Chapter Book 5

Author	Kevin Henkes
Title	Olive’s Ocean
Illustrator	N/A
Readability Score	Grade level equivalent:  4.8 Lexile Measure: 650L DRA: 44 Guided Reading: V
Genre	Fiction
Subgenre	Realistic Fiction
Theme	This book emphasizes the importance of family and living life to the fullest.
Primary and Secondary Characters	Martha Boyle, Martha’s father, Martha’s mother, Lucy, Vince, Godbee, Jimmy Manning, Tate Manning, Olive Barstow, Olive’s mother
Award(s) date of publication	2003 Newbery Honor Book
Publishing Company	Greenwillow Books
ISBN Number	0060535431
Brief Summary	The book begins with Olive Barstow’s mother showing up on twelve year old Martha Boyle’s doorstep.  A few weeks earlier Olive had been hit by a car while riding her bicycle and died.  Olive’s mother brings Martha a page from her deceased daughter’s journal.  In the journal entry, Olive declares Martha the nicest person in her class and describes her hopes of becoming friends with Martha the upcoming school year.  Olive also mentions her desire to visit the Atlantic or Pacific Ocean.  The journal entry rattles Martha, especially since her family is getting ready to take a trip to the beach and visit her grandmother, Godbee.  Martha has a special bond with Godbee and the two make a special deal to share secrets with one another throughout Martha’s visit.  One of Martha’s biggest secrets is that she wants to become a writer like her father.  Martha’s trip is full of ups and downs, particularly due to her crush on Jimmy Manning and his brother Tate’s crush on her.  Unbeknownst to Martha, Jimmy has a few cruel tricks up his sleeve, leaving her completely crushed.  However, Tate works hard to right the wrongs of his older brother, before Martha departs for home.
Picture of book cover
Description of how you would use book with students	I would use this book in literature circles and book clubs.  The book is likely to evoke genuine conversation due to the death of a young character.