Synopses & Reviews
On the island of Normost, in the kingdom of Windward, 13-year-old Cerinthe Gale is a folk healer who dreams of being a dancer. When her mother falls ill, Cerinthe fights to save her — but fails. She blames herself for her mothers death, gives up healing, and decides to pursue dance. Cerinthe travels across Windward to audition at the School of the Royal Dancers, which accepts her even though she is a commoner. It should be the beginning of a brilliant future, but Cerinthe feels an emptiness she cant identify. A disagreement with a young man, a conflict with a cruel teacher, a rivalry with an aristocratic classmate, Elliana, and a meeting with a mederi — a healer with magical powers — add to her anguish. When the rivalry between the two girls causes a terrible accident, Ellianas life hangs in the balance. Cerinthe faces the same awful choice she had faced with her mother: Should she try to heal Elliana herself or hope that the mederi arrives in time? Only the song of the Sea Maid holds the answer.
Aria of the Sea is an ALA Best Book for Young Adults, a Book Sense 76 Recommended Childrens Book, and a New York Public Library Best Book for the Teen Age.
Review
"Compelling." (Publishers Weekly)
Review
". . . Cerinthe struggles to understand why she does not find fulfillment in dancing . . . this is a story about recognizing . . . one's calling." (School Library Journal)
Review
"Compelling." --
Publishers Weekly"This [is a] wondrous tale of competition, self-discovery, and forgiveness . . . Characters in this novel are memorable and true, flesh and blood to readers." -- Voice of Youth Advocates
Review
"Compelling." --
Publishers Weekly"This [is a] wondrous tale of competition, self-discovery, and forgiveness . . . Characters in this novel are memorable and true, flesh and blood to readers." -- Voice of Youth Advocates
About the Author
Dia Calhoun spent years training to be a dancer before turning her hand to design and then to writing. Firegold was her first book, followed by Aria of the Sea. She lives in Tacoma, Washington.