Johnny, the Sea, and Me

A timid ten-year-old boy meets Johnny, a gruff islander who will change his life, in Johnny, the Sea, and Me, a heartwarming middle-grade novel by Melba Escobar about finding yourself and your place in the worldfeaturing illustrations by award-winning artist Elizabeth Builes.

Translated from Spanish by Sara Lissa Paulson

Pedro has always dreamed of going to the sea. So when his mom takes him on a special trip to a small island in the Caribbean, hes so happy that he grows an extra inch! But the troubles at homebullying from classmates and an absent fatherfind a way to follow Pedro, even on vacation Overwhelmed, the boy takes to the beach and runs away, hoping to leave his worries far behind.

Thats when he meets Johnny, an islander descended from pirates. At first, Pedro is frightened by Johnnys imposing appearance and brusque manners. But Johnny, along with his chatty parrot Victoria, takes young Pedro under his wing and shares his island and his stories with him, thereby changing Pedros life. Because sometimes, like Pedro, you have to lose yourself to find yourself.