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“The love of a selkie is something special.” For 15 year-old Morgan, the protagonist of Molly Knox Ostertag’s new graphic novel, The Girl from the Sea, that’s sort of an understatement.

When Morgan meets Keltie, a selkie, she’s instantly struck by attraction, but the circumstances of their introduction are such that Morgan doesn’t realize Keltie is even real. They kiss, and it’s dreamy and lovely and secret, which is what Morgan needs. Then she learns that Keltie is real, and the pair begin a secret summer romance that changes everything.

The Girl from the Sea features Ostertag’s iconic illustration style and her whip-smart, fast-paced writing, as well as truly gorgeous colors by Maarta Laiho. The book uses mostly traditional layouts, but also employs integrated group texts (with occasional overlays for private conversations) and full-page showstoppers that rely solely on body language and facial expression to convey meaning. Ostertag writes great dialogue, but some of the most striking moments in The Girl from the Sea don’t involve text at all. These include scenes where Keltie talks to her seal family, whose words aren’t translated for the reader, which adds to the sense of magic.

Ostertag seamlessly incorporates selkie lore into the character and costume designs here, and as Keltie reveals her various forms and selkie “rules” are established, the world-building becomes fuller, richer, and more extensive. The Girl from the Sea is a fantasy narrative, but it feels very grounded, and Laiho’s colors are so bold and saturated that the characters feel like they’re breathing on the page, walking and talking with readers as we turn each page.

Morgan and Keltie have a lot to navigate, as individuals and as a couple, and the stakes are high for each of them. This is both a coming-of-age and “coming out” tale, as Morgan strives to figure out who she is, what she wants, and how she can get it without getting hurt in the process. Some of the subject matter is difficult: Morgan’s parents are divorced, and — at the risk of revealing spoilers — she’s forcibly outed. (I mention that here because readers may feel triggered by this content, and deserve to know going in.)

Meanwhile, Keltie has to find a way to save her family from forced relocation as a result of what is basically gentrification. Things aren’t easy, and finding each other doesn’t necessarily fix that issue — but when Morgan and Keltie get together, they’re able to extend empathy toward each other and learn more about the world at large, which impacts their decisions, relationships, and plans.

Certainly no one expects to meet and fall in love with a selkie, but it’s easy to see why Morgan can’t help it in The Girl from the Sea. This book perfectly captures the feeling of a summer romance: It’s intense, fast-paced, and heady, salt-soaked and sun-bathed and warm. It's also complex and serious and layered, and Morgan’s friendships and family relationships are as important as her blossoming romance with Keltie. Keltie, too, gets moments with her family, which prevents the characters from feeling too isolated, and adds a real lushness to the overall story.

Scholastic suggests The Girl from the Sea for ages 12-18, and it feels like an older middle-grade book that verges on young adult. It will likely appeal to preteens, teens, and adults, and will surely hit multiple “Best of 2021” lists come December.

The Girl from the Sea by Molly Knox Ostertag is available now, wherever books are sold. A copy of the book was provided by the publisher for review.

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