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How to Sail to Somewhere
A beautiful and deeply moving story about friendship, family, hope and the power of the ocean, for middle-grade readers who love a mystery, from popular children's author Ashleigh Barton.
Beatrice Glass - Bea - lives in a tiny fishing village that's sleepy all year until the summertime, when the tourists flock in and most of the locals leave. But summer is also when Bea's favourite person in the entire world, her fun and hilarious uncle, Byron, comes to stay.
On their last day together the previous summer, Byron had given Bea an intriguing antique book containing a map of Somewhere, a mysterious island off the coast, and promised that next summer they'd sail to Somewhere together for their best adventure yet.
That was last year. Now summer has arrived, but Byron hasn't. And now it looks like he never will.
Are the book and Byron's disappearance linked? Byron has left some clues for Bea - a scavenger hunt of sorts designed to bring her and her new friend, Arabella, together and give Bea one last magical summer. Could Somewhere hold the key to both Bea's and Arabella's future?
A story of lost and found, of friendship, family, hope and the power of the ocean, for middle-grade readers who love a mystery.
'Emotionally and structurally satisfying, its evocative, elegiac tone balanced by tidy prose that keeps the story grounded . . . It also conjures vibes of older classics such as Lucy M. Boston's Green Knowe series' BOOKS+PUBLISHING
'A beautiful middle-grade novel with a whimsical olde-worlde feel . . . A truly lovely book' GOOD READING MAGAZINE
Beatrice Glass - Bea - lives in a tiny fishing village that's sleepy all year until the summertime, when the tourists flock in and most of the locals leave. But summer is also when Bea's favourite person in the entire world, her fun and hilarious uncle, Byron, comes to stay.
On their last day together the previous summer, Byron had given Bea an intriguing antique book containing a map of Somewhere, a mysterious island off the coast, and promised that next summer they'd sail to Somewhere together for their best adventure yet.
That was last year. Now summer has arrived, but Byron hasn't. And now it looks like he never will.
Are the book and Byron's disappearance linked? Byron has left some clues for Bea - a scavenger hunt of sorts designed to bring her and her new friend, Arabella, together and give Bea one last magical summer. Could Somewhere hold the key to both Bea's and Arabella's future?
A story of lost and found, of friendship, family, hope and the power of the ocean, for middle-grade readers who love a mystery.
'Emotionally and structurally satisfying, its evocative, elegiac tone balanced by tidy prose that keeps the story grounded . . . It also conjures vibes of older classics such as Lucy M. Boston's Green Knowe series' BOOKS+PUBLISHING
'A beautiful middle-grade novel with a whimsical olde-worlde feel . . . A truly lovely book' GOOD READING MAGAZINE
142 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 26, 2025
4 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 30, 2025
This is such a beautiful book.
Bea is an only child, with working parents and the whole summer school holiday ahead of her.
In the past this would be Bea’s favourite time of year - her mother’s brother, Byron (Bea’s uncle) would come to stay.
This year is different. There’s no Byron and, Bea’s memories assail her.
It turns out Bea isn’t the only person in the small, seaside town this summer dealing with the loss of a loved one. When a series of events bring Bea, Arabella and local fisherman, Ray together they find adventure, friendship and acceptance.
The mystery and adventure at the heart of this story kept a good pace and readers racing for another chapter.
The picnics, meals and snacks will make any reader’s tummy rumble.
And, the description of the town and coast made me want to take the family for a day trip to Kiama, NSW.
Thank you, Ashleigh Barton.
I recommend this book to confident readers aged 8 yrs old and onwards.
This would make a lovely years 3-4 class text, an excellent class read aloud and a splendid movie.
Bea is an only child, with working parents and the whole summer school holiday ahead of her.
In the past this would be Bea’s favourite time of year - her mother’s brother, Byron (Bea’s uncle) would come to stay.
This year is different. There’s no Byron and, Bea’s memories assail her.
It turns out Bea isn’t the only person in the small, seaside town this summer dealing with the loss of a loved one. When a series of events bring Bea, Arabella and local fisherman, Ray together they find adventure, friendship and acceptance.
The mystery and adventure at the heart of this story kept a good pace and readers racing for another chapter.
The picnics, meals and snacks will make any reader’s tummy rumble.
And, the description of the town and coast made me want to take the family for a day trip to Kiama, NSW.
Thank you, Ashleigh Barton.
I recommend this book to confident readers aged 8 yrs old and onwards.
This would make a lovely years 3-4 class text, an excellent class read aloud and a splendid movie.
March 2, 2026
This would make an excellent read aloud for Year 4/5.
A book about friendship and mystery. It touches on family and loss and a great love of the ocean. Cleverly crafted.
Mr 9 gave it 4.5 and I gave it 5.
The characters were excellent and Ray (the grumpy old, but actually not grumpy old man) was an absolute favourite.
A book about friendship and mystery. It touches on family and loss and a great love of the ocean. Cleverly crafted.
Mr 9 gave it 4.5 and I gave it 5.
The characters were excellent and Ray (the grumpy old, but actually not grumpy old man) was an absolute favourite.
