Drawing the Ocean
by Carolyn MacCullough

    DRAWING THE OCEAN by Carolyn MacCullough
    Category:  Contemporary
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 9+
    Release Date:  10/3/06
    Publisher:  Roaring Brook Press
    Reviewed by:  Marta Morrison
    Rating:  5 Stars

    I really enjoyed reading this wonderful book.  

    DRAWING THE OCEAN is the story of Sadie, a high school student, whose family moves from California to
    the East Coast.  Sadie is an artist who loves to draw the ocean, hence the title of the book.  It is almost a spiritual
    thing for her.  

    She is very nervous about starting a new high school.  You know, she is worried about being behind in her studies
    and having last month's hair.  She should be nervous, though, because she keeps seeing and conversing with a
    ghost.  

    It is the ghost of her twin brother who had been killed four years earlier in a car accident.  Sadie blames herself,
    and the subject of her brother is a forbidden one in her family.  She meets a strange young man while drawing on
    the beach and later finds out that he is the outcast at the high school with the name "Frying Ryan."  She also draws
    the eye of the hot football star, Travis.  

    Soon Sadie has a choice to make about who she wants to be.  She can recreate herself, but does she want to be
    cool or kind?  

    This is a short story with a lot of emotional punch.  I strongly recommend this book!