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The Highest Tide
One moonlit night, thirteen-year-old Miles O'Malley sneaks out of his house and goes exploring on the tidal flats of Puget Sound. When he discovers a rare giant squid, he instantly becomes a local phenomenon shadowed by people curious as to whether this speed-reading, Rachel Carson obsessed teenager is just an observant boy or an unlikely prophet. But Miles is really just a kid on the verge of growing up, infatuated with the girl next door, worried that his bickering parents will divorce, and fearful that everything, even the bay he loves, is shifting away from him. As the sea continues to offer up discoveries from its mysterious depths, Miles struggles to deal with the difficulties that attend the equally mysterious process of growing up.
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
241 people are currently reading
5,025 people want to read
About the author
Jim Lynch
25听books230听followersJim Lynch is the author of the novels The Highest Tide, Border Songs and Truth Like the Sun, all of which were performed on stage and won prizes, including an Indies Choice Honor Book Award, a Pacific Northwest Booksellers Award and a Dashiell Hammett Prize finalist. His next novel, Before the Wind, will be released in April 2016. As a newspaper reporter, Lynch has won national awards, including the Livingston Young Journalist Award. He lives in Olympia, Washington, with his wife and daughter.
Lynch's book tour with his next novel, "Before the Wind," will begin in mid-April 2016 and will feature visits to east and west coast bookstores and venues. Dates and locations will be available soon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,117 reviews
May 24, 2012
Aw, this book touched me in my special place. No, not that special place you filthy minded bunch. I am referring to that happy childhood place that was preserved within my heart before it became glacial with the hoare frost of the general cynicism that comes from working with idiots and generally being alive in the UK in the 21st century.
Life is a beach for wee Miles O'Malley. Although the wee moniker is a minor sticking point because he's nearly fourteen now and yet cruel fate, and genetics have left him trailing behind in the height stakes. Oh yeah and his Mum and Dad might be getting a divorce, and his best friend is a really old lady called Florence who, if we are being honest from the outset, is really really unlikely to survive to the end of the book.
So this is a big boo hoo fest then?
Well, not really, although if you are prone to a bit of a sniffle then maybe keep a box of tissues handy. But it is a beach based bildungsroman charting the literal and metaphorical growth of Miles O'Malley as well as the changes which one short summer wreaks on the physical and moral geography of his home town. The main focus of the book is Miles love of all things environmental, especially his passion for the slipping, sliding and swimming occupants of Skookumchuck Bay. The summer kicks off with him finding a giant squid washed up in the bay and this catapults him to the status of local celebrity. The papers and TV hail him as some kind of mini David Attenborough and the local cult think he might be the messiah (although maybe he is just a very naughty boy...).
Despite my better judgement and the fact that I at first spent a lot of time thinking, this is YA, it's got to be YA - but it got listed on the Richard and Judy book club and they don't read YA do they? - I actually really liked this. For those of you who are wondering at this stage who in the name of Christ are Richard and Judy then here they are . I've not included any pics because I'm not clever like all the other people who put pictures in their reviews and also I don't think it is fair to inflict images of Richard on unsuspecting folks. To give you the capsule version they are a gaff prone married couple who used to present morning television here in the UK. Kind of like the Queen and Prince Philip except Judy is the older of the two (although not older than Prince Philip) and Richard is famed for the same kind of social and political cringers as Phil, which have always left the public wondering why there is not some kind of ASBO just for posh people and people who are inappropriate on the telly.
Anyway, they said this book was good on their TV book club and they were right. Tarted up with cute little line drawings of sea creatures, the pithy observations of thirteen year old Miles and his hormonal chums as they attempt to navigate the pitfalls of adolescence without first exploding like some kind of giant excess sperm-bomb. Throw in some drugs, some death and a natural disaster and you've got a surprise winner on your hands. If you're looking for your first summer read then I recommend this one!
Life is a beach for wee Miles O'Malley. Although the wee moniker is a minor sticking point because he's nearly fourteen now and yet cruel fate, and genetics have left him trailing behind in the height stakes. Oh yeah and his Mum and Dad might be getting a divorce, and his best friend is a really old lady called Florence who, if we are being honest from the outset, is really really unlikely to survive to the end of the book.
So this is a big boo hoo fest then?
