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41st out of 260 books
—
75 voters
Drawing the Ocean
A gifted painter, Sadie comes from California to Connecticut determined to fit in at her new school. Yet her first attempt at making friends in the new town backfires when she reaches out to the loner everyone calls Fryin' Ryan, the very last person who can help her achieve her dream. And to further complicate matters, her twin brother, Ollie, keeps appearing to her, seemi...more
Hardcover, 176 pages
Published
October 3rd 2006
by Roaring Brook Press
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Drawing the Ocean is Carolyn MacCullough's third novel. Like her others it is geared toward a teen audience. But, like most of the books I review here, I can argue confidently that the writing has enough depth to entertain even snobs who refuse to pick up a YA or Children's novel under any circumstances.On to the actual review:
After moving to a new town with her parents, Sadie is desperate to fit in. Even if certain aspects of her personality seem determined to keep Sadie from calling herself no...more
After moving to a new town with her parents, Sadie is desperate to fit in. Even if certain aspects of her personality seem determined to keep Sadie from calling herself no...more
This book has the 3 things all books should have, a compelling story, beautifully written words and wonderful characters. To begin the story feel real since Carolyn brings to life so much real details. All the characters matter in this book and go one with the other. The message in the book is Choice, making the right or wrong call and how it affects you afterwards.
Story is centered around Sadie, she has been relocated to a new town. Like all kids in a new town you want to fit in your new schoo...more
Story is centered around Sadie, she has been relocated to a new town. Like all kids in a new town you want to fit in your new schoo...more
Sadie: Just moved here from California, is sixteen, loves art and hopes to finally be part of the in-crowd when she begins school.
Ryan: or Fryin' Ryan, thinks Sadie is a mermaid, loves poetry, carries a briefcase around and is a total geek that no-one likes, except Sadie–And she only talks to him when no-one is around.
Lila: pretty popular girl who wants to act. She befriends Sadie and introduces her to all sorts of things teens should never do, smoking pot, and (ouch) teaching her to drive in se...more
Ryan: or Fryin' Ryan, thinks Sadie is a mermaid, loves poetry, carries a briefcase around and is a total geek that no-one likes, except Sadie–And she only talks to him when no-one is around.
Lila: pretty popular girl who wants to act. She befriends Sadie and introduces her to all sorts of things teens should never do, smoking pot, and (ouch) teaching her to drive in se...more
This is a beautifully told story, full of the awkwardnesses of discovering who you are and then being true to that. Sadie must come to terms with a tragedy that literally haunts her. This was handled so movingly that I cried more than once. At times cowardly and at others courageous, she is always sympathetic and usually likable.
I fell in love Ryan. He's the type of guy I hung out with in school, and I wished that I could hop through the pages to sit with him during lunch.
Lila, though cold at fi...more
I fell in love Ryan. He's the type of guy I hung out with in school, and I wished that I could hop through the pages to sit with him during lunch.
Lila, though cold at fi...more
Sadie lost her twin brother Ollie when they were 12. He wanted her to join him down at the beach where she could draw and paint the ocean. Sadie, annoyed with her brother, told him that you could never paint the ocean because it was always changing. Moments later, regret, pain and loss set in. However, as Sadie goes through the next few years, Ollie's ghost appears - keeping her soul company. Soon the family has moved to a new town, a new school - where Sadie can just blend in and try to have a...more
Tis book was ( three words) sad, page turner, and compelling. :D I highly recommend it. Even though this is coming from me ( a 12 yr old) I noes :D !!!
Reviewed by Marta Morrison for TeensReadToo.com
I really enjoyed reading this wonderful book.
DRAWING THE OCEAN is the story of Sadie, a high school student, whose family moves from California to the East Coast. Sadie is an artist who loves to draw the ocean, hence the title of the book. It is almost a spiritual thing for her.
She is very nervous about starting a new high school. You know, she is worried about being behind in her studies and having last month's hair. She should be nervous, though...more
I really enjoyed reading this wonderful book.
DRAWING THE OCEAN is the story of Sadie, a high school student, whose family moves from California to the East Coast. Sadie is an artist who loves to draw the ocean, hence the title of the book. It is almost a spiritual thing for her.
She is very nervous about starting a new high school. You know, she is worried about being behind in her studies and having last month's hair. She should be nervous, though...more
This was an excellent look into death, loss and second chances without being too in your face and preachy. It was such a gentle telling of loss, like a feather, instead of a boulder to my emotions. It's not a deep book, but it's still a nice, quiet read.
Sixteen-year-old Sadie still lives in the aftermath of her twin brother's death four years later. She has the chance to start over at a new school and fit in. This is her journey, and I like the decisions she makes.
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This book was adorable. It's not perfect and it's not legendary but it's one of those books that makes me smile. I loved the characters and most of the situations. And Ryan was the perfect boy. It made me really miss all my high school friends who were crazy and out there, thinking about books and situations, making jokes that only you understand.
I also loved how sometimes Sadie thought in colors. :) Wonderful idea!!
I also loved how sometimes Sadie thought in colors. :) Wonderful idea!!
This one sounded better than it actually was. Sadie's life was filled with teen angst and not really interesting even though she saw her dead brother. The most interesting character was Ryan and only because he strove to not fit in by calling all sorts of attention to himself, but in a really weird way. All in all this one was utterly predictable.
This was good, although I've seen it done before and better. It's almost like the author was visibly trying her best to write something that would win the Caldicott award--and because of that it simply didn't feel real. However, desipte that slight ring of falsness, the book still managed to be touching.
I liked this book, which is well written and compelling. It's slim, though, and felt to me like it could have been fleshed out more. It reminded me a bit of a Sarah Dessen book, except Dessen develops her characters and plots more fully.
I liked how the book was not centered around her still seeing her brother, even though it contributed to the story a lot. Also I thought the ending felt rushed, but other then that this was a really good book.
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This is one of the books which 'explains' why I read YA. Will LJ properly soon, but this was beautifully written, had interesting characters who seemed as if they might be stereotypes, but turned out to be much more interesting. I loved that Sadie's friend Lila looked like a typical Queen Bee Mean Girl type, and then there was a lot of tension developed around what kind of friends each of them would be to the other. Also loved the fact that there was no big revelation about whether Ollie really...more
Mar 05, 2009
Sabrinaa
added it
Her twin brother died when they are 12 but she can still see him. He helps her live her life and stay true to herself.
OMG! THIS BOOK WAS FANTASTIC THIS IS A MUST READ :)
i loved this book it was truely inspiering
The author basically wrote this book because she was fascinated by the concept of twins, and wondered how one would do if the other was no longer around. I think this book was more about a high school girl's experience in choosing between right and popular, all while trying to fit in. There are lots of ambiguous characters who you aren't sure if you like or not throughout the book. Definitely intriguing, and I liked some of the author's wording because it made me laugh out loud.
Really amazing book, kind of weird but still very good
Good story. Even had some interesting characters and details.
Whenever I think of the Ocean, I think of this book, I almost cried when I was reading it, so sad. Whenever I go to the Library I go to where it always is and pull it out. Then I just stare at the cover and read the inside flap a few times.
This book is about a girl, who four years after her twin brother died, is still trying to collect her thoughts and become her own person. It made me sad, but did give me some ideas...
A powerful quiet read for all ages. One of those young adult books that cross all age lines. I really enjoyed this book.
Good fast read, young adult book.
May 17, 2013
Maisha
marked it as to-read
May 16, 2013
Ruth Castellon
marked it as to-read
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Carolyn MacCullough received her MFA in creative writing from the New School and lives with her husband in Brooklyn.
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