August 27, 2025
“No matter how far away you sail, I’ll be with you on every adventure.”
I ploughed through this one pretty quickly, aided by the sub 300 pages, short’ish chapters & spaced out formatting. And of course the beautiful story that was engaging & emotional.
Beatrice (Bea) lives in a small coastal town and spends every summer with her visiting Uncle Byron having the best time ever. After promising last summer that they would sail out to the mysterious island, ‘Somewhere’, Byron doesn’t turn up this year. Despite being left with an antique book & a map of ‘Somewhere’, Bea has no desire to head to the island without Byron until she inadvertently runs into Arabella, the popular girl from school. Arabella knows all about ‘Somewhere’ too, and soon they join forces and start to notice some strange clues & connections between themselves, the island & a big adventure. Will the girls be able to unravel the set of clues & discover the adventure that awaits them or will the loss of Byron be too much for Bea to handle & leave them both with unanswered questions?
What a sweet & charming read this was. Ashleigh has written a story of adventure & mystery and seamlessly blended in strong themes of friendship, family & grief. As such, the book provides a perfect springboard for sensitive discussions about dealing with loss in different ways. The clever inclusion of a scavenger hunt with clues, leaves an air of mystery lingering throughout the book, culminating in an emotional ending to warm the heart. The two young protagonists, both brave & independent, are a resounding highlight and will connect and resonate with young readers, particularly those with a curious & creative disposition.
Like I said, a beautiful read. Congratulations on a fantastic middle grade debut Ashleigh!
#LoveOzMG #middlegradereads #middlegradebooks #bookstagram #kidsbooks #mgreads #middlegrade #middlegradefiction #readmoremiddlegrade #middlegradebookstagram #mgbooks #mgbookstagram #mgbookshelf #middlegradebookreview #middlegradelit #teachersofinstagram
I ploughed through this one pretty quickly, aided by the sub 300 pages, short’ish chapters & spaced out formatting. And of course the beautiful story that was engaging & emotional.
Beatrice (Bea) lives in a small coastal town and spends every summer with her visiting Uncle Byron having the best time ever. After promising last summer that they would sail out to the mysterious island, ‘Somewhere’, Byron doesn’t turn up this year. Despite being left with an antique book & a map of ‘Somewhere’, Bea has no desire to head to the island without Byron until she inadvertently runs into Arabella, the popular girl from school. Arabella knows all about ‘Somewhere’ too, and soon they join forces and start to notice some strange clues & connections between themselves, the island & a big adventure. Will the girls be able to unravel the set of clues & discover the adventure that awaits them or will the loss of Byron be too much for Bea to handle & leave them both with unanswered questions?
What a sweet & charming read this was. Ashleigh has written a story of adventure & mystery and seamlessly blended in strong themes of friendship, family & grief. As such, the book provides a perfect springboard for sensitive discussions about dealing with loss in different ways. The clever inclusion of a scavenger hunt with clues, leaves an air of mystery lingering throughout the book, culminating in an emotional ending to warm the heart. The two young protagonists, both brave & independent, are a resounding highlight and will connect and resonate with young readers, particularly those with a curious & creative disposition.
Like I said, a beautiful read. Congratulations on a fantastic middle grade debut Ashleigh!
#LoveOzMG #middlegradereads #middlegradebooks #bookstagram #kidsbooks #mgreads #middlegrade #middlegradefiction #readmoremiddlegrade #middlegradebookstagram #mgbooks #mgbookstagram #mgbookshelf #middlegradebookreview #middlegradelit #teachersofinstagram
March 8, 2026
Living in a small seaside town that is busy in the summer season, Bea has always had her Uncle Byron to entertain and amuse her while her busy parents work. Last year they planned to sail the mysterious island Somewhere, but Byron does not return and Bea is devastated. Unexpectedly she makes friends with Annabel, who she thought was aloof, but is only lonely as her dad runs a busy fish and chip cafe and her mum as disappeared - perhaps to the island of Somewhere.
As friendship grows the two girls start to investigate the island and its mysterious past and then to make their own plans to visit - maybe Byron and Annabel's mum are there?
A good mystery with interesting detective work that aligns with the growing friendship between the girls. Different family dynamics add breadth but there are some jarring aspects - Annabel's dad is a delight but he too has his secrets that have unsettled his daughter. The apparent disinterest by Bea's parents from her daily life is hard to accept. The unexplained absence of Byron and Annabel's mother are not explained until the end and both girl's deal with grief in isolation and. unsupported by the grown ups in their life. Young readers may not question this but adults surely would.
CBCA 2026 Younger Reader Notable title.
As friendship grows the two girls start to investigate the island and its mysterious past and then to make their own plans to visit - maybe Byron and Annabel's mum are there?
A good mystery with interesting detective work that aligns with the growing friendship between the girls. Different family dynamics add breadth but there are some jarring aspects - Annabel's dad is a delight but he too has his secrets that have unsettled his daughter. The apparent disinterest by Bea's parents from her daily life is hard to accept. The unexplained absence of Byron and Annabel's mother are not explained until the end and both girl's deal with grief in isolation and. unsupported by the grown ups in their life. Young readers may not question this but adults surely would.