Well, not really, although if you are prone to a bit of a sniffle then maybe keep a box of tissues handy. But it is a beach based bildungsroman charting the literal and metaphorical growth of Miles O'Malley as well as the changes which one short summer wreaks on the physical and moral geography of his home town. The main focus of the book is Miles love of all things environmental, especially his passion for the slipping, sliding and swimming occupants of Skookumchuck Bay. The summer kicks off with him finding a giant squid washed up in the bay and this catapults him to the status of local celebrity. The papers and TV hail him as some kind of mini David Attenborough and the local cult think he might be the messiah (although maybe he is just a very naughty boy...).
Despite my better judgement and the fact that I at first spent a lot of time thinking, this is YA, it's got to be YA - but it got listed on the Richard and Judy book club and they don't read YA do they? - I actually really liked this. For those of you who are wondering at this stage who in the name of Christ are Richard and Judy then here they are . I've not included any pics because I'm not clever like all the other people who put pictures in their reviews and also I don't think it is fair to inflict images of Richard on unsuspecting folks. To give you the capsule version they are a gaff prone married couple who used to present morning television here in the UK. Kind of like the Queen and Prince Philip except Judy is the older of the two (although not older than Prince Philip) and Richard is famed for the same kind of social and political cringers as Phil, which have always left the public wondering why there is not some kind of ASBO just for posh people and people who are inappropriate on the telly.
Anyway, they said this book was good on their TV book club and they were right. Tarted up with cute little line drawings of sea creatures, the pithy observations of thirteen year old Miles and his hormonal chums as they attempt to navigate the pitfalls of adolescence without first exploding like some kind of giant excess sperm-bomb. Throw in some drugs, some death and a natural disaster and you've got a surprise winner on your hands. If you're looking for your first summer read then I recommend this one!
October 17, 2020
This unusual, satisfying, and often very funny novel focuses on Miles O鈥橫alley, a precocious, extremely short, thirteen-year-old boy, who is also an avid reader, budding marine biologist, insomniac, nighttime adventurer, and ocean-specimen collector. The summer before Miles turns fourteen, he makes a number of fascinating discoveries on the mudflats near his home on Skookumchuck Bay in Puget Sound, Washington鈥攁mong them: a giant squid, a ragfish, and invasive species of crab and sea kelp. Miles鈥檚 finds and his encyclopedic knowledge of ocean life attract the attention of the local, then the national media, and finally of a West-Coast mystical cult, who hold him up as a wise child and prophet. In no time, any number of people are flocking to the shore in search of miracles, rubbing mud on the places that ail them. Lynch not only regales the reader with fascinating information about ocean fauna, but he also entertains with stories of Miles鈥檚 friendships with his once-babysitter, Angie Stegner, a bipolar musician and daughter of the local judge; Florence Dalessandro, an elderly psychic woman with a neurodegenerative disease; and his specimen-collecting companion, the foul-mouthed, testosterone-addled, air guitarist, Kenny Phelps.
I really enjoyed this book. It was the deserving winner of Pacific Northwest Bookseller Award in 2005.
I really enjoyed this book. It was the deserving winner of Pacific Northwest Bookseller Award in 2005.
February 12, 2009
I was very excited to read this debut novel after seeing promising reviews in several trade magazines. My excitement nearly doubled after I got my hands on the book and saw an endorsement written by Katherine Dunn, whose novel, Geek Love, is one of my favorite books.
The Highest Tide describes the summer of a fourteen year old boy, Miles O鈥橫alley, who happens upon several marine life phenomena on the tidal flats of Puget Sound. After Miles precociously comments to a reporter that his amazing discoveries might be the 鈥淓arth鈥檚 way of telling us something,鈥� he is elevated to prophet-like status by the media. The media frenzy is exacerbated when Miles, with the help of an ailing, geriatric psychic, accurately predicts that the Sound will experience its highest tide in over fifty years.
I really enjoyed this book. It was what I would consider a nice, light read. Lynch has a sharp wit, a sound writing style, and a knack for brilliant similes. The narrative is very unique, but sometimes dances close to the brink of cliche.
The biggest problem I had with the book is that the narrative voice is somewhat ill-defined. Miles tells his story as hindsight confessional, being recalled for the reader rather than experienced by the reader. Why did Lynch decide to tell his story this way? Would my experience as a reader be different if this was written in present tense as opposed to past? I think it would.
