Children of the Sea Vol. 2 by Daisuke Igarashi

Genre: Graphic Novel

Honors: None Found

Review: In the second volume of Children of the Sea, the reader learns more about Sora, Umi, and Jim's past.  When Jim was a young man he was fishing with a native tribe where he speared a large whale as a rite-of-passage.  A human-like creature appears from the ocean and watches the tribe to be sure they treat the whales' large body with respect.  Jim befriends the being and takes him fishing where he is
accidentley killed.  In remorse Jim swears to help future sea children and the story transports to the modern day where Jim is watching over Sora and Umi.  Science and fantasy mix as more is explained about the origins of the sea children and Ruka learns more about herself and her connection to the ocean.  Eventually Sora and Umi undergo a transformation and the reader is left wondering what other strange occurrences will come from the sea. 

Opinion: As I learned more about the story and the origin of Sora and Umi I became more intrigued and involved in this story.  The author has done a great job of developing Ruka form an immature schoolgirl to a young woman with a special gift and connection to the sea. 

Ideas: Display this book with books about sea creatures, typhoons, and books with geography of Japan.  This will give readers factual information to connect with the fiction story.