Finding Your Place in the Waves: A Review of Girl Out of Water by Laura Silverman
As summer rolled around, with the warm sun and the scent of ocean air lingering in my thoughts, I found myself drawn to Girl Out of Water by Laura Silverman. The promise of a heartfelt coming-of-age story centered on the complexities of family, love, and self-discovery was too enticing to resist. If you’re in the mood for a story that captures the essence of longing and finding one’s footing in the world, this book is an absolute gem.
At the heart of the narrative is Anise, a spirited surfer who is eagerly anticipating a sun-soaked summer in Santa Cruz. However, her plans are disrupted when her aunt suffers a serious car accident, forcing Anise to leave behind her beloved California for the landlocked expanses of Nebraska. Right from the get-go, Silverman excels at weaving a story that is both vibrant and introspective. The contrast between Anise’s sun-kissed home and the unfamiliarity of her mother’s childhood house in Nebraska sets up a poignant landscape for exploring themes of belonging and identity.
What struck me most about Anise’s character was her relatable struggle with abandonment and family dynamics. Raised by a father who offers unwavering support, her feelings of displacement activate when she’s confronted with reminders of her mother’s absence. This exploration of maternal relationships resonates deeply, and I found myself reflecting on my own familial ties and the impact they have on our self-perceptions.
Upon arriving in Nebraska, Anise’s world widens as she navigates caring for her rambunctious cousins while grappling with her own feelings of homesickness. Silverman’s writing style — both lyrical and gritty — pulls you through Anise’s emotional roller coaster, and before I knew it, I was fully invested in her journey. The pacing felt just right; it miraculously captured the lazy, elongated days of summer while also propelling the story forward with Anise’s encounters.
One of the standout elements was the budding romance between Anise and Lincoln, a one-armed skater. Their banter is sweet and genuine, showcasing an easy camaraderie that evolves naturally. Lincoln’s character reaffirms the story’s essence: discovering who you are often means stepping outside your comfort zone. With his charisma and charm, Lincoln encourages Anise to trade her surfboard for a skateboard, which becomes a metaphor for embracing unexpected challenges and experiences.
The writing offered humorous insights, relatable dialogues, and a plethora of memorable moments that had me laughing one minute and pondering life’s complexities the next. A quote that particularly resonated was when Anise reflects on the notion of not just accepting who you are but choosing who you want to be. It’s a reminder that we shape our identities through choices and experiences rather than through the circumstances of our upbringing.
Girl Out of Water is more than just a summer read; it’s a journey of self-acceptance and growth that many teens and adults can relate to. Readers who enjoy Sarah Dessen or Jenny Han will undoubtedly feel right at home here. The narrative has the power to evoke nostalgia, spark smiles, and stir profound reflections on family ties and the journey to finding one’s self.
So if you’re searching for something light yet meaningful to tuck into your beach bag this season, look no further than Laura Silverman’s beautiful exploration of resilience and love in Girl Out of Water. The pages will fly by, and you’ll find yourself rooting for Anise long after the last chapter. Happy reading!
You can find Girl out of Water: A Young Adult Summer Coming of Age Novel here >>