the water, and struggles to find his identity where the ocean features strongly in his and the lives of people around him. The author presents a story that urges the readers to go beyond the author's wor More...
Sonny is afraid of the water, and struggles to find his identity where the ocean features strongly in his and the lives of people around him. The author presents a story that urges the readers to go beyond the author's wor More...
Jun 01, 2011
Kacky
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I liked this! Definitely more for high school age, than for middle school. It just sweetly broaches first love and first kiss from a boys' pov, very nice. I love the setting, Hawaii!
Jan 10, 2012
Lehua
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Wonderful! Salisbury understands Hawaii and knows how to connect with his audience by sharing just the right amount of detail and local culture without overwhelming the story.
Jun 30, 2011
Catherine
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Kona, the setting of this "novel in stories", develops into its own character--this book is very much about place and how it shapes us. The stories get better, and I felt more involved with Sonny, as I read on. I look forward to teaching this one, and to visiting Kona.
Oct 21, 2009
Jenna
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Hey, a book about Hawai'i that's a celebration of the land, not the sea. This isn't the greatest book ever, the most touching, or the most beautifully written, but it is a gentle and honest portrait of childhood - cruelties, contradictions, loyalties, adaptations. Sonny is a normal kid - he's not a prodigy or abuse victim, he doesn't have fourteen siblings or magic powers - and that's nice. His mother's dead and his father is somewhat removed, he's afraid of the water and struggles with racia
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Aug 28, 2009
Erin
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I was surprised at how well written this book is. Excellent read for anyone, but I'd specifically recommend it to 11-15 year old boys. If I knew any.
Apr 21, 2008
Denise
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A YA book by a well-respected author; coming-of-age tale that takes place in Kona in the 1960s. Very evocative of an earlier era in Hawaii; if you have been to Kona and liked it, you will enjoy this book.
Jan 19, 2008
Erin
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This book captures the colors, sounds and feelings of the islands. When I read this novel, I long to be walking along side my grandma in old Hilo bay at the farmer's markets, bartering on mangos and papayas.
Sep 21, 2011
Jacquelyn
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It was an interesting book, with many stories put together as one, it didn't really have any sort of main conflict, but many in each chapter.
Apr 12, 2008
Betsy
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Collection of short stories with similar characters about growing up in Hawii during the 50's. Easy read, great imagry believable experiences.
Mar 21, 2008
Christine
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one my favorite books that i had to read for school. mr. clark's english class, 8th grade.
Jan 12, 2012
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