First published 1978
Seabird begins life as a piece of walrus ivory in the hands of a skilled carver. The small gull takes shape aboard a sailing vessel, destined to become more than mere decoration. As decades pass, Seabird travels from ship to ship, passing through the hands of sailors, captains, and their families. The carved bird witnesses the evolution of American seafaring, from early colonial voyages to the age of steam and beyond. Through storms and calm seas, wars and peaceful trading missions, Seabird observes the courage and hardships of those who make their living on the water. The little ivory gull becomes a silent companion to generations of maritime folk, absorbing their stories and struggles. Each new owner adds to Seabird's understanding of life at sea and the changing face of America itself. The carved bird's journey reveals how the ocean connects distant shores and shapes the lives of all who venture upon its waters.
Genres: american-fiction, historical-fiction, adventure
Vibes: atmospheric, emotional, thought-provoking
Tropes: coming-of-age, object-as-protagonist
Setting: America
Period: 19th-Century, 20th-Century
64 pages · Paperback · Clarion Books