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Sea Legs: A Graphic Novel
Set sail for adventure! Dive in to this hilarious and moving middle grade graphic memoir about friendship, growing up, and life at sea.
Janey's family is about to set sail for the adventure of a lifetime! The only problem? Janey must leave her school, her life, her best friend, the entire country behind for new adventures ― coral reefs, colorful markets, and new cultures. Life at sea is exhilarating, but there’s a major downside: when you’re raising anchor every few days with sights on a new harbor, it’s almost impossible to make new friends.
Finally, Janey meets the cool and aloof Astrid ― a fellow boat kid who’s equally starved for friendship. But Astrid can be a challenging friend to navigate, and beyond that, hurricane season has only just begun . . . .
At turns laugh-out-loud hilarious and heartbreakingly poingnant, this stunning middle grade graphic memoir charts both the turbulence and joys of growing up.
Janey's family is about to set sail for the adventure of a lifetime! The only problem? Janey must leave her school, her life, her best friend, the entire country behind for new adventures ― coral reefs, colorful markets, and new cultures. Life at sea is exhilarating, but there’s a major downside: when you’re raising anchor every few days with sights on a new harbor, it’s almost impossible to make new friends.
Finally, Janey meets the cool and aloof Astrid ― a fellow boat kid who’s equally starved for friendship. But Astrid can be a challenging friend to navigate, and beyond that, hurricane season has only just begun . . . .
At turns laugh-out-loud hilarious and heartbreakingly poingnant, this stunning middle grade graphic memoir charts both the turbulence and joys of growing up.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published February 4, 2025
78 people are currently reading
1290 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews
March 27, 2025
I wish I had read and viewed all of the material in the back of the book before I started reading vs. after finishing the book. All the way through I couldn’t tell whether this was biography or fiction. It’s a kind of mesh of both. It’s based on the author’s young life but it’s a novel, a graphic novel.
The story and the pictures are good (the pictures at the end in the back are fabulous and the photos are a welcome addition and the text explaining what was real was great too – I’m so glad they were all there.)
Some of the issues tackled are deep and interesting, raw and genuine and believable. They’re about friendship and jealousy, about one kid at risk even though we’re not sure exactly all the ways she is because the storyteller is only about nine and has limited information and understanding. It addresses bullying and loneliness. It includes a lot and what was there I fully appreciated.
Something was missing for me though. It was acceptable that a couple of major things went unresolved because that it what seems to have happened. I think I read this as snapshots of events and experiences and I wanted more. More flow. More details. Just more.
I did enjoy it though and I would recommend it to other readers, particularly to children who are living unconventional lives and to older readers who had unusual childhoods, and to anyone who’s moved a lot and/or been isolated, particularly in the time before cell phones and social media and computers.
3-1/2 stars
The story and the pictures are good (the pictures at the end in the back are fabulous and the photos are a welcome addition and the text explaining what was real was great too – I’m so glad they were all there.)
Some of the issues tackled are deep and interesting, raw and genuine and believable. They’re about friendship and jealousy, about one kid at risk even though we’re not sure exactly all the ways she is because the storyteller is only about nine and has limited information and understanding. It addresses bullying and loneliness. It includes a lot and what was there I fully appreciated.
Something was missing for me though. It was acceptable that a couple of major things went unresolved because that it what seems to have happened. I think I read this as snapshots of events and experiences and I wanted more. More flow. More details. Just more.
I did enjoy it though and I would recommend it to other readers, particularly to children who are living unconventional lives and to older readers who had unusual childhoods, and to anyone who’s moved a lot and/or been isolated, particularly in the time before cell phones and social media and computers.
3-1/2 stars
February 20, 2025
Went for an evening walk and stopped in the Atwater comic store on a whim and picked this up on a whim. Stayed up late to finish and then realized it came out like 2 days ago! I think young me would’ve loved graphic novels so I’m going to read as many as I can as less-young me.