The Highest Tide is a book about science and faith, about the practical versus the mystical. Miles often recalls the writing of Rachel Carson who celebrates these dualities as complimentary rather than contradictory. By setting this novel in the past and providing a tidy ending where all phenomena is explained and justified, I think Lynch grounds his story too strongly in the scientific at the expense of the mystical. At the end of the novel Miles story is still fantastic, but is ceases to be fantastical.
The Highest Tide describes the summer of a fourteen year old boy, Miles O鈥橫alley, who happens upon several marine life phenomena on the tidal flats of Puget Sound. After Miles precociously comments to a reporter that his amazing discoveries might be the 鈥淓arth鈥檚 way of telling us something,鈥� he is elevated to prophet-like status by the media. The media frenzy is exacerbated when Miles, with the help of an ailing, geriatric psychic, accurately predicts that the Sound will experience its highest tide in over fifty years.
I really enjoyed this book. It was what I would consider a nice, light read. Lynch has a sharp wit, a sound writing style, and a knack for brilliant similes. The narrative is very unique, but sometimes dances close to the brink of cliche.
The biggest problem I had with the book is that the narrative voice is somewhat ill-defined. Miles tells his story as hindsight confessional, being recalled for the reader rather than experienced by the reader. Why did Lynch decide to tell his story this way? Would my experience as a reader be different if this was written in present tense as opposed to past? I think it would.
The Highest Tide is a book about science and faith, about the practical versus the mystical. Miles often recalls the writing of Rachel Carson who celebrates these dualities as complimentary rather than contradictory. By setting this novel in the past and providing a tidy ending where all phenomena is explained and justified, I think Lynch grounds his story too strongly in the scientific at the expense of the mystical. At the end of the novel Miles story is still fantastic, but is ceases to be fantastical.
January 13, 2014
The Highest Tide starts out strong, but ends up going nowhere. I was intrigued by the characters and setting to begin the novel, but there is no real development as the novel proceeds. The main character, Miles, also provides the narration, which draws the reader away from the story with his inconsistency. Sometimes Miles comes off as a 14 year old kid, which he is, and at other times, he writes like a completely mature adult. I get that Miles is wise beyond his years, but Lynch seems to falter between Miles' actual thoughts and writing and his own - there is not a clear separation between author and narrator.
The most enjoyable part of the book was the descriptions of The Sound, the oceans, and sea life. The setting almost becomes a character itself.
Overall, the characters are not interesting enough nor develop enough for this book to really work.
The most enjoyable part of the book was the descriptions of The Sound, the oceans, and sea life. The setting almost becomes a character itself.
Overall, the characters are not interesting enough nor develop enough for this book to really work.
March 12, 2022
While packed with information about unusual sea life, the story of Miles O'Malley, a pint sized 13 year old whose intelligence is beyond his years is mediocre.
Living with parents whose relationship is on the rocks, he spends every waking hour in a nearby bay collecting clams and other crustaceans for collectors and restaurants. Short of five feet, he's a standing joke to his friends until luck swings his way. Discovery of a giant squid opens the door to his celebrity, but when he predicts the highest tide in history, Miles fame elevates to new levels. What most don't know is the prediction emanated from his elderly friend, Florence.
Beyond this there's not much to tell, though I had high hopes at the beginning.
If you enjoy these kind of stories, you might add it. Otherwise, I can't honestly recommend it.
Living with parents whose relationship is on the rocks, he spends every waking hour in a nearby bay collecting clams and other crustaceans for collectors and restaurants. Short of five feet, he's a standing joke to his friends until luck swings his way. Discovery of a giant squid opens the door to his celebrity, but when he predicts the highest tide in history, Miles fame elevates to new levels. What most don't know is the prediction emanated from his elderly friend, Florence.
Beyond this there's not much to tell, though I had high hopes at the beginning.
If you enjoy these kind of stories, you might add it. Otherwise, I can't honestly recommend it.
February 20, 2022
A wonderful coming-of-age story in the Pacific Northwest that is full of honesty and good humor.
I enjoyed it completely.
I enjoyed it completely.
September 30, 2014
I read this novel all in one sitting. Couldn't put it down, even as the clock ticked past midnight (and I usually turn into a pumpkin at 10 pm).
