Selkie Girl, by Laura Brooks

Shannon lent me this book, saying it was very emotional and meant for teenagers, but interesting because it explored the folk lore of the Orkney Islands. One of the best values it taught, imho, was the value of life, and the intelligence of marine life. The legends or folk tales have it that selkies are seals who can live either as humans or seals, and that on Midsummer Eve, what we would call the Summer Solstice, selkies come to dance with humankind in the celebration of Summer. The main character, a girl of 16, goes through a search for the "knowin'"--trying to understand her mission or purpose in life. The stories she learns as a human and as a selkie help her to understand her place in life, and to control her emotions, to be patient, and to let her fate play out. These are all very much the issues that young girls face, or young humans I should say, and its a well told story. Of course there is a love interest, but everything is very innocent, and I would say it would be the perfect gift for a girl 11-15 who likes to read, and who is reflective, seeking her place in the world.