Emily Whitman (Books)

Emily Whitman Books

Emily Whitman weaves myth and magic into the fabric of everyday life in her novels for young readers. Her work, often drawing from folklore, is characterized by imaginative storytelling that brings fantastical elements into relatable narratives. Whitman approaches her writing with a deep commitment to research, whether delving into library archives or learning new skills, which infuses her stories with rich detail and authenticity.

The Turning

416 pages
15 hours of reading

4.0(2)Add rating

Winner of the Oregon Spirit Book Award Does he belong to the land or to the sea? Readers who loved Kelly Barnhill's The Girl Who Drank the Moon and Pam Muñoz Ryan's Echo will be transported to the place where the water and land meet in this exquisitely crafted coming-of-age tale about a selkie boy. Aran has never truly fit in with his selkie clan. He was born in his human form, without a pelt to transform him into a sleek, strong seal. Each day he waits, left behind while his selkie family explores the deep ocean. What if his pelt never comes? Does the Moon even see him? Is he putting his clan at risk? When his mother undertakes a journey to the far north to seek help, Aran is left in the care of a reclusive human woman on remote Spindle Island. Life on land is full of more wonders--and more dangers--than Aran could have ever imagined. Soon Aran will be forced to decide: will he fight for his place on land, or return to his home in the sea?