Josephine Against the Sea - by Shakirah Bourne

About the Book

When she discovers her father's new girlfriend, Mariss, is actually a sea creature eager to take her place as his first love, Josephine must convince her friends to help her and use her cricket skills to save her dad from Mariss' clutches.

Book Synopsis

Meet Josephine, the most loveable mischief-maker in Barbados, in a magical, heartfelt adventure inspired by Caribbean mythology.

"A heart-wrenching adventure with big laughs and well-earned surprises." --Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

Eleven-year-old Josephine knows that no one is good enough for her daddy. That's why she makes a habit of scaring his new girlfriends away. She's desperate to make it onto her school's cricket team because she'll get to play her favorite sport AND use the cricket matches to distract Daddy from dating.

But when Coach Broomes announces that girls can't try out for the team, the frustrated Josephine cuts into a powerful silk cotton tree and accidentally summons a bigger problem into her life . . .

The next day, Daddy brings home a new catch, a beautiful woman named Mariss. And unlike the other girlfriends, this one doesn't scare easily. Josephine knows there's something fishy about Mariss but she never expected her to be a vengeful sea creature eager to take her place as her father's first love! Can Josephine convince her friends to help her and use her cricket skills to save Daddy from Mariss's clutches before it's too late?

Review Quotes

* "A heart-wrenching adventure with big laughs and well-earned surprises." -Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

* "Filled with humor and vibrant, likable characters, the suspense of this fast-paced, laugh-out-loud fantasy will keep the pages turning." -- Booklist, Starred Review

"Twining fantastical elements with a steady pace and a contemporary setting, Bourne nets a relatable story of processing grief, trust in one's family and community, and Black girl magic." -Publishers Weekly

"Jo is a funny, determined heroine with no end of schemes, and Bourne's masterful modernizing of jumbie lore is thrilling. The story is riveting from beginning to end." -- Tracey Baptiste, New York Times bestselling author

"An entertaining read featuring many references to creatures from Caribbean mythology; sure to be a great addition to any library's middle grade collection." -- School Library Journal

About the Author

Shakirah Bourne is a Bajan author and filmmaker born and based in Barbados. She once shot a movie scene in a cave with bats during an earthquake, but is too scared to watch horror movies. She enjoys exploring old graveyards, daydreaming, and eating mangoes. Learn more at shakirahbourne.com.