ACROSS THE WIDEST SEA

An unlikely trio help each other at sea in this graphic novel by Belgian author/illustrator Cremers that’s translated from French.

During a storm, light-skinned, red-haired Leonie’s parents inexplicably send her into open water in a rowboat, ignoring her desperate pleas. More dangerous than the crashing waves are the people in boats of varying sizes who seem determined to damage, even destroy, her craft. Leonie was born with a partial right arm, and her father made her a prosthetic limb. After passing out, she awakens to bright morning calm and rescues Balthazar, a yellow-haired, dark-skinned boy who’s nonspeaking, from his sinking kayak. Leonie suggests Balthazar use her harmonica as a communication tool—“a high note for ‘yes’ and a low note for ‘no’!” They happen upon wizened, deeply tanned Agatha, a veteran of the sea, on a paddleboard, who insists that finding the solid ground Leonie’s parents told her to seek is a just a matter of “going forward, all the time.” After they barely survive vicious raiders and swarming sharks, Leonie’s injuries force Agatha to seek assistance from someone from her past, but this decision exposes the kids to debauchery and yet more danger. Some outdated language, often used in derogatory contexts, goes uncontextualized, and Balthazar is relegated to a relatively passive role. Coming-of-age symbolism aside, readers will enjoy the meticulous, gorgeously colored line-drawn panels that convey emotion and dramatic action.

A literal and metaphorical journey of discovering lifesaving friendship while seeking elusive safety.