UNSINKABLE CAYENNE, by Jessica Vitalis, Greenwillow Books, Oct. 29, 2024, Hardcover, $19.99 (ages 8-12)
A girl thinks her dreams have come true when her family moves out of their van and into a house in Unsinkable Cayenne, by Jessica Vitalis.
As Cayenne enters seventh grade, her parents decide it’s time to stop living in their van, roaming from place to place. Cayenne hopes that this means she will finally belong somewhere and make some friends. But it turns out that staying in one place isn’t easy at all.
When her social studies class studies the Titanic tragedy (the wreckage has just been discovered and her teacher is obsessed), Cayenne sees more and more parallels between the social strata of the infamous ship and her own life. Will she ever squeeze her way into the popular girls’ clique, even though they live in fancy houses on the hill and she lives in a tiny, rundown home with chickens in the front yard? Is it possible that the boy she likes actually likes her back? Can she find a way to make room for herself in this town? Does she really want to? Maybe being “normal” isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. —Synopsis provided by Greenwillow Books
Unsinkable Cayenne is a heartfelt novel-in-verse.
Author Jessica Vitalis’ decision to set the story in mid-1980s is perfect. Not only does it take a lot of technology out of the equation, but studying the Titanic allows for discussion about different classes. It’s not hard to see the parallels between the early 1900s first-, second-, and third-class passengers on the Titanic and that of the ’80s kids in Cayenne’s class.
Cayenne comes to life through Vitalis’ deft hands. Her hopes, dreams, fears, wishes are all there. And when it comes to the overall arc of her story, Vitalis doesn’t tie everything in a neat bow. Not everything is perfect. Change is a constant. And that’s something readers can relate to.
Unsinkable Cayenne is the type of book parents will enjoy alongside their kids. And grownups may just learn a thing or two in the process.
Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.