March 16, 2025
Set in 1993, and heavily based on the author's lived experience, this graphic novel follows Janey's very unusual fourth grade year. Her parents own and live on a 40-foot steel sailing ship. They've been mooring in Miami, Florida, and Janey has been attending a regular public school where she has made a best friend, Rae. But Janey's parents want to set to sea again, so Janey and her cat Sassa are off to the Caribbean. There are many wonderful things about sailing- new islands, new food, new views every morning- but it's lonely too. Janey sends letters to Rae but can only receive them when the family stays in a port long enough to get a PO box. She's often bored, doesn't want to do her homework, wishes she had any friends near by. Finally the family's boat, the Merrimaid, stops St Thomas for a while, where her parents get part time jobs. Janey spots a girl only a little older living on another boat in the harbor. Astrid is aloof, challenging, mysterious, and knows a lot of places on the island where kids can get into trouble. Janey is entranced by her, but too young to see the precarious and potentially abusive situation Astrid is living in. This book is BEAUTIFULLY drawn, bright and sharp. I was completely drawn in to Janey's world and the struggles she faces with her parents and her two very different friends, Rae and Astrid. This book brought back how hard it was to maintain a long distance friendship in the 90s, and also pointed out how easy it is for kids without responsible adults in their lives to disappear off the map. It's more challenging and dark than the colorful cover suggests but I HIGHLY recommend it.
March 20, 2025
Despite a breezy looking cover, as it goes on, this book gets into BIG deep heavy topics extremely well (while still being at a good level for young readers).
Based on the writer’s own childhood living on a boat - which I think you can tell from the depth of experience and emotion - the story centres around the isolating and sometimes dangerous experience that could be, and her changing childhood friendships. Made me cry and think about the people who drift in and out of contact in our lives. Just empathetic and real and flows beautifully as a comic, really recommend.
Based on the writer’s own childhood living on a boat - which I think you can tell from the depth of experience and emotion - the story centres around the isolating and sometimes dangerous experience that could be, and her changing childhood friendships. Made me cry and think about the people who drift in and out of contact in our lives. Just empathetic and real and flows beautifully as a comic, really recommend.
January 31, 2025
I liked the overall setting of this book. It was fun to follow Janey and her parents along as they sailed around and to see what life is like for a kid living on a boat. I did feel like some of the content was a little darker/more mature than the intended age range is used to. I think that could be good in some ways because there are definitely kids out there who are living lives more like Astrid, but I also feel like for most kids some stuff is going to go over their heads. I also thought Janey’s mom was a little too oblivious to Astrid’s situation and that seemed a little unrealistic.
Note: Thanks to Scholastic for the advanced review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Note: Thanks to Scholastic for the advanced review copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 7, 2025
This middle grade graphic novel so perfectly captures the silliness and playfulness of being young and growing up alongside the difficulties of making friends, saying goodbye and starting anew. Janey's entire life has been movement as her family lives primarily on a boat and they never stay in one place for too long. I could so relate to Janey's desire to make friends and lasting connection even out at sea. I appreciate the more direct themes of equity and privilege, alongside the different ways we can be brave.
February 9, 2025
This is such a delightful novel. This is the type of book you pick up, and think you are only going to read a few pages, and then you find yourself putting aside all the other things you wanted to do, and reading it all the way through.
I went into this knowing nothing about the story, which is good, but here is the brief idea of what you will find in these pages. Janey is about to go sailing with her parents. She has done so before, but it has been some time, and she has to get her sea legs back, in other words get used to being on the ship again. She misses her best friend, and tries to find someone, anyone who can sort of take her place.
Not an easy thing to do when you are out at sea.
I loved the sense of wonder, and frustration that Janey felt throughout the story. The illustrations are marvelous. You really feel as though you are there. The only place I have been is St. Thomas, and the drawings do remind me of it, though I never went to the places Janey went.
Funny, fun, sad, all the things you expect from a good story. Even if you think you don’t want to read a story about a girl on a boat, you might be surprised.
All the stars.
February 22, 2025
Having lived on a boat with my daughter, I was really looking forward to this unique perspective of being a “liveaboard” kid. Unfortunately, the story really fell flat for me. I was hoping for more character growth all around - with the kids and the parents as well. I was kind of disappointed with the ending even though it was probably pretty accurate to what the author experienced. I just wish there had been more. Maybe it will be a series? The art is wonderful and accurately depicts Caribbean boat life as I experienced it at least. Smith uses a lot of manpu which carried the narrative and personality of the characters more than the author was able to with text alone.
