Across the Risen Sea

This book hooks the reader from the first page to the last. It is full of excitement, adventure and humour but has underlying themes that are thought provoking and that deserve discussion.

It takes place in the not too distant future when the seas have risen and have forced much of the population to flee either inland from the coastlines, or to live on islands in isolated groups away from technology which they perceive as being the cause of the damage to the planet.

The islanders are dedicated to live “gentle lives”, and as such survive by growing what they can, and recycling or salvaging the debris left behind in flooded cities.

Their lives change when the islands are visited by strangers from the mainland who seek to impose a new form of technology on the islanders.

The main character is a feisty 11-year-old girl, Neoma whose curiosity about the strangers lands her and her best friend Jag in endless trouble as she tries to put right the harm she inadvertently causes.

This is a very entertaining story but there is a reminder here that it is the courage, energy and innovation of the younger generation that will determine the outcome for our planet, and choosing to ignore possible solutions is not helpful.

Title: Across the Risen Sea

Author: Bren MacDibble

Price: $18.99

ISNB: 9781760526054

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Date: August 2020

Format: Paperback

Recommended: Highly Recommended

Ages: 10 years +

Reviewer: Anabel McPhee, Librarian, The Catlins Area School

First sentence: It’s one of them days when everything is off. A hot sweaty night in Rusty Bus means we kids is all grouchy-tired.

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