I loved the main character, Miles, because I was a prairie-girl version of him. I spent all my free time either outdoors or reading (or reading outdoors). I was just as fascinated by prairie as he was by ocean. I must say, I envied his library and his contacts with academe. I was stuck with a small town library, far from any experts of any kind.
I also enjoyed Miles' use of the library to research anything, be it marine life or the G-spot. That's my reaction to anything new too--get a book from the library and absorb information.
A lovely coming-of-age story which should appeal to anyone with naturalist leanings.
I loved the main character, Miles, because I was a prairie-girl version of him. I spent all my free time either outdoors or reading (or reading outdoors). I was just as fascinated by prairie as he was by ocean. I must say, I envied his library and his contacts with academe. I was stuck with a small town library, far from any experts of any kind.
I also enjoyed Miles' use of the library to research anything, be it marine life or the G-spot. That's my reaction to anything new too--get a book from the library and absorb information.
A lovely coming-of-age story which should appeal to anyone with naturalist leanings.
November 16, 2012
Reviewed by Dianna Geers for TeensReadToo.com
Miles says that most people don't believe him when he describes what he sees in the water--they often think he is exaggerating or lying. But when he finds something that is almost unbelievable to both himself and Professor Kramer, people begin seeing him a bit differently.
What he saw was a giant squid, which is usually a deep-ocean creature. The mystery of how such a creature would end up in the shallow waters of the Puget Sound caused quite a commotion in his own community and among the science community at large. Since Miles tends to be a quiet teenager, sudden attention focused on him seems a bit unsettling.
When Miles finds more unusual creatures in the area, more attention and questions are focused on him. Why is he the only one finding all of these remarkable things? Miles says it's because he is probably the only one looking. Indeed, he spends more time looking at the water than most kids spend on the computer. He becomes seen as a sort of scientific genius, a prophet, and even a hero. More and more people begin showing interest in this area and Miles struggles with the constant attention and the disturbance to the once quiet area. All of this is happening while Miles struggles with his parents' troubled marriage, his crush on a girl, helping his elderly friend stay out of a nursing home, and just plain old growing up.
Never before have the details from a book intrigued me so much that I immediately wanted to research them so I could see what was described in the writing. Until I read THE HIGHEST TIDE by Jim Lynch, that is.
Miles, the main character, has such a love for water life, and he spends a great deal of his time exploring. When Miles describes the things he sees it is with so much respect and awe that readers can't help but be drawn into a fascination of this world that is so often overlooked. I found myself wanting to pick up the book during my day so that I could see where else Miles's discoveries would take me. And when I did research, the pictures of these creatures were just as breathtaking as Miles described them.
Jim Lynch is able to create beauty with words the way artists do with paintbrushes. Read this book. You will see our planet differently. At least the 2/3 of it that is water and contains such intrigue.
Miles says that most people don't believe him when he describes what he sees in the water--they often think he is exaggerating or lying. But when he finds something that is almost unbelievable to both himself and Professor Kramer, people begin seeing him a bit differently.
What he saw was a giant squid, which is usually a deep-ocean creature. The mystery of how such a creature would end up in the shallow waters of the Puget Sound caused quite a commotion in his own community and among the science community at large. Since Miles tends to be a quiet teenager, sudden attention focused on him seems a bit unsettling.
When Miles finds more unusual creatures in the area, more attention and questions are focused on him. Why is he the only one finding all of these remarkable things? Miles says it's because he is probably the only one looking. Indeed, he spends more time looking at the water than most kids spend on the computer. He becomes seen as a sort of scientific genius, a prophet, and even a hero. More and more people begin showing interest in this area and Miles struggles with the constant attention and the disturbance to the once quiet area. All of this is happening while Miles struggles with his parents' troubled marriage, his crush on a girl, helping his elderly friend stay out of a nursing home, and just plain old growing up.
Never before have the details from a book intrigued me so much that I immediately wanted to research them so I could see what was described in the writing. Until I read THE HIGHEST TIDE by Jim Lynch, that is.
Miles, the main character, has such a love for water life, and he spends a great deal of his time exploring. When Miles describes the things he sees it is with so much respect and awe that readers can't help but be drawn into a fascination of this world that is so often overlooked. I found myself wanting to pick up the book during my day so that I could see where else Miles's discoveries would take me. And when I did research, the pictures of these creatures were just as breathtaking as Miles described them.
