Mary, girl from the sea

Nominated for De Boon longlist 2026 (the most important Flemish Literary award)

Mary lives by the sea. Really, literally. When she steps out of the house, her feet are in the sand. Next to her house is Mrs Man’s little shop, where you can find the most amazing things! Mary’s grandad died recently. Sometimes she misses him so much it hurts. One day, Mary finds her grandad’s diary. And then a very special note too. Huh? What does it all mean?! With the help of her friend Krabbetje, Mary searches high and low for clues… The start of a Very Big Adventure.

A wonderful story by Sarah Devos about being brave and daring. About believing in crazy dreams, but above all in yourself. About being happy with what you have and trusting your friends. Sometimes funny, sometimes philosophical, sometimes exciting, but always with a heart-warming dose of wonder.

Sarah Devos is known for her books about nature, in which she clearly and understandably explains natural phenomena, always with a great deal of humor and genuine amazement for everything around her. It will therefore come as no surprise that wonder is also the most important ingredient of her fiction debut.