Sea Legs: A Graphic Novel (Sea Legs #1) - by Jules Bakes (Paperback)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

Janey's family is about to set sail for the adventure of a lifetime! The only problem? Janey must leave her school, her life, her best friend, the entire country behind for new adventures -- coral reefs, colorful markets, and new cultures. Life at sea is exhilarating, but there's a major downside: when you're raising anchor every few days with sights on a new harbor, it's almost impossible to make new friends.

Finally, Janey meets the cool and aloof Astrid -- a fellow boat kid who's equally starved for friendship. But Astrid can be a challenging friend to navigate, and beyond that, hurricane season has only just begun . . . .

At turns laugh-out-loud hilarious and heartbreakingly poignant, this stunning middle grade graphic memoir charts both the turbulence and joys of growing up.

Review Quotes

Praise for Sea Legs:

A Best Graphic Novel for Children, American Library Association

A Kirkus Best Middle Grade Book of 2025

"Visually stunning with a boatload of heart." - Gabriela Epstein, New York Times bestselling author

"A sparkling, unforgettable journey that deftly navigates the thrills and complexities of friendship." - Gale Galligan, New York Times bestselling author

* "Inspired by the author's childhood at sea, this grahic novel, by two lifelong friends, is a visually and emotionally vibrant must-read." - Booklist, starred review

* "Filled with lively, touching, suspenseful vignettes . . . Authentic and engaging." - Kirkus Reviews, starred review

* "This captivating story about stormy friendships and life at sea is a must-have." - School Library Journal, starred review

* "Smith gives each character a dazzling range of visible emotion through exaggerated features and body language in splashy art that burts with color." - Shelf Awareness, starred review

"Buoyant . . . Vibrant artwork by Smith bursts with tropical colors . . . Together, the creators skillfully recreate the unique experience of living at sea, infusing the story with humor and intense emotion that invites readers to partake in a shared adventure." - Publishers Weekly

"This heartfelt graphic novel explores the uncharted waters of growing up, friendship, and self-discovery . . . Inventive panels that showcase handwritten letters, maps, and annotated sketches furhter immerse the reader in Janey's world." - Horn Book

About the Author

Jules Bakes spent her childhood sailing around the Caribbean and South America, but these days she works at Yale University. She lives in Hamden, Connecticut with her husband, two weirdo little dogs, and the ghosts of many fish. This is her first novel.

Niki Smith is the author and artist of the Lambda Literary Award-nominated graphic novel The Deep & Dark Blue. Her book The Golden Hour was a Kirkus, SLJ, and NYPL Best Book of 2021. When she's not drawing comics, she's collecting embroidery hoops and zines and learning to draw boats. Niki now lives in Munich, Germany with her wife and two bilingual cats.