Jim Lynch is able to create beauty with words the way artists do with paintbrushes. Read this book. You will see our planet differently. At least the 2/3 of it that is water and contains such intrigue.
February 2, 2022
The sea critter and entire locale situation is phenomenal. Mike鈥檚 thoughts and situation carved. Coming of age non-vertebrate extravaganza. Plus some credible backbones.
April 14, 2019
Un roman charg茅 de po茅sie qui nous racont茅 l'茅t茅 o霉 la vie de Miles, 13 ans a bascul茅. C'est l'histoire d'un adolescent, passionn茅 par la faune et la flore marines, amoureux de son ancienne baby-sitter, qui fait des d茅couvertes qui le d茅passent, tant au sujet des choses qui le passionnent, qu'au sujet des relations humaines. Une jolie lecture qui conna卯t parfois quelques longueurs quand on n'est pas sp茅cialement int茅ress茅 par les cr茅atures de la mer...
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February 5, 2009This remarkable debut novel is one of the reasons people keep reading: occasionally, a book by a new author comes along and knocks your socks off. Lynch, formerly the Puget Sound correspondent with Portland's Oregonian, knows his terrain and describes the Puget Sound ecology with a poetic touch. Even more impressive, he has mastered the voice__and emotions__of a teenage boy. Finally, though this novel clearly conveys the beauty and fragility of the earth around us, Lynch is never preachy or heavy-handed. Critics nitpicked only with Miles's stereotyped friend Phelps and factual dialogue that could better have been inserted into the narrative. In short, The Highest Tide is one of the best surprises of the season.
This is an excerpt from a review published in .
July 23, 2017
As I read this book, I mainly found myself wondering why it is that EVERY ya book I read with a male main character is rife with lewd sexual comments, homophobia and racism. This seems so much less common in books with female-id'ed main characters. Honestly, it's such a turn off for me. I felt this way about Going Bovine as well. Why does this happen? Is this sort of language/content meant to appeal to young boys? It seems to just aid in the socialization of entitled men.
And that is the end of tonight's feminist ran
And that is the end of tonight's feminist ran
July 22, 2019
This is a sweet easy stress free book that was just what I needed. The story is about a delightful boy named Miles O鈥橫alley. He is thirteen, small for his age and is a genius in the field of oceanography. He lives near a tidal pool and knows about all the creatures that live in the sea.
The story is also about his unusual discoveries, his moment of fame, his inattentive fighting parents and his crush on the older girl who lives next door. There were a few laugh out loud moments and a heartbreaking event that is unfortunately a part of life. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The story is also about his unusual discoveries, his moment of fame, his inattentive fighting parents and his crush on the older girl who lives next door. There were a few laugh out loud moments and a heartbreaking event that is unfortunately a part of life. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
March 28, 2017
Not an amazing book. I would not recommend this to anyone.
January 12, 2023
very good info about marine life and the ocean, plot was ok nothing super intriguing. written from the perspective of a 13 year old boy which was interesting
馃馃寠馃悺馃悪馃悹
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January 9, 2024
I thought I would like this b/c it was set in Puget Sound but the main character is too cringe (13 year old boy) for me to like it
September 25, 2007
Right, this is a "coming of age story" i.e., it's about the enchanted quality of puberty. I'm a sucker for these stories, and I really enjoyed this book. I'm also a fan of the borderlands motif - the seams where worlds meet - and a major feature of this story is loving descriptions of tidal marine life.
I think it goes well with "The curious incident of the dog in the night-time"; they're both stories of awkward boys amazed by the world, who have intellectual interests.
Oh there's some sort of messianic sub-plot. Or, maybe it was the main plot device... I can't really remember. But it's actually pretty unimportant to the book, so don't let it scare you off.
How can the main plot-device be a trivial element in a book? Well, maybe it's supposed to be the allegorical skeleton which shapes the entire book. I don't know. What I do know is that at a page-by-page, paragraph-by-paragraph level, descriptions of marine life, the physical setting, and the emotional development of the boy form the primary content of the book. Those are what it's worth reading for.
I think it goes well with "The curious incident of the dog in the night-time"; they're both stories of awkward boys amazed by the world, who have intellectual interests.
Oh there's some sort of messianic sub-plot. Or, maybe it was the main plot device... I can't really remember. But it's actually pretty unimportant to the book, so don't let it scare you off.
