I had one final very slow curbside shift at the library before we switch over to full open hours next week, so I decided to grab a graphic novel to keep me company throughout the morning. I'd heard some great things about this one and it was sitting there on the "new" shelf just looking out at me like "pick me, I'm the one." And here we are. 

 

Morgan has plans to get off the small island she lives on as soon as she is done with high school and head to a big city for college. Somewhere she can escape constant reminders of her parents divorce and her brother's bad moods and the person she is pretending to be with her friends. And, especially, somewhere she can tell her very biggest secret: that she likes girls. But one night, Morgan is saved from drowning by a mysterious girl named Keltie. Morgan and Keltie start spending (lots of) time together and, as their feelings for each other grow, the secrets they're both keeping bubble to the surface.  

 

What a delightful little story this was! It was a quick read, perfect for picking up and putting down in between calls. But goodness after about 25 pages I definitely didn't want to put it down. The art is absolutely gorgeous. It's sweet and fun and colorful in a perfect match to the story it's telling. And some of the full page spreads are just...*heart eyes.* 

 

As for the story itself, I have always loved the myths about selkies. I have mostly read about them in a Scotland/Ireland setting, but I feel like the Northwest Coast (an island off Washington/British Columbia) is similar enough in environment that it made sense for me. But yes, the idea of being able to shift shape, but only for a limited time and, in this particular version, with the option to stay when love is on the table, is just so fantastically appealing to me. And this light and youthful look at that folklore was whimsical in all the best ways. Plus, there were some great messages for young/coming-of-age readers about being confident and proud of who you are. There are benefits to compartmentalizing, and times when it is absolutely necessary, but it is also important not to use it as a shield too often, or you risk missing out on some of the best parts of life. To this point, sort of, the coming out parts of the story did a great job addressing some of the difficult conversations/ways it can happen, but also highlighting that way support from loved ones can change everything. Finally, I loved the environmental protection/conservation pieces of the story as well.  

 

Overall, this was such a genuine and hopeful story. Morgan and Keltie were adorable, their interactions with and feelings for each other were so endearing. And, like I said, this was super visually impactful as well. It you are looking for a charming queer and confidence-building tale, full of family, friend and first love vibes, this graphic novel is for you! 

 

“Who you love is a good thing […] It’s never a burden on other people.” 

 

“Sometimes you have to let your life get messy. That’s how you get to the good parts.”