Gracie Under the Waves by Linda Sue Park
Published by Allida/HarperCollins on September 17, 2024
ISBN: 006334629X
Pages: 162
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads

Gracie loves the water and she particularly enjoys snorkeling. She would love to go to the Maldives to snorkel, but the cost is too high. She is thrilled, however, when she suggest Roatan, Honduras and her parents agree. The action of the book quickly moves to the trip. Gracie has a younger brother Ben, who is person with autism and a constant source of frustration to Gracie as he wants to do everything she does and be where she is. Once in Honduras, Gracie meets some locals and gets to snorkel. On her first excursion, she cuts her leg and when it becomes infected, she is sidelined from going in the water. This is a great disappointment, but Gracie also notices that the reef is in danger due to boats and pollution, so she turns her attention to raising awareness about the health of the reef. Embedded in the story are tips about using reef-safe sunscreen and ways kids can raise awareness and funds to help fight the deterioration of underwater landscapes. Hand to a reader who likes books about social issues and who enjoy a story about getting out of your usual life and experiencing something new.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Elementary School