Hazel Bly and the Deep Blue Sea
AuthorAshley Herring Blake
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
GenreMiddle grade fiction
PublisherLittle, Brown and Company
Publication date
May 25, 2021
Pages368
ISBN978-0-316-53547-2

Hazel Bly and the Deep Blue Sea is a middle grade fiction written by Ashley Herring Blake and published on May 25, 2021, by Little, Brown. It tells the story of Hazel Bly and her family as they arrive at Rose Harbor, Maine, having moved towns several times prior. In this coastal town, Bly learns how to deal with the pain of having lost one of her mothers.

Major theme

The central theme of Hazel Bly and the Deep Blue Sea is grief, more specifically the loss of a parent at a young age.[1][2] Hazel Bly was traumatized by the death of her mother during a kayak accident, which she blames herself for, to the point she develops a fear of bodies of water.[3][4]

Reception

A starred review written by Publishers Weekly praised the characters written by Blake, and noted how emotinal the story can be, as it deals with "grief, memory, and familial relationships."[4] Another starred review, this time by the School Library Journal, said the author's writing and extensive character development "allow readers to empathize with Hazel."[5]

Shoshana Flax, writing for The Horn Book, commented on Blake's ability at balancing "many plot elements, often serious ones, without overburdening the narrative" which led to a novel that focuses on the development of its characters.[3] A review by The Booklist called Hazel Bly and the Deep Blue Sea "a moving story of grief and guilt," and noted the book is composed of both very sad as well as very uplifting moments. The reviewer concluded by saying the book "deals with loss in a way that feels accessible but never condescending."[2]

References

  1. ↑ Leary, Alaina (June 16, 2021). "Q&A With Ashley Herring Blake, Hazel Bly and the Deep Blue Sea". We Need Diverse Books. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  2. 1 2 Horan, Molly (April 15, 2021). "Hazel Bly and the Deep Blue Sea". The Booklist. 117 (16): 54–56.
  3. 1 2 Flax, Shoshana. "Review of Hazel bly and the Deep Blue Sea". The Horn Book. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  4. 1 2 "Hazel Bly and the Deep Blue Sea". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  5. ↑ Kenney, Sophie (June 1, 2021). "Hazel Bly and the Deep Blue Sea". School Library Journal. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
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