How can the main plot-device be a trivial element in a book? Well, maybe it's supposed to be the allegorical skeleton which shapes the entire book. I don't know. What I do know is that at a page-by-page, paragraph-by-paragraph level, descriptions of marine life, the physical setting, and the emotional development of the boy form the primary content of the book. Those are what it's worth reading for.
February 25, 2009
I really liked this book, particularly when I could connect both the obvious and the thinly veiled Olympia area references. Miles is the kind of kid that I would have a soft spot for if he were a regular at the library. I thought the ending was a bit abrupt, and I grew slightly tired of the fawning over Angie Stegner, but other than that it was a good solid read that taught me a lot about the ecosystem in the bay. I would have given it five stars if the ending had been a little more thoughtful.
May 23, 2009
I liked part of this book but considering the language and other material I rated it "didn't like". I just am not sure what authors are thinking today - do they really believe people want to read language that would set your ears on fire if you heard it? I guess the books sell so they write them but come on!! Clean it up people!
October 1, 2019
This book had a nice plot line and it was easy to follow through. This book had a bit of a slow start but once it got going it was pretty good. This is not a very exciting book so don鈥檛 get it if you鈥檙e into lots of action. The most exciting part of this book in my opinion was the earthquake and when I found out Florence had died.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 12, 2024
I loved this story. I often laughed out loud. It鈥檚 incoming of age story about a teenage boy. It won鈥檛 be for everyone but I enjoyed it
September 18, 2017
If you are looking for a quick read that the breaks in action are few and far between The Highest Tide by Jim Lynch is for you. Sitting at just under 250 pages it is perfect for anyone who wants to see a character act like a real person. In many novels, the protagonist is presented as a perfect human. However, Jim Lynch presents the slightly raunchy and hilarious Miles O鈥橫alley as how a real middle school boy would act; he uses profanity, thinks like an expectedly blunt teen would and cracks jokes throughout the book which keeps the reader interested and entertained. Miles doesn't fit in with his family, friends, and community; he is short, very smart, and explores the tidal flats of Puget Sound in his free time. Since he is an underdog he is loveable to the audience in the sense that you feel bad for him so in turn you root for him. Though he spends time when no one else is awake on the flats, his late night escapades and shocking scientific discoveries have a tremendous affect on his friends, family, and community. One of the few issues I had with this book was that the action was fast so the reader was easily hooked but it sometimes went so quickly that it was easy to get confused with what was happening. All pros and cons aside, this is the perfect book for anyone who is looking for a quick, easy, exciting novel, or just something new and unique.
November 10, 2021
鈥淪ee as much as you can see, I guess. Rachel Carson said most of us go through life "unseeing." I do that some days...I think it's easier to see when you're a kid. We're not in a hurry to get anywhere and we don't have those long to-do lists you guys have.鈥�
鈥�...that's the nature of marine life and the inland bays I grew up on. You'd have to be a scientist, a poet and a comedian to hope to describe it all accurately, and even then you'd often fall short.鈥�
Miles O鈥橫alley is a smart, gifted thirteen year old. He is an only child living with indifferent parents and he finds solace and wonder exploring the tidal flats of Puget Sound. One day he discovers a rare giant squid, washed up with the tide. He becomes a bit of a celebrity with locals and the scientific community. This is a coming of age novel, as Miles tries to grapple with approaching adulthood and understanding the mysteries of his beloved ocean and the warning signs it has been projecting. Lynch is a good writer but this one doesn鈥檛 quite reach the heights of his classic Border Songs. I still recommend it.
鈥�...that's the nature of marine life and the inland bays I grew up on. You'd have to be a scientist, a poet and a comedian to hope to describe it all accurately, and even then you'd often fall short.鈥�
Miles O鈥橫alley is a smart, gifted thirteen year old. He is an only child living with indifferent parents and he finds solace and wonder exploring the tidal flats of Puget Sound. One day he discovers a rare giant squid, washed up with the tide. He becomes a bit of a celebrity with locals and the scientific community. This is a coming of age novel, as Miles tries to grapple with approaching adulthood and understanding the mysteries of his beloved ocean and the warning signs it has been projecting. Lynch is a good writer but this one doesn鈥檛 quite reach the heights of his classic Border Songs. I still recommend it.
