Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

Emily | Marlboro High School, Grade 11

Rating: *****

Kya, Ma, Pa, and her many siblings live in a rundown shack by the marsh. Her abusive Pa drives the entire family out until Kya is left to live by herself. She learns to survive on her own, taking a keen interest in the environment. Isolation proves to be difficult, and she eventually finds comfort in two boys. She learns that love can be both marvelous and heart-breaking.

When I first started reading this book, I was so tempted to quit. I’m not a fan of over-the-top descriptions of the natural world and its beauty. However, I am so glad I didn’t give up on this story because it’s one of the best I’ve ever read. I loved Kya, her naivete, and her strength. In the face of adversity, Kya never loses hope. She never went to school, but she published many books about the marshland and its inhabitants. In addition to the superb characters, there’s a mystery unfolding. The author switches between past and present to explain the circumstances that led up to Chase Andrew’s death, a popular football player. Overall, I truly cannot think of a better book, or one that has a more appealing protagonist.