Namako: Sea Cucumber

by Linda Watanabe McFerrin

Ellen, a ten-year-old multiracial girl, no longer a child, not quite a teenager, moves from America to Japan with her family & finds herself in a world of spirits & ancestors, ghost stories & secrets. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1566890756
• ISBN13: 9781566890755
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: Coffee House Press
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.1" x 7.5"

Customer Reviews

Sea Cucumber by Linda Watanabe McFerrin

I've had just finished reading the Novel Sea Cucumber by Linda Watanabe Mcferrin, and I would like to say that is a great book! The Novel Sea Cucumber is about a girl name Ellen who travel to Japan with her family to take care of her grandmother which she had never meet. This book shows how the love of a grandmother and a granddaughter can grow so loving, strong, and understanding. For example, in the beginning when Ellen found out she was staying with her grandmother, Ellen said, "Oh. Well, I guess I'll see you tomorrow." Ellen isn't sad or depressed that she had to stay with her grandmother. She was fine about it and took it calmly. Also, during New Year, Ellen said to her grandmother, "But Grandmother, if you don't come, the year wouldn't be lucky." This starts to show how much she cared for her grandmother. Ellen grew to love her grandmother so much, and she learned to care for her grandmother when she is lonely or sad. Without her grandmother being there with her, it wouldn't be Ellen`s "lucky day". Furthermore, near the end of the book, Ellen said, "I had found a kami, who filled me with hopes for my grandmother, for myself, for every part of the world, one who promised that the water would always turn clear." This shows that Ellen found new hope not only for herself, but also her grandmother. She grew to understand more about herself and her grandmother. Through what the kami had taught her, I don't think Ellen will ever forget her grandmother and how much her love has grow for her grandmother ever since. Ellen also gains a friendship throughout the novel and learns to trust each other. For instance, Ellen said, "Anne and I were perfectly matched. We were both the children of preoccupied parents. Mr. and Mrs. Matsuda were preoccupied with their jobs. Anna was an only child. Sara and Gene were preoccupied with trying to understand one another. Anna and I thrived on this absence of supervision." Ellen's friendship with Anne isn't only about "just being friends", but it is also about what they have in common and what being a friend is all about. They shared smiliarities and that's what keeps their friendship strong. Also, Ellen said, "That summer, before we switched schools, I had my first professional haircut. Anne was with me." Anne is a truly best friend. From what Ellen said, Anne seems to be a friend that will always be there whenever Ellen needs her. In addition, Anne stole tin pins that were painted gold and covered with gaudy fake diamonds, and she said, "Something to remember the moment. We'll wear then forever. Ellen, these are the symbols of our friendship." Friendship is strong and alive through both of them. No matter how far apart they might be or what goes wrong between them, their friendship will always last and their trust in each other will grow stronger each day. In this book, there are things that I've liked and not liked. I liked how the story was told in first person so I would understand how the main character, El

Sea Cucumber by Linda Watanabe McFerrin

I've had just finished reading the Novel Sea Cucumber by Linda Watanabe Mcferrin, and I would like to say that is a great book! The Novel Sea Cucumber is about a girl name Ellen who travel to Japan with her family to take care of her grandmother which she had never meet. This book shows how the love of a grandmother and a granddaughter can grow so loving, strong, and understanding. For example, in the beginning when Ellen found out she was staying with her grandmother, Ellen said, "Oh. Well, I guess I'll see you tomorrow." Ellen isn't sad or depressed that she had to stay with her grandmother. She was fine about it and took it calmly. Also, during New Year, Ellen said to her grandmother, "But Grandmother, if you don't come, the year wouldn't be lucky." This starts to show how much she cared for her grandmother. Ellen grew to love her grandmother so much, and she learned to care for her grandmother when she is lonely or sad. Without her grandmother being there with her, it wouldn't be Ellen's "lucky day". Furthermore, near the end of the book, Ellen said, "I had found a kami, who filled me with hopes for my grandmother, for myself, for every part of the world, one who promised that the water would always turn clear." This shows that Ellen found new hope not only for herself, but also her grandmother. She grew to understand more about herself and her grandmother. Through what the kami had taught her, I don't think Ellen will ever forget her grandmother and how much her love has grow for her grandmother ever since. Ellen also gains a friendship throughout the novel and learns to trust each other. For instance, Ellen said, "Anne and I were perfectly matched. We were both the children of preoccupied parents. Mr. and Mrs. Matsuda were preoccupied with their jobs. Anna was an only child. Sara and Gene were preoccupied with trying to understand one another. Anna and I thrived on this absence of supervision." Ellen's friendship with Anne isn't only about "just being friends", but it is also about what they have in common and what being a friend is all about. They shared smiliarities and that's what keeps their friendship strong. Also, Ellen said, "That summer, before we switched schools, I had my first professional haircut. Anne was with me." Anne is a truly best friend. From what Ellen said, Anne seems to be a friend that will always be there whenever Ellen needs her. In addition, Anne stole tin pins that were painted gold and covered with gaudy fake diamonds, and she said, "Something to remember the moment. We'll wear then forever. Ellen, these are the symbols of our friendship." Friendship is strong and alive through both of them. No matter how far apart they might be or what goes wrong between them, their friendship will always last and their trust in each other will grow stronger each day. In this book, there are things that I've liked and not liked. I liked how the story was told in first person so I would understand how the main character, El

Great book for the classroom

The New York Public Library named this book one of the Best Books for the Teen-Age, and with good reason. I've taught this book several times in my introductory comp. and lit. classes, and students respond to it amazingly well. It's an unconventional coming of age story, or as the author has described it, "My Life as a Dog" set in Japan. As I've read and reread the book, I've become increasingly impressed by the book's poetic resonance-the plot may seem impressionistic, yet, believe me, every word belongs, every line is important. It is all of a piece. One of the most poetic and "teach-able" books I've encountered. Great for the classroom, and beyond.

beautiful, deep, and transcendant

I loved this book so much that I bought 2 copies to give to very dear friends who had lived in Japan. I read Namako on a ferry and the motion of the waves seemed to merge with the pulse of the narrative. This book is very beautifully written. There's a lot already written about girls on the cusp of adolescence but rare is a writer who handles her topic with such grace and depth. I loved the Japanese setting, the archetypal grandmother who kept challenging the young heroine, telling her she had no soul until finally the girl finds her soul and her path. It explores a lot of the dark nooks and crannies. It is never patronizing. Oddly, because of the Japanese setting, it feels like a fairy tale that could have happened anywhere, in any setting. I loved the final epiphany at the ending. I think this book is also a nice feminist alternative to all the Holden Caulfieldesque boy-centered books people of my generation were expected to read when we were teens.

Sumptuously written and Humorous at the same time

As I read this book my emotions went up and down along with Ellen, the protagonist. I would be laughing hysterically at the childrens antics and crying when Ellen makes personal discoveries about herself and her grandmother. I could almost feel the seering heat of the steambath.