In "Chasing at the Surface" by Sharon Mentyka, the story follows the journey of a young girl named Lissa, who finds solace in her obsession with the ocean after a tragic event shakes her world. As she grapples with grief and the changing dynamics in her family, Lissa becomes determined to connect with the underwater realm that captivates her. Through her explorations, she confronts her emotions, learns about resilience, and discovers the healing power of nature. The novel beautifully intertwines personal loss with the majesty of the sea, highlighting the importance of facing one's fears and finding hope amidst despair. [Generated by language model - please report any problems].

This book has been graded for interest at 8-12 years.

There are 228 pages in this book. This book was published in 2016 by Westwinds Press .

SHARON MENTYKA is a writer, designer, and teacher whose stories grow from small kernels of truth and explore common themes: fairness, transitions, and the complicated path to finding your own voice. Her middle-grade novel Chasing at the Surface was named the 2016 children's winner of the National Outdoor Book Award. After graduating from ArtCenter College of Design in Los Angeles, VIVIEN MILDENBEGER packed up her pencils and moved to a lovely farm just outside of Nashville, Tennessee. There she works on her illustrations, pottery, and other general magic-making. She loves illustrating for children most of all. Vivien is also an avid bread baker and shares her farm adventures with her fiance, two cats, and dog, Peter. Her work has been featured by publications such as New American Paintings and American Illustration. Publishing clients include Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, QuartoKids, Little Bee, Penguin and Macmillan/Henry Holt.