The Ocean Within
by V.M. Caldwell
In this story of a foster child and her new family, it's Elizabeth v.
“Iron Woman.” Who will win? Elizabeth is the newest member of the big
and boisterous Sheridan family. They try to make her feel at home, but
Elizabeth stays apart. She knows from previous experience in foster
homes that one day she'll be sent away.
As the story opens, all the
Sheridan kids are headed to the beach for a vacation at their
grandmother's house. Elizabeth secretly looks forward to fulfilling one
of her private dreams: to see the ocean. The Sheridans, on the other
hand, are just too much —too prone to hugging, too loud, too
enthusiastic. Only Petey, the youngest boy, is not overwhelming to be
with.
Pretty soon, Elizabeth has found a favorite perch
overlooking the water. But her attitude threatens to ruin everyone's
vacation. It's only a matter of time before a showdown between
Elizabeth and the grandma she calls “Iron Woman” ensues.
Contributors: Illustrations by Erica Magnus
V.M. Caldwell
Author's Bio:V. M. Caldwell taught science for fifteen years. The mother of two boys, both adopted, she wrote The Ocean Within
as an exercise in empathy while waiting for her second son to arrive
from India. She lives in upstate New York. This is her first book. Erica Magnus, the author of four picture books, also illustrated The Spider’s Web by Laura E. Williams (Milkweed Editions). She lives in her studio/home in Athens, Ohio, with her teenage daughter and her cat. Awards:Milkweed Prize for Children's Literature, 1999
2001-2002 Sunshine State Young Reader's Award Master List finalist
Keystone State Reading Association 2001-02 Young Adult Book Award nominee
Young Hoosier Book Award Nominee for the 2001-2002 school year
Quotes:“An insightful story filled with all of the mundane details that
make a novel rich and real. Elizabeth and the Sheridan children are on
a holiday visit with “Grandma.' While the others are noisy, Elizabeth
is silent. When the others trade stories of previous years, she has no
such memories. As the novel progresses, readers learn that she is a
foster child, that her parents died when she was five, and that she has
endured six years in the foster-care system. The girl withdraws from
each display of affection and refuses to join in family activities; she
hides whenever she can, refusing to talk unless forced. But she watches
carefully. Each event, each family crisis, is appraised by this bright
and thoughtful child. It's Petey, the four-year-old, who calls her
“Turtle' because she has a hard shell, who finally cracks that shell
and touches the real Elizabeth. It will take a mature reader to
understand Elizabeth's reticence in joining this happy family and to
follow the almost stream-of-consciousness narration. The author's
agenda shows occasionally, but the emotions and actions always ring
true.”——School Library Journal
“A finely
crafted first novel that looks at family and new opportunities from the
perspectives of a foster child. . . . Absorbed young readers will find
they are holding their breath at the end.”——Kirkus Reviews
“Caldwell's striking writing
style emphasizes the emotions of young Elizabeth. . . . A moving story of
change.” —Children's Bookwatch
“This
book of hope and empathy —a book crying to be read —tells the story of
eleven-year-old Elizabeth, who has been tossed from one foster home to
another. . . . Well written with characters who are fully developed and
believable, this book covers topics that will touch the hearts of many
young readers —foster care, adoption, anger, and love. This moving
work's message transcends the easy reading level and makes it good for
younger students or reluctant readers.” —VOYA
“Caldwell is
perceptive both about Elizabeth's guardedness and her genuine
discomfort with her boisterous new family. . . . A story that is
simultaneously high-minded and intensely emotional.” —Bulletin of the
Center for Children's Books
“V.M. Caldwell does an
excellent job of sharing the inner thoughts, struggles, and triumphs of
a child who has been orphaned and moved from home to home. . . . The Ocean
Within is a book that will give the reader an understanding of family
togetherness and acceptance of those who are different.”——Christian
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