For a child grappling with sudden loss, this mystery explores themes of grief, family secrets, and the search for truth after a parent's unexpected death.
A parent might reach for this book when their tween or young teen is processing the death of a loved one, especially if their grief is manifesting as anger, suspicion, or a feeling that the adults in their life are not being truthful. This novel centers on fifteen-year-old Cyan, who returns to the island of Curaçao the summer after her father's drowning. Convinced it wasn't an accident and furious at her mother for moving on, Cyan launches her own investigation, uncovering painful family secrets. The book is a compelling mystery that serves as a vehicle for exploring the turbulent and often confusing emotions of grief. It provides a safe space for young readers to see their own complicated feelings reflected, validating anger and the search for answers as a part of the healing process.
Deals directly with intense grief, anger, and family secrets related to a parent's death and depression.
Moral AmbiguityMild
Characters keep difficult secrets for reasons they believe are protective, raising complex questions.
Sensitive Topics
The book deals directly and unflinchingly with the death of a parent. The approach is secular, focusing on the complex psychological journey of grief, particularly the anger stage. The resolution is realistic and ultimately hopeful. Cyan gets answers, but they are complicated, revealing the hidden struggles (depression) of her father. The ending acknowledges that healing is not linear but shows a path toward understanding and reconciliation.
Ideal Reader
An ideal reader is a mature tween or young teen (11-14) who is grappling with a profound loss and may be feeling angry, isolated, or distrustful of the adults around them. It is for a child who appreciates a character-driven mystery where the clues are as emotional as they are physical.
Parent Prep
The book can be read cold, but a parent should be prepared for conversations about mental health, specifically depression and potential suicide. The revelation about Cyan's father is a pivotal moment that may bring up questions. A parent could preview the climax (Chapters 20-22) to prepare for this conversation. A parent has recently lost a spouse and sees their child acting out, becoming withdrawn, or expressing anger and suspicion. The child might say things like, "You're trying to forget him," or, "You don't even care." This book is for the child who is struggling to accept the surviving parent's own grieving process or new relationships.
Age Experience
A younger reader (10-11) will likely focus on the mystery: Was it an accident? What is Cyan's mom hiding? An older reader (12-14) will connect more deeply with the emotional complexity: Cyan's internal conflict, the painful dynamics with her mother, and the moral ambiguity of keeping secrets to protect loved ones.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many grief narratives that focus primarily on sadness, this book's strength is its honest portrayal of anger as a valid stage of grief. The integration of a compelling mystery plot provides a forward-moving structure for this internal journey. The lush, vibrant Curaçao setting provides a powerful, sensory contrast to the protagonist's dark emotional state, making the story uniquely atmospheric.
Read plot summary
Fifteen-year-old Cyan is still reeling from her father's drowning death a year prior. When she and her painter mother return to their summer home in Curaçao, her mother brings along her new fiancé and his daughter, Kammi. Angry and feeling betrayed, Cyan doesn't believe her father's death was accidental. Armed with her camera, she begins a quiet investigation, searching for clues and pushing against her mother's attempts to move forward. Her search uncovers difficult family secrets about her father's mental health and the events leading up to his death, forcing her to re-evaluate her anger, her memories, and her family's future.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Cyan is very angry with her mother for seeming to move on so quickly. Do you think her anger is justified? How do her feelings about her mom's actions change by the end of the book?
2
The title is 'The Other Side of Blue'. Blue can mean sadness, but it is also the color of the sea and sky in Curaçao. What do you think the title means for Cyan's story?
3
Cyan uses her camera to investigate her father's death. How does looking at the world through a lens help her? Does it ever prevent her from seeing the whole picture?
4
Was it right for Cyan's mother to hide the truth about her father's depression? Discuss the reasons for and against keeping painful secrets in a family.
