soup of the day: sea by heidi r. kling!

Northwest Sulawesi, Indonesia (photo by Viktor Kaposi).

Hai! Apa kabar? (Hi! How are you?)

Just for today, let’s channel Indonesia. Seems like the best way to celebrate the official release of Heidi R. Kling’s debut young adult novel, Sea (Putnam, 2010)! WooHoo!

*splash*

You know how much I love first books — we haven’t celebrated one in awhile here at alphabet soup, and Sea is just the thing now that summer is here. I can’t wait to read all about fifteen-year-old Sienna Jones, who’s been traumatized ever since her mother’s plane went missing over the Indian Ocean.

Once a daring, carefree surfer girl, California-born Sienna has become morose and withdrawn, afraid of airplanes and anything to do with the ocean. She’s given up surfing and is barely functional when her dad gives her the worst birthday present imaginable — a plane ticket to Indonesia. He wants her to accompany him and two other doctors, who are going to an orphanage to help tsunami survivors suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Banda Aceh school, post tsunami photo by UNICEF Sverige.

Despite her deep-seated fears, Sienna makes the trip, which takes place just six months after the disaster. She must deal with cultural differences and deprivation, but she’s also drawn to an orphan she meets her first night there — 17-year-old Deni, who’s from Banda Aceh, the tsunami’s epicenter. The two bond quickly, with Deni defying strict Muslim law to take Sienna out on clandestine tours of the town. When Deni hears rumors that his father may still be alive, he convinces Sienna to run away with him to Aceh. What will they find there, and how does the experience help Sienna to heal?

Photo of Banda Aceh street by mangiwau.

Main Mosque in Banda Aceh that survived the tsunami (photo: John Ramsey).

Early teen readers have been overwhelmingly positive in their reactions to Sea. They like the central romance between Sienna and Deni, of course, but they also like being immersed in the exotic setting, learning about Indonesia and Muslim culture, and seeing how survivors and relief workers cope with the aftermath of a natural disaster. Grief, loss, and healing are the major themes in this adventure-love story of hope.

Sea was inspired by Heidi’s husband’s volunteer relief efforts in the wake of the 2004 Tsunami. A cross-cultural PTSD specialist, he worked at an orphanage like the one featured in the novel, and some of the boys and volunteers there helped Heidi translate the language for use in dialogue. In an interview with Saundra Mitchell, Heidi says she is glad she wrote the book, because not much is written about the aftermath of disasters, "what happens to the survivors when the news cameras have gone home. After the funding stops rolling in. I hope Sea raises awareness and helps American teens (and adults) get a better perspective about our global responsibilities as human beings."

Aceh, January 2005 by IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation/Turkey.

photo by Dave and Joka.

Here’s Heidi talking about Sea at Kepler’s Books:

You can see why I’m excited about reading this book. I love novels based on real-life events, especially those with humanitarian themes. Are you ready now to help me congratulate Heidi on the publication of her first book? No need for spoons if they’re not handy. Simply dive right in. Way to go, Heidi, we’re thrilled for you! Selamat!

Today’s Special: Soupnami (seasoned with love, friendship, compassion and hope).

Along with today’s soup, a couple of Indonesian sides. Care for some chicken satay?

And here’s some Mie Goreng (fried noodle dish introduced to Indonesia by the Chinese):

Yes, yes. I know you’re looking for dessert. We’re going cross-cultural today. One Indonesian dessert, Klepon (sticky rice balls filled with palm sugar and rolled in coconut),

photo by foodism.

and an American one, Coconut Cupcakes (Heidi’s fuel):

photo by two parts sugar.

Alright, you know the drill. Fly, swim, or sail over to your local indie, or click through to your fave online bookseller to score your very own copy of Sea. If you go to a bricks and mortar store, be sure to wear blue (H’s fave color), and flip flops (she loves ’em). Feel free to bribe the cashier with a coconut cupcake and wish him/her a happy summer!

♥ Heidi R. Kling’s official website and blog.

♥ Official trailer for Sea.

♥ Online Reviews: Bookalicious, thebookbind, Tales of the Ravenous Reader, Novel Novice, The Pages of Brooks.

♥ Interviews: In Bed with Books, Bookmac, Making Stuff Up for a Living (Saundra Mitchell), One Potato . . . Ten.

♥ For those in the Palo Alto area, Heidi’s Launch Party info: