When Sally O'Malley Discovered the Sea - by Karen Cushman (Hardcover)

About the Book

In 1989 Oregon, Sally O'Malley is thrown out of her job and embarks on a journey to the sea, only to discover that true bravery is not about facing danger alone but about learning to rely on others.

Book Synopsis

From the Newbery-Award winning author of Catherine, Called Birdy and The Midwife's Apprentice comes the story of an orphan who decides to go west--with nothing but gumption as her guide.

Sally O'Malley is an orphan working at a mineral spring hotel in the woods of central Oregon--that is, until she's chucked out like chewed-on chicken bones, due entirely to an unfortunate incident with a pig and some church ladies.

And so Sally decides to head west to the sea. Glorious, she's heard. Fierce, she's heard. Why not see for herself? Before long Sally encounters a dangerous bobcat--and that's just the first day! Safe in the knowledge that she's fearless, she continues on her journey with no place to belong and no one to depend on. And that's just fine with her.

Then a lady called Major, an old donkey, a loyal dog, and an abominable brat show Sally that she's not quite as brave as she thinks.
It turns out that counting on someone else is the scariest thing of all.

Review Quotes

★ "[A] middle-grade page turner that will work equally well for reading aloud or reading alone....This lively adventure tale is a page-turner for historical fiction fans." --Booklist, starred review

★ "[T]his evocative historical novel....will have readers clambering to hitch a ride on this entertaining and gratifying adventure." --Publishers Weekly, starred review

"An engrossing historical journey, filled with shenanigans that support trust and growth." --Kirkus Reviews

"Sally O'Malley's adventure will grip and charm even the most reluctant of readers." --School Library Journal

"The choreography of peril and refuge is well managed as readers find themselves cheering Sally on to her happy ending." --The Horn Book

About the Author

Karen Cushman is the Newbery Award-winning author of The Midwife's Apprentice, Catherine, Called Birdy, and War and Millie McGonigle, among many other popular novels for young readers. She was inspired to write about a girl making her way west after many years of visiting Cannon Beach, a small town on the Oregon coast with a long history, with her family.