The Highest Tide - Jim Lynch

Genres: General Fiction
Recommended Ages: 16+

This summer I was fortunate enough to get to spend a week in the Outer Banks. For those that have never been there, the Outer Banks are a series of barrier islands, basically gigantic sand bars, found of the coast of North Carolina. As beautiful as the Green Mountains of Vermont are, I sometimes find my mind drifting off to visions of the Outer Banks; the crashing waves, the endless beaches, but mostly the vast array of wildlife. Dozens of species of birds, crabs, fish, even dolphins and other sea mammals can be found swimming on the ocean and sound sides of the Outer Banks - an animal lover's paradise, particularly for someone that loves marine life.

I'm sure Miles O'Malley would find the Outer banks an exciting place. Miles is a thirteen year old boy living on Skookumchuck Bay, the southernmost bay of Puget Sound in Washington state. While Miles is small for his age, just 4'9", he is filled to the brim with knowledge of the animals and plants found in the ocean, particularly those found in his bay. Miles's life is fairly typical until he finds a giant squid was up on the local nudist beach. A giant squid is a rare find, but it is unheard of to find one that far north. Thus begins the first in a series of miraculous discoveries, actions and predictions that lead Miles to local stardom and even cult hero status. Throughout it all, Miles stays concerned with what matters; appreciating the ocean, keeping his friends safe and keeping his family together.

This was truly a great novel. Jim Lynch has created a landscape so vivid one can almost hear gulls flying by and smell the tide rolling out. This book would be a great read for boys and girls, teens and adults - anybody that is looking for a really good read. I wouldn't recommend it to younger readers because of the sophistication of the writing as well as some mature content discussed in the book. For everyone else I just gotta say check out this book.