March 27, 2025
This middle grade graphic novel draws heavily on the author's experiences growing up in an unconventional way.
The illustrations are lovely and this story explores well the challenges of living on a sailboat, the difficulties of making and losing friends, how friends can show us different parts of ourselves, and the complexities of not living a "normal" life.
I've met several kids raised in a similar manner and have found them to be some of the most interesting, resilient, and self motivated young adults.
The illustrations are lovely and this story explores well the challenges of living on a sailboat, the difficulties of making and losing friends, how friends can show us different parts of ourselves, and the complexities of not living a "normal" life.
I've met several kids raised in a similar manner and have found them to be some of the most interesting, resilient, and self motivated young adults.
March 2, 2025
Fantastic art and a really interesting plot, but I found almost every character annoying.
July 7, 2025
Enjoyable graphic novel about a girl growing up aboard a sailboat in Florida and the Caribbean.
March 14, 2025
In this graphic novel inspired by the author’s unconventional childhood, soon-to-be fourth grader Janey embarks on a life of adventure aboard her parents’ sailboat.
It’s 1993, and Janey is leaving Florida to return to the Merimaid, the boat she calls home. While her parents work on shore to earn money to keep sailing, Janey attends school—until it’s time to set off again. The book captures both the excitement of life at sea and the challenges of isolation. Missing her best friend on land, Janey reaches out over the radio and connects with Astrid, an older, bold, and discontented girl who also lives on a boat with her family. Their friendship quickly develops, but Astrid pushes Janey beyond her comfort zone, forcing her to face new fears. As Janey comes to understand Astrid’s struggles, she gains a new appreciation for her own life and the freedoms she once took for granted.
It’s captivating and original, with manga inspired art that’s bright and creatively executed. A winner and I’ll definitely seek out #2 in the series!
It’s 1993, and Janey is leaving Florida to return to the Merimaid, the boat she calls home. While her parents work on shore to earn money to keep sailing, Janey attends school—until it’s time to set off again. The book captures both the excitement of life at sea and the challenges of isolation. Missing her best friend on land, Janey reaches out over the radio and connects with Astrid, an older, bold, and discontented girl who also lives on a boat with her family. Their friendship quickly develops, but Astrid pushes Janey beyond her comfort zone, forcing her to face new fears. As Janey comes to understand Astrid’s struggles, she gains a new appreciation for her own life and the freedoms she once took for granted.
It’s captivating and original, with manga inspired art that’s bright and creatively executed. A winner and I’ll definitely seek out #2 in the series!
December 19, 2025
The art in this was breathtaking, especially that first 2 page layout of the Florida town! And the storytelling is right up there as well. The emotions did not take much imagination to feel and even though Janey is about 2 decades younger than me her emotions still felt very real and relatable. Highly recommend this book!!
May 8, 2025
I guess my aversion to boats carries over to people who live on them!
June 3, 2025
I love this book! The drawings are so pretty, the story is engaging, and the characters pop out of the page. A really fun book.
July 27, 2025
I don't know, y'all, I feel like I read an entirely different book than what the cover portrays, and from what other people's reviews say.
It's 1993, and a tween, Janey, lives in a boat with her parents and cat and is constantly traveling across the seas. She's had a brief stay on the mainland in Florida while her parents work, and has finally made a BFF. But then it's time to set sail once more for the Caribbean, and Janey is not happy about it. She wants to stay in school! But she has no choice.
The family makes a stop in the Virgin Islands, where Janey meets and befriends a teen named Astrid. Astrid's dad is a drunk who makes her parent her two much younger siblings. Astrid participates in increasingly dangerous and illegal activities, forcing Janey to do so too. Janey resists at the end, and learns that Astrid is miserable, and her dad won't let her go to school. There's also one time Janey swims to Astrid's boat, and Astrid is obviously terrified that Janey is around while her dad is there. She swiftly tries to get Janey to safety.
