West of the Sea
Viking Children/Penguin Random House
Tae Keller meets Tracey Baptiste in a tale of generational trauma, told with a cryptozoological twist.
Paleontology-loving Haven West and her older sister, Margie, have hardly talked with their mom since she retreated into a deep depression. Each morning Haven wonders if it’s going to be a “good” or “bad” day, and the only thing that seems to occupy her mom is collecting fossils for her bone garden.
But one night, after an ominous moonlight heart-to-heart, her mom disappears—right before Haven discovers she’s inherited a monstrous family trait. It turns out that she is the latest in a long line of cryptids, a past her mom has been hiding. Suddenly, the Texas terrain is full of ghostly dinosaur silhouettes and Haven is breaking out in scales at all the wrong moments. Even worse, she doesn’t know whom she can trust with this information.
Since the only person who could guide her through this has vanished, Haven sets off on the road trip of a lifetime with Margie and their new friend Rye in tow. Together, they’re determined to find her mom and finally get some answers, hopefully before Haven’s secret is revealed . . .
Acclaim for West of the Sea
★ Starred Review from Publishers Weekly
“Willing’s sparkling debut incorporates profound family dynamics, ghostly dinosaurs, a shape-shifting cryptid, and Celtic mythology, culminating in a suspenseful, innovative read.”
“Willing skillfully balances the narrative’s inherently fantastical underpinnings with a nuanced cast whose grounded challenges—including issues surrounding coming out and mental illness—add ample heart to this road-trip adventure.”
Kirkus
“Intriguing mythology with a prehistoric twist and an endearing family focus.”
School Library Journal
“This is a coming-of-age story for tweens who love mythology and fossils, that shows how growing up is always going to be awkward—but no one is alone in that transition. Willing gives clues to Haven’s quest not only to find her mom, but to discover how she fits in her family.”
The Horn Book Magazine
“The tone is slightly whimsical, even as the book delves into serious topics, an effective blend that keeps the plot moving and doesn’t let the drama become overwhelming. The characters are likable and authentic, and the resolution is satisfying.”
Booklist
“Part road trip adventure, part family reckoning, Willing’s debut ambitiously approaches loss, mental illness, identity, neurodivergence, and adolescence and executes them with compassion and depth.”
Southern Review of Books
“However, the characters in West of the Sea remind readers that transformative power often lies in an individual’s bravery to step forward, be themselves, and make a positive impact on their future and the lives of others. In characters like Haven, readers discover a new, refreshing superheroine needed by readers of all ages and backgrounds.” —Nicole Yurcaba
Ya and Kids Book Central
“West of the Sea takes an unflinching look at children who must grow up too fast and be strong for a parent who suffers from severe depression.” —Connie Reid
“Stephanie Willing’s West of the Sea is a coming-of-age frolic full of dinosaurs, cryptids, and family secrets. I found so much of myself as a queer young person in Haven’s bright and curious voice. Poetic and compelling, each page is a new revelation of the adventure. This story is a gift to all the kids who’ve ever felt strange or “monstrous” and alone. West of the Sea calls us to embrace and welcome the wonderfully weird parts of ourselves.”—Robin Gow, author of Dear Mothman and A Million Quiet Revolutions
“There’s a new cryptid in town! This wildly imaginative exploration of a troubled, loving family with a mysterious ancestry will have you rooting for anyone who has ever had to hide their true selves.” – Tracey Baptiste, best-selling author of The Jumbies and Moko Magic: Carnival Chaos
“This book has a heart as big as the ocean. I chuckled. I cried. I ached in the best of ways. In her debut, Willing spins a gorgeous tale of the storms we weather in our families and ourselves. She is throwing you a rope—a rope you won’t regret catching.” –Bree Barton, author of Zia Erases the World
“An action-packed, heart-squeezing journey featuring charming characters and a sly sense of humor. Given all the fossils it digs up, WEST OF THE SEA is a fittingly timeless story about change, about growth, and about the search for self. Not to mention my favorite peacock in all of literary history.” –Nat Cassidy, author of Nestlings and Mary: An Awakening of Terror