Is the death of the mother shown on the page?

The accident happened two years prior to the book's start. It is described through Hazel's memories and flashbacks, focusing more on the emotional aftermath and her physical scar than on graphic details.

How 'queer' is this book?

Hazel has two moms (one deceased), and there are themes of questioning and identity among the middle-school characters. It’s handled as a natural, settled part of their world rather than a source of shame or drama.

Is it too sad for a 9-year-old?

It depends on the kid. If they've recently experienced a loss, it might be too raw. For most, it's a 'good cry' book—sad but ultimately hopeful and focused on healing.

Does it have a happy ending?

It has a satisfying, hopeful ending. Hazel doesn't magically stop having anxiety, but she learns how to manage it and finds a way to be happy in her new life.

Hazel Bly and the Deep Blue Sea – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Hazel Bly and the Deep Blue Sea

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2021

88%

WISE Score

A 12-year-old with a literal and figurative scar moves to a seaside town to figure out how to stop waiting for the next wave of grief to hit.

Hazel Bly and the Deep Blue Sea

book

2021

88%

WISE Score

A 12-year-old with a literal and figurative scar moves to a seaside town to figure out how to stop waiting for the next wave of grief to hit.

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Screenwise Verdict

Hazel Bly and the Deep Blue Sea is a heavy-hitter for the 'sad book' shelf, but it’s far from miserable. It’s a gorgeous, intentional look at how kids process the kind of grief that adults often try to sanitize or hide from them.

Ashley Herring Blake doesn't talk down to her audience. She treats Hazel’s anxiety with the respect it deserves, showing how it’s both a burden and a survival mechanism. If your kid is going through a 'Bridge to Terabithia' phase, this is the modern equivalent they should pick up next.

Age Fit

Perfect for 9- to 12-year-olds who are ready for a 'heavy' book. It’s a great choice for kids who have outgrown lighter fare but aren't quite ready for the cynicism of YA.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Models a deeply supportive, if grieving, family structure and healthy, non-toxic friendships that focus on emotional honesty rather than middle-school drama.

Imaginative

While it is grounded realistic fiction, the internal world of Hazel's anxiety and the atmospheric seaside setting are vividly realized.

Safe

Very safe for the intended middle-grade audience. The primary 'risk' is the emotional weight of the mother's death and Hazel's physical/emotional scars.

Enriching

Top-tier for developing empathy and emotional intelligence. It gives kids a vocabulary for anxiety and the messy process of healing from loss.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Nuanced anxiety representation that goes beyond just 'being nervous' and shows how it affects a kid's daily choices.
Beautifully written setting in Rose Harbor that makes the environment feel like a character in the healing process.
LGBTQ+ inclusive storytelling that treats the characters' identities as a natural part of their lives without making it the 'problem' of the book.
Strong found-family vibes through Hazel's new friends who actually listen and support her.

⚠

What to Watch For

The description of the kayaking accident that killed Hazel's mother is brief but could be a major trigger for kids who have experienced sudden loss.
Hazel's anxiety is intense; she is constantly hyper-vigilant about the safety of her sister and mother, which might be stressful for highly empathetic readers.

Conversation Starters

"Hazel feels like she has to be the 'safety officer' for her family. Why do you think she feels that's her job?"
"How do Lemon and the other friends help Hazel differently than her Mama does?"
"What does the 'Deep Blue Sea' represent to Hazel at the start of the book versus the end?"
"Hazel has a physical scar from the accident. How does that scar change how she feels about herself?"

Deep Dive

A Masterclass in Middle-Grade Interiority

Most books for this age group rely on external quests or magical MacGuffins to keep the plot moving. Hazel Bly and the Deep Blue Sea does something harder: it makes the internal quest for peace feel just as high-stakes as any fantasy novel. Hazel is a 12-year-old who has been living in a state of 'waiting for the other shoe to drop' for two years. When her family moves to Rose Harbor, she isn't looking for adventure—she’s looking for a way to keep her family from drowning, literally and metaphorically.

What makes this work so well is the supporting cast. Lemon, Kiko, and Jules aren't just sidekicks; they are mirrors for Hazel's own growth. The book also subtly handles queer identity—Hazel’s mother was part of a same-sex couple—without making it a 'teachable moment' or the source of the conflict. It’s just the water they swim in, which is exactly the kind of representation that feels most authentic in 2026.

Handling the Heavy Stuff

Parents should know this book doesn't pull punches regarding grief. It explores the idea that you don't 'get over' a parent dying; you just learn to live with the shape of their absence. For a kid who has experienced loss, this could be a mirror they desperately need. For a kid who hasn't, it’s a window into empathy.

If you have a particularly sensitive reader, this is a prime candidate for a co-read. Not because there's anything inappropriate, but because the emotional weight is real. You'll want to be there to talk about why Hazel is so scared of the water and how she eventually finds her way back to the shore.

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