Josephine Against the Sea

Shakirah Bourne's 'Josephine Against the Sea' is a vibrant, magical adventure steeped in Caribbean mythology. It follows Josephine, an eleven-year-old Barbadian girl fiercely protective of her single father, who takes extreme measures to scare away his new girlfriends. Her attempts escalate when she accidentally summons a vengeful sea creature, Mariss, who sets her sights on replacing Josephine in her father's affections. This chapter book explores themes of family love, jealousy, bravery, and self-discovery as Josephine, with the help of her friends, must outsmart the mythical foe. It's a fast-paced, engaging read perfect for early to late elementary readers, offering cultural richness and a relatable emotional core.

Meet Josephine, the most loveable mischief-maker in Barbados, in a magical, heartfelt adventure inspired by Caribbean mythology. Eleven-year-old Josephine knows that no one is good enough for her daddy. That's why she makes a habit of scaring his new girlfriends away. She's desperate to make it onto her school's cricket team because she'll get to play her favorite sport AND use the cricket matches to distract Daddy from dating. But when Coach Broomes announces that girls can't try out for the team, the frustrated Josephine cuts into a powerful silk cotton tree and accidentally summons a bigger problem into her life . . . The next day, Daddy brings home a new catch, a beautiful woman named Mariss. And unlike the other girlfriends, this one doesn't scare easily. Josephine knows there's something fishy about Mariss but she never expected her to be a vengeful sea creature eager to take her place as her father's first love! Can Josephine convince her friends to help her and use her cricket skills to save Daddy from Mariss's clutches before it's too late?