Beware the Heartman - by Shakirah Bourne (Hardcover)

About the Book

Twelve-year-old Barbadian Josephine encounters a strange figure who resembles the fearsome Heartman who steals children's hearts, while also dealing with the odd behavior of her best friend.

Book Synopsis

A spooky, heartfelt mystery inspired by Caribbean mythology, featuring the most lovable characters in middle grade fiction!

For once, everything in twelve-year-old Josephine's life is going according to plan. She's finally proved that girls belong on the cricket team and earned a spot as a starting player! And she's confident that she and her best friend, Ahkai, will both be accepted to their dream secondary school. Nothing can stop Jo now -- not even the memory of the vengeful sea spirit she vanquished last year.

But then a series of disasters strike. Ahkai suddenly seems to have a new best friend -- the annoyingly perfect Lynne. Then Jo isn't accepted to the same school as Ahkai! Even worse, Jo keeps having eerie encounters with a mysterious figure lurking in the shadows -- a figure who bears an unsettling resemblance to the fearsome Heartman rumored to steal children's hearts...

Jo doesn't know where to turn. With Daddy away, the only person who'll believe her is Ahkai, but Jo is too proud to ask for help after being replaced. By the time she musters the courage to approach him, it's too late.

Ahkai has disappeared without a trace.

He's been taken by the Heartman.

None of the adults believe Jo. The Heartman is just a legend, after all. But Jo knows that the fearsome creature is real and that if she doesn't find his lair soon, Ahkai will be lost forever.

Review Quotes

Praise for Josephine Against the Sea:

* "A heart-wrenching adventure with big laughs and well-earned surprises." --Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

* "Filled with humor and vibrant, likable characters, the suspense of this fast-paced, laugh-out-loud fantasy will keep the pages turning." --Booklist, Starred Review

"Twining fantastical elements with a steady pace and a contemporary setting, Bourne nets a relatable story of processing grief, trust in one's family and community, and Black girl magic." --Publishers Weekly

"Jo is a funny, determined heroine with no end of schemes, and Bourne's masterful modernizing of jumbie lore is thrilling. The story is riveting from beginning to end." --Tracey Baptiste, New York Times bestselling author

"An entertaining read featuring many references to creatures from Caribbean mythology; sure to be a great addition to any library's middle grade collection." --School Library Journal

About the Author

Shakirah Bourne is a Bajan author and filmmaker born and based in Barbados. She once shot a movie scene in a cave with bats during an earthquake, but is too scared to watch horror movies. She enjoys exploring old graveyards, daydreaming, and eating mangoes. Learn more at shakirahbourne.com.