Shearwater, by Khiem Tran

[asakiyume]

Some years ago khiemtran documented his adventures learning to sail, and after that, his adventures restoring a Mirror dinghy and the trips he and his son took aboard it. It was fabulous--I really felt like I was learning to sail, reading those entries.

Later, he drew on those experiences to write a short novel for young people: Shearwater, which he's now published. In Shearwater ten-year-old Andy and thirteen-year-old Priya help Andy's Uncle Phil restore a Mirror, and Uncle Phil teaches them to sail, while telling them all kinds of stories--about the wood that Mirrors are made out of (“[it comes] from Gabon. They used to call it 'gaboon' ply. It would have come from a forest in Gabon all the way to Australia and then someone made it into a kit. It’s had an amazing journey. All Mirrors have.”), about Captain Cook's journey to Australia, about the Guringai people's boats, which carried fire in them (“The women would go out fishing in their nawi, with a little fire burning on a pile of rocks so they could cook their fish.”)

The pace is leisurely but always absorbing, full of gentle humor, and the insights are marvelous, as when Andy realizes that the strange behavior of wind comes from fact that it's reacting to the land:

"The wind is curving off the land!" he said.

"Andy, that is brilliant!" [Uncle Phil] said. "Some people take ages to figure that one out. In fact, it's curving off everything. Just think of water flowing past rocks in a stream and how it curves and bends. Well, the wind is just like that too, except you can't see it."
 
"Take a look out here across the river," Phil continued, sweeping his hand in a wide arc. "Just imagine for a moment that all the water here is actually rock and instead of air, there is water flowing over everything. Just think how it would bend off the land and around the islands. Where there'd be little eddies and whirlpools, fast patches and slow..."

Uncle Phil's stories are always fun, and when we meet Priya's dad, he's got some good ones too. Reading Shearwater, I really felt like a kid again myself, felt like I was learning these skills, having these adventures. It's transporting!

rachelmanija has a category of story she calls "Secret Garden" stories--stories that are quiet and intimate. She writes, "Those are books about a kid or kids (or occasionally a teen or adult) finding a private space for him or herself."

Shearwater has some of that: a space apart, and all the characters--including Uncle Phil--gaining a sense of accomplishment in what they're doing it. I highly recommend it!

Shearwater is available through Kobo and Amazon.

(Oh--it's come to my attention that Kobo link is for Australian Kobo--here is the American one.)

Comments

[minoanmiss]

this sounds utterly delightful

[asakiyume]

It really is! Relaxing and yet engaging, and all the characters likable.

[sovay]

In Shearwater ten-year-old Andy and thirteen-year-old Priya help Andy's Uncle Phil restore a Mirror, and Uncle Phil teaches them to sail, while telling them all kinds of stories

Sold.

(Or, sold in the sense that if it ever exists in print, I will buy a copy, but in the meantime, I approve and want a print copy!)

[asakiyume]

I'll pass along your words--as you know (only too well), getting something into physical print is an extra step, but maybe he'd be willing...

In the meantime, if you know anyone who might enjoy the book, please let them know about it!

[sovay]

In the meantime, if you know anyone who might enjoy the book, please let them know about it!

Absolutely!

[khiemtran]

Thank you, Francesca! I am really hoping for a print version eventually. I've heard that Amazon's print on demand is actually priced pretty well, but I haven't had time to look into it much. It would be really nice to have some hand-drawn illustrations for a paper version. My mother has been using the ebook version for some of her Learning Disability students, and they've already been asking for photos of the original Shearwater.

[asakiyume]

That's so wonderful about your mother using it with her students. I would really *love* to see it with some good illustrations--I was thinking how great they would be to have as I was reading. Please keep me posted about a print version!

[khiemtran]

Also really great to hear a review like this. I was very nervous when it first went out, wondering if people would hate it or be disappointed by it. Then, bit by bit, the feedback starting coming in and it's been really heartening.

[asakiyume]

It is truly a wonderful book. You have a fantastic way of making information accessible and *fun*--Uncle Phil is just such gentle, funny, wise teacher, and the kids feel just right. I really love how you weave stories in--the story in Hokkaido, for instance! I laughed.

The surfing part, too--it carried me back to when I was doing skateboarding. Just beautiful.

I pray more and more people find the book. I know self-promotion is no fun at all, but if you have friends who you know have read it and loved it, do see if you can get them to leave a review--it will help raise the book's profile.

[sartorias]

This looks terrific--thank you!

[asakiyume]

I think you would *love* this. I hope you read it--it's very short!

[sartorias]

I keep trying to buy it but Amazon keeps locking up. I'll try again later!

[sartorias]

It worked! When I am not at a museum I will grab a moment to read! (Chicago Art Institute right now)

[asakiyume]

Yay! I'm so glad!