The Specific Ocean

This is a story about a young girl who does not want to go on vacation with her parents to the Pacific Ocean. She thinks it will be boring and steal-your-breath-away cold. It is funny how she makes a moping schedule, complete with boring grass and a boring rock. Once she finally gives it a chance, she realizes that she really likes the ocean. She can swim, float on her back, and collect shells with her brother. The whole world moves ahead around her, but the ocean is a constant, comforting force.

By the last day of the vacation, the girl decides she loves the ocean and doesn’t want to leave. She wants the ocean to be hers, and to keep it in a bowl. I think the ocean should belong to everyone, and to all the sea creatures who live there.

My favorite picture in the book is the one where the girl is sitting on her bed in her room, picturing ocean creatures swimming below. This is a beautiful story that does a great job describing the beauty of the ocean.