Skin of the Sea — Content Guide for Parents
Themes present
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Content themes
Factual summary of themes present in this book. No opinion — just the facts.
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Religious themes
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
“Riveting.” —NPR
“Evocative.” —Entertainment Weekly
“Remarkable.” —Buzzfeed
A way to survive.
A way to serve.
A way to save.
Simi prayed to the gods, once. Now she serves them as Mami Wata—a mermaid—collecting the souls of those who die at sea and blessing their journeys back home.
But when a living boy is thrown overboard, Simi goes against an ancient decree and does the unthinkable—she saves his life. And punishment awaits those who dare to defy the gods.
To protect the other Mami Wata, Simi must journey to the Supreme Creator to make amends. But all is not as it seems. There's the boy she rescued, who knows more than he should. And something is shadowing Simi, something that would rather see her fail . . .
Danger lurks at every turn, and as Simi draws closer, she must brave vengeful gods, treacherous lands, and legendary creatures. Because if she fails, she risks not only the fate of all Mami Wata, but also the world as she knows it.
Frequently asked questions
Is Skin of the Sea appropriate for a 7-year-old?
The book contains themes of violence, including blood, confinement, death, and physical abuse. It addresses serious topics such as slavery and torture, which are integral to the plot. The book includes elements that may be considered scary, such as violence and dark themes related to trauma and historical suffering. However, the exact age-appropriateness is not specified.
Does Skin of the Sea have violence?
The book contains themes of violence, including blood, confinement, death, and physical abuse. It addresses serious topics such as slavery and torture, which are integral to the plot.
Does Skin of the Sea have scary content?
The book includes elements that may be considered scary, such as violence and dark themes related to trauma and historical suffering. However, the exact age-appropriateness is not specified.
Does Skin of the Sea have religious themes?
The book incorporates West African religious traditions, including references to gods and spiritual practices. The narrative features a character who prays to the gods, indicating a connection to religious beliefs.
Does Skin of the Sea have racial/cultural content?
The narrative addresses the impact of the slave trade and incorporates themes of racial and class-based violence. It emphasizes the experiences of West Africans and critiques the focus on their suffering by colonizers.
Does Skin of the Sea have profanity?
No profanity is indicated in the search results for 'Skin of the Sea'. The focus is on the narrative and themes without mention of strong language.
Does Skin of the Sea have climate change?
No climate themes or discussions about environmental issues are present in the search results for 'Skin of the Sea'. The narrative does not address climate activism or related topics.
Does Skin of the Sea have sexual identity?
No sexual content is mentioned in the search results for 'Skin of the Sea'. The focus remains on the adventure and mythological elements rather than sexual themes.
Does Skin of the Sea have gender roles?
No specific gender roles or themes related to gender expectations are mentioned in the search results for 'Skin of the Sea'. The focus is on the protagonist's journey rather than gender dynamics.
Does Skin of the Sea have lgbtq+ themes?
No LGBTQ+ themes or characters are mentioned in the search results for 'Skin of the Sea'. The focus is primarily on mermaids and West African mythology.