Though never outright stated, it seemed to me that Astrid was being physically abused, with possible SA. It felt like I was reading Educated if the author had been trying to hide all the abuse, or a horror novel posing as happy-go-lucky general fiction. One thing is for sure; it did not make boating out to be at all magical. I was scared for all the kids! Especially Astrid. That poor girl.
I did like the art, and it's a neat topic that I've never read before. It's based heavily on the author's own experiences.
It's 1993, and a tween, Janey, lives in a boat with her parents and cat and is constantly traveling across the seas. She's had a brief stay on the mainland in Florida while her parents work, and has finally made a BFF. But then it's time to set sail once more for the Caribbean, and Janey is not happy about it. She wants to stay in school! But she has no choice.
The family makes a stop in the Virgin Islands, where Janey meets and befriends a teen named Astrid. Astrid's dad is a drunk who makes her parent her two much younger siblings. Astrid participates in increasingly dangerous and illegal activities, forcing Janey to do so too. Janey resists at the end, and learns that Astrid is miserable, and her dad won't let her go to school. There's also one time Janey swims to Astrid's boat, and Astrid is obviously terrified that Janey is around while her dad is there. She swiftly tries to get Janey to safety.
Though never outright stated, it seemed to me that Astrid was being physically abused, with possible SA. It felt like I was reading Educated if the author had been trying to hide all the abuse, or a horror novel posing as happy-go-lucky general fiction. One thing is for sure; it did not make boating out to be at all magical. I was scared for all the kids! Especially Astrid. That poor girl.
I did like the art, and it's a neat topic that I've never read before. It's based heavily on the author's own experiences.
December 7, 2025
Another middle grade graphic memoir, this time about a girl who lives on a boat with her parents. I don’t think this was terribly memorable.
April 28, 2025
This graphic memoir about part of a childhood spent at sea is beautifully detailed, utterly absorbing and packs an emotional punch. I think if I were my child self growing up nowadays I would only read graphic novels. Roughly 95% of the recently published children's books I read are graphic novels. I don't quite understand why I like them so much, whereas graphic novels for adults frequently don't work for me. Regardless, this is really good.
November 19, 2025
Janey has been on land long enough to make a friend that she hates to leave, but her parents have the travel bug, so once again, they set sail in their sail boat for the Caribbean. Janey finally finds her sea legs again, but misses her best friend. She tries to make a new friend, but annoys Astrid, a fellow boat kid, with her complaints. Astrid leads Janey into dangerous and morally dubious situations, but they finally begin friends when each girl yields a little. They don't get to say goodbye when Janey is sent away ahead of a hurricane.
October 2, 2024
so happy to get to share my thoughts on Jule‘s and Niki‘s latest work!
Already familiar with Niki‘s previous work, I was excited to get my hands on Sea Legs, and let me tell you: (as always) she does not disappoint! The artwork ranges from adorable lighthearted moments, expressive characters that help deliver the humor and story skillfully and atmospheric scenery which allow the reader to empathize with the more emotional scenes.
The beautiful art melts effortlessly with Jule’s exceptional writing and storytelling! To be quite honest with you, I was expecting a quick fun story with autobiographical aspects from the author. But even though the author did pack Sea Legs with witty and clever humor, that made me chuckle multiple times during my read, there is a heavy hitting and heart-aching story waiting to be discovered. It might have hit even harder, because I wasn’t expecting it, but regardless it did provoke thought in me, about what matters in life and what it means to be grateful for the things you have, while still acknowledging the hardships you‘re going through. Sea Legs lingers with you, both in the lighthearted and of course the heavy hitting moments.
I am highly anticipating further work of Jules and Niki, maybe even another collaboration :))?
Already familiar with Niki‘s previous work, I was excited to get my hands on Sea Legs, and let me tell you: (as always) she does not disappoint! The artwork ranges from adorable lighthearted moments, expressive characters that help deliver the humor and story skillfully and atmospheric scenery which allow the reader to empathize with the more emotional scenes.
