Maya and the Beast

August 1, 2022
Brazilian surfer Gabeira offers a fictionalized version of her childhood with this story of an adventurous young girl who overcomes sexism and self-doubt to become a great athlete. The inhabitants of the fishing village of Nazar�, Portugal, are in awe of a massive wave known as the Beast. A young villager named Maya has asthma and brings medicine with her wherever she goes; though shy, Maya finds fulfillment when moving her body during dancing, gymnastics, and swimming. Having grown up hearing about the Beast, she goes to see it for herself and is in awe of the massive wave, though she also notices boys surfing on it. Maya decides to try surfing, which her father encourages. The boys at the beach tell her surfing is no sport for girls, and she nearly believes them until a voice in a seashell tells her not to give up. Both text and illustrations offer a stirring account of Maya's journey to surfing mastery. The Beast begins as a spectacle from afar, filling the page with its sheer scope. Maya is often framed within or beneath its crest, including a wonderful scene of her would-be hecklers watching dumbfounded as she joyously surfs ahead of them. Maya and her family are brown-skinned; for the most part, other residents of Nazar� range in skin color from tan to brown. In an author's note, Gabeira describes growing up in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and, in 2007, setting a Guinness record for the largest wave ever surfed at Praia de Norte in Nazar�. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A rallying cry for anyone looking for a strong example of perseverance. (Picture book. 7-10)

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September 1, 2022
Grades 1-3 Gabeira is renowned in the world of big-wave surfing as a record breaker and pioneer for women in the sport. Here she recounts how she came to surfing as a little girl. Fictional Maya had heard tell of The Beast, an enormous wave that is seen off the coast of Nazar�, Portugal. She had heard of its ferocity and felt its power as the windows in the village shook when it crashed ashore. So when she saw The Beast for herself, she was astounded by its beauty and the sense of calm it emanated. Moreover, Maya was fascinated by the sight of boys surfing in it. Filled with awe, she ran home to tell her father that she had discovered her dream: surfing. Fictional Maya taught herself to surf, but in the back matter, we learn that the real Gabeira took lessons at a school. Each endured sexism and relied on her father for a counter message. Bright and colorful illustrations mirror the text about bravery and determination. A lengthy author's note adds details.

COPYRIGHT(2022) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

October 3, 2022
Gabeira draws on her experiences as a professional surfer to craft this eager story about a child’s beginnings in the sport. For its setting, the book takes Nazaré, Portugal—per an author’s note, Gabeira’s present residence and the location of her record-breaking surfs. Asthmatic child heroine Maya starts out “shy” and feeling “fragile and scared,” but after witnessing surfers riding a massive wave dubbed the Beast, she’s compelled to get on a board herself. At first, surfing seems like a boys’ club, but encouragement comes from listening to a seashell, and daily practice soon has her feeling “resilient,” “powerful,” and “happy.” The frenetic energy of azure waves fill the pages of Kaulitzki’s digital illustrations, which make palpable the ebullience that tan-skinned Maya feels when surfing. In a lengthy author’s note, Gabeira reflects on her own journey and the challenges faced by women and girls in a male-dominated sport. Ages 4–8.