CBCA 2026 Younger Reader Notable title.
April 26, 2025
My heart is aching after reading this. What a beautiful book about grief, friendship, loneliness, and the ocean. Bea is alone for summer, during a time her Uncle Byron usually visits for fun and non-stop adventures. But this summer, Byron isn’t here, and with both of her parents busy working, Bea is all alone.
Ashleigh does such a magnificent job of describing the gorgeous beachside town that Bea lives in - it makes me want to visit with my family! The snippets of Bea and Byron’s adventures together were the reason for my smiles, and also my tears.
I wanted to give most characters in this book a big hug. To live somewhere this gorgeous would be a dream, but I imagine the loneliness that would come from living somewhere isolated, particularly during times of stress or grief, would be challenging.
Recommended for ages 8+, this book would be perfect for anyone who has lost someone special in their lives, who loves the ocean, and a bit of mystery and adventure.
Ashleigh does such a magnificent job of describing the gorgeous beachside town that Bea lives in - it makes me want to visit with my family! The snippets of Bea and Byron’s adventures together were the reason for my smiles, and also my tears.
I wanted to give most characters in this book a big hug. To live somewhere this gorgeous would be a dream, but I imagine the loneliness that would come from living somewhere isolated, particularly during times of stress or grief, would be challenging.
Recommended for ages 8+, this book would be perfect for anyone who has lost someone special in their lives, who loves the ocean, and a bit of mystery and adventure.
July 30, 2025
I enjoyed this coming-of-age, friendship story.
Beatrice is not excited about another summer in Willow with her parents working and her friends away. She usually spends it with her uncle, but he isn't coming this summer or any other summer. Bea is heartbroken. She finds a map adn has a collection of interesting things her uncle gave her, all relating to Somewhere, an island off the coast.
Bored, she finds herself with not very friendly girls she knows from school who sees her book about Somewhere. The book belongs to Arabella, and there is an inscription on the front. How could that be? Her uncle said he bought it.
Arabella and Bea slowly become friends over their shared dream of going to Somewhere. The girls decide they will sail to Somewhere, but that doesn't go well. Will the girls find out why Bea's uncle took Arabella's book, and what is on Somewhere that they must see?
Recommended for readers ten years and older.
Beatrice is not excited about another summer in Willow with her parents working and her friends away. She usually spends it with her uncle, but he isn't coming this summer or any other summer. Bea is heartbroken. She finds a map adn has a collection of interesting things her uncle gave her, all relating to Somewhere, an island off the coast.
Bored, she finds herself with not very friendly girls she knows from school who sees her book about Somewhere. The book belongs to Arabella, and there is an inscription on the front. How could that be? Her uncle said he bought it.
Arabella and Bea slowly become friends over their shared dream of going to Somewhere. The girls decide they will sail to Somewhere, but that doesn't go well. Will the girls find out why Bea's uncle took Arabella's book, and what is on Somewhere that they must see?
Recommended for readers ten years and older.
May 17, 2025
Ash Barton is SPECTACULAR! I just read this with my 9 year old daughter and we loved it! How to Sail to Somewhere is a warm hug of a book which, has the surface layer of a beautiful story and the deeper layer of grief and belonging and friendship. For a book to journey through grief in this way is SO profound. You very much should read it with your child. Brilliant descriptive writing. Wonderful pacing. Characters to fall in love with. Heart warming goodness!!!
December 28, 2025
I loved, loved, loved this book!
It's such a beautiful story of friendship, loss and adventure. I was captivated the entire time.
I loved the main characters, they're all so beautifully written. Ashleigh Barton is a talented author, thank you for writing this story!
My heart is full and warm, and I'll definitely be putting this at the top of my list of books to recommend to the students in our library.
It's such a beautiful story of friendship, loss and adventure. I was captivated the entire time.
I loved the main characters, they're all so beautifully written. Ashleigh Barton is a talented author, thank you for writing this story!
My heart is full and warm, and I'll definitely be putting this at the top of my list of books to recommend to the students in our library.
April 27, 2025
Ordered this one from eBay I was desperate for it! And it did not disappoint. It’s so well written Bea’s loneliness and aching longing for her uncle just leaps off the page. It was a beautiful book. Ordering a book from Australia to Canada was expensive but it was totally worth it. This is the third Aussie read in ordered and all three were rippers. Just wonderful.
February 9, 2026
A gentle adventure story with a mysterious twist. Themes of friendship, family and letting go. A particular strength of this book is the way there is no clear resolution about the disappearance of Bea’s uncle; rather the author has left space for the reader to come to their own conclusion.
April 13, 2025
Heartfelt, bittersweet and wholesome. Hopeful and grief filled – obviously I cried!! A super cute read for middle graders, sad but poignant.
Read by Jemma
Read by Jemma
May 6, 2025
Made me tear up.
March 3, 2026
Almost perfect, with the ending a bit rushed.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews