Plot Summary
Morgan is secretly gay and doesn’t want anyone to know. She falls off a cliff and is rescued by a girl who is a selkie. For anyone who doesn’t know a selkie is a seal who can turn into a human. In this story a seal can turn into a human every 7 years and if they kiss a human they can walk on land which is what the selkie named Keltie does. Morgan falls hard for Keltie, but doesn’t want anyone to know that she’s in a relationship with Keltie, however they are in a relationship with each other all summer. Her best friends are starting to feel left behind because Morgan won’t talk to them or hang out with them. They think that Keltie is weird. Morgan’s brother figures out that Morgan is in a relationship with Keltie and he outs Keltie to her family which makes Morgan really upset. Keltie is also looking out for her seal family which is in danger because of Morgan’s friend’s family’s boat company and Keltie asks Morgan for help to stop her friend’s boat from destroying the seal home. Morgan feels used at first, but then she comes to understand what Keltie is asking from her. Keltie and Morgan make up along with Morgan and her brother. Morgan and her mom also make up, she feels loved and accepted for being queer, Keltie goes on the boat with Morgan for Morgan’s friend’s birthday party and Morgan let’s everyone know that Keltie is her girlfriend. Some other stuff happens in the plot, but I can’t give EVERYTHING away, can I???
Author Molly Knox Ostertag
Molly Knox Ostertag is a young cartoonist and writer who has written some fantastic well-known graphic novels (Witch Boy)and is the creator of the animated series Owl House (Wikipedia, 2025).
What do I like about this graphic novel?
Overall, my favorite thing about this graphic novel is the sweet love story between the 15-year-olds and the coming-out story of the main character Morgan. I have never read a story about a selkie so that was really fun for me and a totally brand new mythical character. From the cover I thought it was going to be about a mermaid, but being about a selkie was a surprise.
Critical Evaluation For the Book:
It was hard to read about Morgan hiding her love for Keltie and watching her friends dissing and making fun of Keltie. As an adult I winced and cringed, even though I understand it is completely normal and expected of teenagers. It just upset me so much. I think back to my first boyfriend and how he didn’t want anyone to know I was dating him and I would not want anyone to experience what I did and it hurt my heart so much for poor Keltie. It made me dislike Morgan, but she redeems herself and all is right with the world.
Creative Uses for A Library Program
Personally this book sets up a wonderful ocean-themed book display in my mind. The beach, ocean, books about seals, selkies, mermaids, and other mythical water creatures comes to mind.
Speed Round Book Talk
Morgan is having a hard day falling into the water until she’s rescued by the beautiful selkie named Keltie. They totally crush on each other, kiss and Keltie suddenly has the ability to walk on land. However, Morgan is struggling with being out and Keltie needs to help her fellow seal friends from their home getting destroyed. Will Keltie’s heart be crushed by Morgan? Will her home be saved?
Potential Challenge Issues and Defense Preparation
I hate that I have to say a queer love story is a challenge issue, but it is. I hate that we live in a world that this is even seen as a problem by some people. It makes me angry, I want to rage some days over it, but I suppose for some that yes, this would raise questions and challenges. Personally, I find this to be so beautiful, lovely, and it makes my heart sing, but obviously some people cannot seem to deviate from the heteronormative relationships that we see every single day.
Reason for Inclusion:
The ending is not exactly happy. I love that there is a little bit of a bittersweet sadness to it. I cried. That’s not saying all that much, though, I do cry for everything. You can ask anyone I know. I think the art of the characters was very cute, especially the selkie. She had a very seal/ethereal look to her which I very much enjoyed. Her eyes were especially cute.
Title: The Girl From The Sea
Author: Molly Knox Ostertag
References:
Wikipedia. (2025). Molly Knox Ostertag. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molly_Knox_Ostertag
Maggy’s Mini YA Library! 