For the young person grappling with where they truly belong, this tale explores what makes a family and where you find your identity, even when everything feels upside down.
Parents might reach for this book when their teen feels like an outsider in their own family or is struggling to understand their identity. Salt follows Indi, a boy born without the magic his treasure-hunting family possesses, who lives on a boat in the Mediterranean. Convinced he's a selkie left behind, he searches for his 'real' family among the seals, grappling with feelings of loneliness and a desire to belong. This story beautifully uses a fantasy framework to explore deep themes of identity, what makes a family, and self-acceptance. It's a gentle, poignant read for young adults navigating complex feelings about where they fit in the world, especially within non-traditional or blended families.
The core conflict is an internal one about identity, alienation within a family, and the nature of belonging. This is approached metaphorically through the selkie myth. The book does not engage with religion. The resolution is hopeful and emotionally realistic, centering on the idea that family is a choice and self-acceptance is key. There's also a gentle, sweet M/M romance.
Ideal Reader
An introspective teen, 13-16, who feels different from their family or peers. This is perfect for a reader who might be adopted, part of a blended family, or simply feels misunderstood. It will appeal to those who prefer quiet, character-driven stories with a touch of magical realism over high-stakes fantasy plots.
Parent Prep
The book can be read cold. No specific scenes require parental preview. Parents should be prepared for potential conversations about the concepts of found family versus biological family, and the idea that love doesn't always automatically erase feelings of otherness. The main character's gay identity and budding romance are presented gently and without conflict. A parent hears their teen say, "I just don't feel like I belong here," or "You all don't understand me." The child seems withdrawn or isolated, struggling to connect with the family unit despite being loved.
Age Experience
A younger teen (12-14) will likely enjoy the magical setting: the selkie myth, living on a boat, and the treasure-hunting lifestyle. An older teen (15-18) will connect more deeply with the nuanced emotional core of the story: the existential search for identity, the complexities of family bonds, and the subtle romantic subplot.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many YA fantasies focused on action, Salt uses its magical premise as a lyrical metaphor for an internal, emotional journey. Its unique strength is its quiet, poignant exploration of what it means to choose your family and find your place, wrapped in the specific and compelling mythology of the selkie.
Read plot summary
Indi, a 17-year-old without magic, lives on a boat with his found family of mystics who hunt for magical artifacts. Feeling like he doesn't belong, he is convinced he is a selkie (a mythical seal-person) and spends his time searching for his biological kin in the sea. His worldview is challenged when he befriends a local boy, Oscar, forcing Indi to confront his own loneliness and reconsider what 'family' and 'belonging' truly mean.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Indi believes finding his selkie family will finally make him feel like he belongs. Do you think knowing your biological origins is the most important part of identity? Why or why not?
2
How does Indi's friendship with Oscar change the way he sees his human family and himself? What does Oscar provide that his family can't?
3
At the end of the story, Indi makes a choice about where he belongs. Do you think it's possible to belong in more than one place or with more than one kind of family at the same time?
4
The book is titled 'Salt.' What are the different ways salt (the ocean, tears, preservation) is important in the story, and what do you think it symbolizes?
