Girl Overboard

Reviewed by Lynn Crow for TeensReadToo.com

It seems to Marina like it should be a dream: six weeks on a luxurious ship, experiencing ocean life face to face as she's never been able to before, and the chance to further her goal of becoming a marine biologist. But she can't help worrying that she'll miss her long-time boyfriend, Damon, so much that the trip will become a nightmare. That's the basic premise of GIRL OVERBOARD, a fun, fast read that's easy to enjoy, especially if you share Marina's fascination with the ocean.

Marina is a likable main character, with insecurities and doubts anyone can relate to as she struggles to figure out what she wants out of life. Her heart's in the right place, but she can't help taking a few missteps along the way, which just makes her all the more sympathetic. The other major characters -- flirtatious Link, bubbly Jeanette, thoughtful Ryan -- are colorful and distinctive. They also all prove to have more to them than Marina (and the reader) first suspects.

The novel is most involving when dealing with Marina's oceanic studies. The author bio reveals that Ferris has spent many years in the Caribbean, and her experience shows in the vivid descriptions of the landscapes, animals, and island life, as well as the detailed procedures Marina participates in to try to preserve that environment. The reader feels right there with Marina, whether it's feeding a dolphin for the first time or diving with an enormous whale shark. It's clear why Marina loves this work so much, and anyone can understand why she's considering leaving everything she cares about back home to pursue her dream career.

Where the novel falters a little is in Marina's romantic conflicts. Her realization of the differences between herself and her boyfriend develops gradually and realistically, and her attraction to Link, who shares many of her interests and values, seems only natural. Unfortunately, the problems that arise with both Damon and Link are resolved so easily there is hardly any tension at all -- Marina simply speaks her mind, and everything works out. While it's wonderful to portray honesty as a solution to problems, a few more complications would have made this part of the story more exciting and interesting.

Nevertheless, the focus of the novel is more on the ocean and Marina's adoration for it than on the boys in her life. There, the novel succeeds completely. Whether as a beach read or a read for those who only wish they were down by the sea, it won't fail to entertain.

It's an awsome book

Yoy should definatley read this book if you need 2 learn about ur self. this book has a moral lesson: you need 2 always express your feelings. i've told all of my insecure friends about it and they have some wut learned from it. Now, they express their feelings

'Will she follow her dream or someone else's?'

The book, Girl Overboard, is an exciting tale about a girl named Marina. She goes on a trip for two months to the Bahamas, Bay Islands, and the Dominican Republic. Marina is trying to make her dream come true. On this trip she will see dolphins, sea turtles, and whale sharks. When Marina leaves home, she is leaving Damon, her long time boyfriend and on this trip she also happens to meet flirtatious Link. So will she dump the boring Damon and take flirtatious Link or go crawling back to Damon. Read this book and you will find out. My favorite part of this book was when Marina finally chose between Damon and Link. I liked learning about the three very different places that they visited. When Link risked his life to save Marina¿s I loved it and thought that it was very romantic. Some parts on the book that I didn¿t like is the end because they left me hanging. I thought that some of the parts that would be dramatic in real life were not as dramatic as they should have been. I very much disliked when the author brought in more minor characters that did not matter because they confused me and I could not tell who the author was talking about. This book had lots of ups and downs but I would still rate it excellent. This book is a part of a series but it can be read in any order. The name of the series is S.A.S.S. which means Students Across the Seven Seas. This book reminds me of Princess Diaries Two: The Royal Engagement when Princess Mea is stuck between two guys and is confused and has to make a tough choice like Marina did. I think that this book is mostly for teenage girls because it is romantic but guys could read it too. This book is also for people that want to be marine biologists or like to learn about countries. This book is similar to a book called Thirteen Little Blue Envelopes. I you like this book then I also recommend the True Colors Series and Spain or Shine. This book was very good and it has a lot of emotional happenings that make you want to keep reading.

this is a great book!!

this book was great..i recommend it to anyone who loves a little romance, and loves sea animals!!! i have always been thinking about studying marine life for a long time and this made me want to do it more!!i loved this book and i hope you do to!!!!

A reviewer

It seems to Marina like it should be a dream: six weeks on a luxurious ship, experiencing ocean life face to face as she's never been able to before, and the chance to further her goal of becoming a marine biologist. But she can't help worrying that she'll miss her long-time boyfriend, Damon, so much that the trip will become a nightmare. That's the basic premise of GIRL OVERBOARD, a fun, fast read that's easy to enjoy, especially if you share Marina's fascination with the ocean. Marina is a likable main character, with insecurities and doubts anyone can relate to as she struggles to figure out what she wants out of life. Her heart's in the right place, but she can't help taking a few missteps along the way, which just makes her all the more sympathetic. The other major characters -- flirtatious Link, bubbly Jeanette, thoughtful Ryan -- are colorful and distinctive. They also all prove to have more to them than Marina (and the reader) first suspects. The novel is most involving when dealing with Marina's oceanic studies. The author bio reveals that Ferris has spent many years in the Caribbean, and her experience shows in the vivid descriptions of the landscapes, animals, and island life, as well as the detailed procedures Marina participates in to try to preserve that environment. The reader feels right there with Marina, whether it's feeding a dolphin for the first time or diving with an enormous whale shark. It's clear why Marina loves this work so much, and anyone can understand why she's considering leaving everything she cares about back home to pursue her dream career. Where the novel falters a little is in Marina's romantic conflicts. Her realization of the differences between herself and her boyfriend develops gradually and realistically, and her attraction to Link, who shares many of her interests and values, seems only natural. Unfortunately, the problems that arise with both Damon and Link are resolved so easily there is hardly any tension at all -- Marina simply speaks her mind, and everything works out. While it's wonderful to portray honesty as a solution to problems, a few more complications would have made this part of the story more exciting and interesting. Nevertheless, the focus of the novel is more on the ocean and Marina's adoration for it than on the boys in her life. There, the novel succeeds completely. Whether as a beach read or a read for those who only wish they were down by the sea, it won't fail to entertain. **Reviewed by: Lynn Crow

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