Barb Rosenstock’s SEA WITHOUT A SHORE gets its third starred review, this time from SLJ

Books offer glimpses of worlds unknown, and that’s absolutely what this one accomplishes, illuminating the ins and outs of the Sargasso Sea from micro to macro views. It expands from small beginnings to portray a wide world of wonder; starting with the borders, it stretches to sargassum seaweed and the creatures that rely on it for sustenance. Most of the wonder can be found in Roy’s gorgeous illustrations. They gloriously grow from the spare nature of a lone seaweed stipe and stretch into golden swirls housing everything from camouflaged crabs to whales. Working with a rich color palette, she uses yellows and blues to create the vastness of the sea from tiny specks. Readers could easily get lost in illustrated details of the animals within the seaweed fronds. They can also easily get lost in the text, which presents the scientific terms simply and without explanation. It’s good practice for inference, but younger students may need support. However, there are also some rhythmic portions, nearly sing-song, that may not gel with older children. The text requires a reading sweet spot, in-betweeners with high understanding and high whimsy. The illustrations? There’s no barrier to entry there. VERDICT Stellar for middle grade science classrooms, particularly ones studying ocean life or habitats. – Cat McCarrey