Marikit and the Ocean of Stars by Caris Avendaño CruzGratitude
Thank you to the Montgomery County Public Library for making Marikit and the Ocean of Stars readily available for public use.
Description
In Marikit and the Ocean of Stars by Caris Avendeño Cruz, Marikit’s birthday wish is to have a blue fairy dress—more beautiful than the wealthy girl’s yellow fairy dress—so beautiful no one would ever pick on her for her shabby clothes again.
And why shouldn’t she have such a beautiful dress? Her mother is the best seamstress, everyone agrees. When she asks her mother for the dress, she also points out that her recent birthdays have been sad affairs. Since the deaths of her father and brother while they were fishing, there have been many unhappy times for Marikit and her mother.
All of Marikit’s hoping and dreaming could not prepare her for the dress her mother makes—nor could it prepare her for the adventure ahead. Nothing could have prepared Marikit for that—not for the new friends, enemies, and lands she will see. And certainly not for the ways she’ll be tested.
And why shouldn’t she have such a beautiful dress? Her mother is the best seamstress, everyone agrees. When she asks her mother for the dress, she also points out that her recent birthdays have been sad affairs. Since the deaths of her father and brother while they were fishing, there have been many unhappy times for Marikit and her mother.
All of Marikit’s hoping and dreaming could not prepare her for the dress her mother makes—nor could it prepare her for the adventure ahead. Nothing could have prepared Marikit for that—not for the new friends, enemies, and lands she will see. And certainly not for the ways she’ll be tested.
Would I teach this book?
Marikit and the Ocean of Stars has adventures, fairies, and a wide range of imaginary creatures from Filipino folklore. There is excitement and danger and a wide cast of characters. The supporting cast outshines Marikit, who, while she is described as brave and does exhibit some bravery, does not have as much depth of personality as other characters.
The book is a bit below the reading level for middle school, so I would probably not choose it to teach, but it would be good for a classroom library, to include a variety of reading levels. If I taught elementary, I would consider it for a fourth grade class, where it would be more compatible. I could also see the possibility of including it in a literature class on contemporary folklore, as it does include Filipino mythological creatures in inventive ways.
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The book is a bit below the reading level for middle school, so I would probably not choose it to teach, but it would be good for a classroom library, to include a variety of reading levels. If I taught elementary, I would consider it for a fourth grade class, where it would be more compatible. I could also see the possibility of including it in a literature class on contemporary folklore, as it does include Filipino mythological creatures in inventive ways.
View all my reviews
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