Overview
India Hill Brown meets Sharon Draper in a spooky, poignant, tour-de-force from Shakirah Bourne -- an ode to Black Boy friendships, the richness of Caribbean history, and the power that comes from reclaiming your past. Jermaine is NOT destined to be popular at his new elite school. First, he's the poorest kid in class -- no phone, no cool sneakers, no chance. Second, he loves science and can't keep himself from gushing about geology. But after being bullied at his old school, he's desperate for the status and protection that comes from joining the ""Turbo Jets""... even if that means abandoning Brody, a fellow outsider who truly wants to be Jermaine's friend. As part of a hazing ritual, the Turbo Jets dare Jermaine to break into the notorious ""haunted Chase Vault"" -- the crypt that once housed one of the cruelest enslavers in Barbados and his family. Then they lock him inside as a ""joke."" Luckily, Jermaine makes it out unscathed. There's just one problem. Someone else left the crypt with him. Someone desperate to learn how she died... and get her revenge. Jermaine is relieved someone else can see the ghost: his ex-best friend Brody. But freeing her won't be easy. It means ditching the Turbo Jets, teaming up with Brody, and unearthing ugly secrets from the island's colonial past. Will Jermaine really risk everything to help the suffering spirit find peace?
Full Product Details
Author: Shakirah Bourne
Publisher: Bound to Stay Bound Books
Imprint: Bound to Stay Bound Books
ISBN: 9798260504147
Pages: 289
Publication Date: 03 March 2026
Recommended Age: From 8 to 12 years
Audience:
Children/juvenile
,
Children / Juvenile
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: In Print
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Reviews
Praise for Josephine Against the Sea: * ""A heart-wrenching adventure with big laughs and well-earned surprises."" --Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review * ""Filled with humor and vibrant, likable characters, the suspense of this fast-paced, laugh-out-loud fantasy will keep the pages turning."" --Booklist, Starred Review ""Twining fantastical elements with a steady pace and a contemporary setting, Bourne nets a relatable story of processing grief, trust in one's family and community, and Black girl magic."" --Publishers Weekly ""Jo is a funny, determined heroine with no end of schemes, and Bourne's masterful modernizing of jumbie lore is thrilling. The story is riveting from beginning to end."" --Tracey Baptiste, New York Times bestselling author ""An entertaining read featuring many references to creatures from Caribbean mythology; sure to be a great addition to any library's middle grade collection."" --School Library Journal Praise for Nightmare Island: ""A horror story with strong appeal for fans of the genre featuring a bold, intriguing protagonist."" --Kirkus Reviews ""A chilling adventure steeped in Afro-Caribbean mythology that teems with twists, turns, and propulsive action."" --Publishers Weekly Praise for Beware The Heartman: ""Cleverly reimagines Caribbean folklore while reinforcing friendship and family."" --Kirkus Reviews
Author Information
Shakirah Bourne is a Barbadian author who writes stories inspired by Caribbean folklore. She once shot a movie scene in a cave with bats during an earthquake, but is too scared to watch horror movies. She enjoys exploring old graveyards, daydreaming, and eating mangoes. Learn more at shakirahbourne.com.
