Growing up, I loved the moving “Cool Runnings,” loosely based on the Jamaican bobsled team during the 1988 Winter Olympics. Now when I watch the movie, I can’t help reflecting on a line that one of the bobsledders said: “People are always afraid of what’s different.” This quote resonated with me while I was reading “The House in the Cerulean Sea” by T.J. Klune. If you’re looking for a cozy, feel-good read that covers acceptance of others, check out my review of “The House in the Cerulean Sea.”

PLOT

Linus Baker is a caseworker for the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth. He spends his days overseeing the well-being of children with magical abilities in government-sanctioned orphanages. He’s given an odd, secretive assignment: evaluate the mysterious Marsyas Island Orphanage, where six dangerous children reside: a gnome, a sprite, a wyvern, an unidentifiable green blob, a were-Pomeranian, and the Antichrist. Their caretaker, Arthur Parnassus, will do anything to keep his wards safe. Arthur and Linus get to know each other better and start to develop feelings for one another. Long-held secrets are exposed, and Linus needs to make a choice: destroy a home or watch the world burn.

PROMPTS

For my 2021 Reading Challenges, I used “The House in the Cerulean Sea” for the following prompts and challenges:

• The 52 Book Club Reading Challenge: featuring adoption
• PopSugar 2021 Reading Challenge: a book from your TBR list chosen at random
• Pretty Mess Reading Challenge: recommended by family
• Oshkosh Public Library Winter Reading Challenge

THOUGHTS

This book reminds me of the X-Men. For anyone that hasn’t heard of the X-Men, it’s a Marvel comic series about humans that have abilities that are unique to them. The X-Men use their powers to be heroes and fight others like them or that don’t like the X-Men because they’re different. This book is a good introduction to prejudice and can find comparisons to today’s current events. Each of the children now holds a special place in my heart. Some of the characters realize they need to get rid of these prejudices, and they remind us that a little kindness can truly go a long way. If you’re looking for a feel-good read that makes you think about acceptance of those that are different from us, I recommend The House in the Cerulean Sea.