April 11, 2024
I don't ever want to read a book from a 13 year old boy POV again
August 10, 2023
a love letter to the south sound and also really funny and magical!馃悪
February 16, 2008
Miles O'Malley is thirteen, small for his age, and obsessed with Rachel Carson. He knows more than anyone else about the intricate workings of the small stretch of tidal mud flats along his part of Skookumchuck Bay. His best friends are Phelps, a wannabe bad-boy 13-year-old who blows smoke rings and plays air guitar like it's an artform; Angie, his former babysitter and current crush who's now a screwed-up young woman with a rock band; and Florence, an elderly neighbor and wildly inaccurate psychic. When Miles discovers a giant squid beached on the flats near his home, suddenly everyone is as fascinated by the mud flats as he is, and it precipitates a whirlwind summer that will change everything for Miles.
I loved this book to pieces! I'd heard great things about it, but I approached it cautiously, as I do for all books labeled "brilliant" and "life-changing." I wouldn't quite call it "life-changing," but I did think it was brilliant. Miles is a wonderful, falliable narrator; if he was just a hint more precocious, he would be unbelievable, and if he was just a hint more average his intelligence and obsessions would seem out of place. Instead he just feels like a very intelligent kid who is nonetheless a thirteen-year-old boy.
I loved this book to pieces! I'd heard great things about it, but I approached it cautiously, as I do for all books labeled "brilliant" and "life-changing." I wouldn't quite call it "life-changing," but I did think it was brilliant. Miles is a wonderful, falliable narrator; if he was just a hint more precocious, he would be unbelievable, and if he was just a hint more average his intelligence and obsessions would seem out of place. Instead he just feels like a very intelligent kid who is nonetheless a thirteen-year-old boy.
February 1, 2009
I am continually surprised by what my library system offers as the "One Book, One County" reading selection. Actually I've been surprised so frequently that I really should cease being surprised.
I find it hard to believe this book would have an "universal" appeal.
Miles O'Malley, a 13-year old boy, who is short, an insomniac, a speed reading genius and is as in love with the older girl next door as he is with tidal pool marine life.
Miles stumbles across a rare sea creature and overnight becomes a phenom. The summer holds interesting twists and turns for this young protagonist. Some of these adventures are engaging and well-written and others just left me feeling flat. I especially loved the sequences between Miles and Florence, an elderly lady with the "sight" who is dying. These moments are so precious and tender and not nearly frequent enough.
There is an ENORMOUS amount of descriptive detail and banter that even I felt bogged down. Also frustrating are characters introduced but never fully developed. Lynch spent too much time focusing on burgeoning adolescent sexuality instead of developing the complex story that could have been really good.
I find it hard to believe this book would have an "universal" appeal.
Miles O'Malley, a 13-year old boy, who is short, an insomniac, a speed reading genius and is as in love with the older girl next door as he is with tidal pool marine life.
Miles stumbles across a rare sea creature and overnight becomes a phenom. The summer holds interesting twists and turns for this young protagonist. Some of these adventures are engaging and well-written and others just left me feeling flat. I especially loved the sequences between Miles and Florence, an elderly lady with the "sight" who is dying. These moments are so precious and tender and not nearly frequent enough.
There is an ENORMOUS amount of descriptive detail and banter that even I felt bogged down. Also frustrating are characters introduced but never fully developed. Lynch spent too much time focusing on burgeoning adolescent sexuality instead of developing the complex story that could have been really good.
March 17, 2024
Wow, this guy can write! I felt like I was there at the ocean's edge, thanks to his perfect choice of words and masterful analogies. I love how he anthropomorphized the weather and the land without being heavy-handed. Each human character is also fully fleshed-out and integral to the story. If you get nothing else out of this book, I bet it will make you want to visit the sea and will impress upon you the importance of slowing down and being a student of nature.
October 11, 2017
I quite liked the book the highest tide. I could easily relate to it since he is a 13 year old and so am I. When I went on a trip to Oregon I understood the tide pools better and was actually looking for certain animals. The only reason i don鈥檛 give it five stars is because it was a little bit strange since he is a 13 year old boy going through puberty. Overall this was a great book and i learned lots from it.
December 4, 2013
I have mixed feeling about this book. First, I will never look at the ocean or any other body of water the same again. Second, I learned a lot about marine wildlife yet a lot if the book was only that. Long periods of time of facts and observations and miles' thoughts. This made it hard too keep up with the story line.
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