A Crack in the Sea
Written by H M Bouwman
Illustrated by Yuko Shimizu
Publication date: September 2021
Ages: 10+
Format: Paperback / 214 x 136 mm / 368 pages
ISBN: 978-1-912745-06-7
Rights available: UK and Commonwealth ex-Canada
UK retail price: £8.99
A unique middle-grade fantasy adventure based on real-life events, with a captivating narrative that touches both on magical and ‘real’ worlds.
Three families, two worlds and one magical portal….
No-one comes to the second world on purpose. The portal between worlds only opens when least expected. But the Raft King is determined to change that. He needs Pip, a boy with an amazing gift. Pip’s is just the first of three tales, linking the twins Venus and Swimmer, captured from a slave ship in the first world, and Thanh and his sister Sang, from a later time, escaping post-war Vietnam. What connects these three sets of siblings is the adventure of a lifetime, some helpful sea monsters and a very special crack in the sea.
At the heart of this story is the historical event of 1781 when 133 slaves, women, children and men, were thrown overboard from the Liverpool slave ship, Zong. The event is considered a turning point in anti-slavery history, though it was more than 25 years before slavery was ended in England.
This is the first UK release of a highly respected American author. Vivid illustrations by Yuko Shimizu add to the drama of the story.
Reviews
“A complex, compelling and thoughtful novel ... highlights themes of family, leadership and telling of history ... an original and engrossing book.”
”A provocative, immersive read.”
“Bouwman crafts a moving narrative about family, magic, morality, the power of storytelling and the cyclical nature of history.”
Resources & extras
Discover more about H M Bouwman and her inspiration for A Crack in the Sea in several interviews and articles on H M’s website.
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