The beautiful art melts effortlessly with Jule’s exceptional writing and storytelling! To be quite honest with you, I was expecting a quick fun story with autobiographical aspects from the author. But even though the author did pack Sea Legs with witty and clever humor, that made me chuckle multiple times during my read, there is a heavy hitting and heart-aching story waiting to be discovered. It might have hit even harder, because I wasn’t expecting it, but regardless it did provoke thought in me, about what matters in life and what it means to be grateful for the things you have, while still acknowledging the hardships you‘re going through. Sea Legs lingers with you, both in the lighthearted and of course the heavy hitting moments.
I am highly anticipating further work of Jules and Niki, maybe even another collaboration :))?
June 25, 2025
The art style didn’t really do it for me and I hated Astrid. Talk about a frenemy! Also the book just sort of…ended?
September 24, 2024
I received an ARC of this book for my honest opinion.
Janey and her parents live on the ocean in their sailboat for years at a time so she is desperate to find other boat kids to play with. When she comes across Astrid, she realizes that perhaps her life is not as hard as it could be. I really enjoyed this novel! A fascinating look into the author’s upbringing of being a boat kid, always transient but also always loved. A wonderful new look at the changes in life as you are growing up and the kinds of stability that are most important.
Janey and her parents live on the ocean in their sailboat for years at a time so she is desperate to find other boat kids to play with. When she comes across Astrid, she realizes that perhaps her life is not as hard as it could be. I really enjoyed this novel! A fascinating look into the author’s upbringing of being a boat kid, always transient but also always loved. A wonderful new look at the changes in life as you are growing up and the kinds of stability that are most important.
October 28, 2024
Very interesting graphic novel! The book tackles life as a kid who lives in a boat with their family. I love how the story is grounded in reality and really shows you how Janey feels as they travel the Caribbean and how it affects her life (trying to stay connected with her old friend in the mainland and trying to find a friend who can relate to her). I love the introduction of Astrid and the dynamic between the two of them as well.
Highly recommend! Very thoughtful middle grade graphic novel!
Highly recommend! Very thoughtful middle grade graphic novel!
April 10, 2025
Janey's family lives on a boat. This book chronicles the ups and downs of life on the sea. School is difficult. Making friends impossible. But the open air and freedom are priceless.
I'm not sure I'm built for a life on the water, but I like the details we get here of navigating a small space, dodging weather and learning how to grow up and make friends when you are so untethered from a consistent group of people.
Janey learns that every person's life on the water isn't the same as hers.
I am eager for the next installment.
Thanks to E1 for the recommendation.
I'm not sure I'm built for a life on the water, but I like the details we get here of navigating a small space, dodging weather and learning how to grow up and make friends when you are so untethered from a consistent group of people.
Janey learns that every person's life on the water isn't the same as hers.
I am eager for the next installment.
Thanks to E1 for the recommendation.
February 19, 2025
I listened to the audiobook version of this middle grade graphic novel memoir about a young girl whose parents decide to leave their Florida home and set sail on a boat. Chronicling her experiences dealing with seasickness, loneliness and home schooling. I thought it was cute and look forward to checking out more of what seems to be a new series.
September 29, 2024
Beautiful illustrations. I think it's time to leave behind the "other pepple are going through harder things than me so I should be more appreciative because I don't have it has hard" theme in coming of age books for young readers.
March 16, 2025
What a fresh perspective for a middle grade graphic novel! It reminded me a bit in tone of Next Stop by Debbie Fong as it starts out feeling like a bubbly adventure, but then turns more serious in a way that feels authentic to real life struggle.
May 25, 2024
ARC review:
A delightful, funny, and sometimes painful, depiction of friendship and growing up. The story is heartfelt and the art is so freaking good!
A delightful, funny, and sometimes painful, depiction of friendship and growing up. The story is heartfelt and the art is so freaking good!
April 9, 2025
This was a moving graphic novel about a girl who lives with her parents on a sail boat, and the isolation that brings.
April 18, 2025
Jr graphic novel
Janey and her fam live on a boat travelling near the Bahamas
She has a love hate relationship being in the boat
It’s witty and endearing
Learning lots about boat life
Janey and her fam live on a boat travelling near the Bahamas
She has a love hate relationship being in the boat
It’s witty and endearing
Learning lots about boat life
Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews