I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Seventeen-year-old Jihad Dabbagh has always seen life with a heightened sense for colors, one of many magical blessings the women in her family possess. But Jihad's gift changes depending on her mood. When depression sets in, the world is a colorless oasis, and in the wake of her mother's sudden death, the world has become a permanent shade of grey.

Broken by tragedy, Jihad's family doesn't believe her color loss. Her father sends her to the elite Braxton Academy to finish her senior year. There, Jihad's name and hijab put a target on her back. Her haven comes in the form of an old sketchbook carved from a tree in her hometown in Syria—a country she only knew through her mother's stories. Jihad hasn't picked up a brush in over a year, but finds herself channeling the colors of her hurt, pain, and grief as she paints the story of her mother's journey in Syria.

When graffiti of that same mural starts magically popping up all over New York, her art goes viral and the world takes notice, the threat of legal consequences is imminent. To reclaim her voice, Jihad will have to paint a new future for herself and Braxton, guided by the resilience of her mother's story.

Short and Sweet Review

The Ocean Would Paint me Blue was such an emotional and powerful read. The story follows Jihad, a seventeen-year-old girl whose world loses its color after the sudden death of her mother. As she navigates grief, Islamophobia, and the challenges of starting at a new school, she reconnects with her love of art and begins telling her mother’s story through a magical mural that starts appearing across New York City.

What stood out most to me was how thoughtfully the book explored grief, identity, faith, and belonging. Jihad’s journey felt raw and authentic, and while it was often difficult to watch her struggle, her growth throughout the story was incredibly rewarding. I also loved the focus on art as a form of healing and self-expression, and the stories about her mother’s life in Syria added so much heart and depth to the novel. The writing was beautiful and often poetic, with several lines that really stuck with me long after I finished reading. The book also tackles Islamophobia and discrimination in a way that feels honest and important without shying away from difficult realities. Jamie was a wonderful source of support, and I appreciated that their relationship was built on understanding and respect. My biggest issue was the pacing at the beginning. It took me a while to fully connect with the story, and some of the side characters felt underdeveloped compared to Jihad and her family. Because of that, I wasn’t completely invested from start to finish.

Overall, though, this was a moving, thought-provoking story that combines grief, family, art, and resilience in a memorable way. While the slow start kept it from being a perfect read for me, the emotional impact and important themes made it well worth the journey.