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Unsinkable Cayenne

Description:

2025 NCTE Notable Verse Novel

High Plains Book Award Winner

“Intensely readable.” —School Library Journal (starred review)

When her unconventional parents finally agree to settle down in one place, twelve-year-old Cayenne’s dreams come true—but the reality of fitting in is much harder than she imagined. Acclaimed author Jessica Vitalis crafts an unforgettable historical novel-in-verse about belonging, family, and social class, for fans of Lisa Fipps’s Starfish and Jasmine Warga’s Other Words for Home.

As Cayenne enters seventh grade, her parents decide it's time to stop living in their van, roaming from place to place. Cayenne hopes that this means she will finally belong somewhere and make some friends. But it turns out that staying in one place isn’t easy at all.

When her social studies class studies the Titanic tragedy (the wreckage has just been discovered and her teacher is obsessed), Cayenne sees more and more parallels between the social strata of the infamous ship and her own life. Will she ever squeeze her way into the popular girls’ clique, even though they live in fancy houses on the hill and she lives in a tiny, rundown home with chickens in the front yard? Is it possible that the boy she likes actually likes her back? Can she find a way to make room for herself in this town? Does she really want to? Maybe being “normal” isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

Set in the mid-1980s, this literary novel is for readers of Megan E. Freeman’s Alone and Erin Entrada Kelly’s We Dream of Space

Review:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous novel in verse!

e. · November 7, 2024

I was lucky to read Unsinkable Cayenne, a novel in verse that showcases Jessica Vitalis's skill as a wordsmith. Much like a surgeon wielding tools—every word is carefully placed. This historical novel-in-verse is about belonging, family, and social class. Vitalis, an award-winning author, makes all her works a true joy to read. Vitalis's crisp storytelling invites you to spend time in Cayenne’s 1980's world, where fitting in is as challenging as navigating the social ranks on the Titanic. Releasing in October! Highly recommend!

5.0 out of 5 stars Skillfully written, thoroughly engaging

T.C.R. · November 9, 2024

UNSINKABLE CAYENNE, by Jessica Vitalis, is skillfully written, well-paced, and thoroughly engaging. The story is unique in that it is a historical novel in blank verse.The wreckage of the Titanic was found September 1, 1985, and Cayenne finds her teacher “obsessed” with the long-sunken luxury liner. Mr. Hartley has devised lessons around the theme across the seventh grade curriculum.Classroom learning is new to Cayenne. The twelve-year-old has been homeschooled by her mother. Home was an old van. Cayenne’s family now lives in a small town in Montana and, for the first time in her life, a real house.Cayenne is the oldest child in an unquestionably loving but markedly unique family. Her mother unselfconsciously dances barefoot by campfire light, her presence emanating patchouli. Her father is impacted by his service during a war that sizzled and boiled in shadowed jungles and, on the home front, in news reports. He often smells of cannabis. These factors complicate Cayenne’s deeply felt quest to finally fit in.And the Titanic? While initially Cayenne was only mildly interested during lessons centered on the doomed ship, she begins to see how its voyage, its fate, echo conditions in life:“1,317 ticketed passengers were on board the Titanic.324 first class, 62% survived284 second class, 42% survived709 third class, 26% survived“I don’t understandI don’t understand whyI don’t understand why the amount of moneysomeone has determines how much they are worth.”~ ~ ~While recommended for readers eight through twelve, UNSINKABLE CAYENNE is relatable and would be enjoyed by adult readers also. Highly recommended. Five stars.

5.0 out of 5 stars Will touch young readers’ hearts!

K. · October 31, 2024

A beautiful novel that tenderly explores questions of class, of family loyalty, and of the very relatable desire to fit in with the crowd. Drawing upon the historical context of the discovery of the Titanic wreckage in the 1980s, Jessica Vitalis' UNSINKABLE CAYENNE poignantly addresses poverty from a child's eye view. Cayenne's internal conflict and her wish to belong will resonate with and touch the hearts of so many young readers.

5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely, Lyrical, and True to Life

P. · November 5, 2024

I love that this book paints a picture of a real family. Though the family is flawed, like all families, they are in this thing called life together. They face real problems, and Cayenne, the bird-lover, finds ways to soar despite the challenges she faces. The book is gorgeous, with illustrations of little birds soaring across the pages, which reminding us of one of the books central themes: if we find the resolve to be unsinkable, we just might fly.

5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn’t put it down

J. · November 5, 2024

Another amazing book written by Jessica Vitalis. This one, in particular, brought me to tears!

5.0 out of 5 stars A heartwarming story about family, moving, and the desire to fit in

P. · September 9, 2025

I loved this book! It’s a heartwarming story about family, moving, and the desire to fit in. Cayenne’s family lives a nomadic life in a van, traveling from place to place, while her heart yearns for a stable home. When her dad finds a job, it feels like her dreams might finally come true. Written in beautiful verse, this story tugs at your heartstrings and explores the meaning of family, friendship, and discovering your own worth.

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Novel in Verse

S.A. · September 1, 2025

I loved Cayenne as the main character navigating middle school life in 1985, as her family tries to "settle" down and live in one place after living in several places in their van. Told as a novel in verse. Beautiful.

4.0 out of 5 stars Makes the Titanic relevant to today's middle schoolers

4. · November 1, 2024

4.5 stars to Vitalis for this engaging verse novel about Cayenne, a new 7th grader who just wants to fit in at school after leaving a nomadic life to settle with her family in a small Montana town in 1985. Cayenne's family is poor and her parents (including her pot-smoking dad) are hippies, but she wants to be like the rich popular kids when she starts a new school. She has a crush on the new boy and tries to navigate friendships, but her family is dealing with a lot with as low as their income is. When her history teacher shares the statistics on the survival rates of the first-, second-, and third-class passengers on the Titanic, Cayenne starts to feel like a third-class passenger floundering in a first-class world. She's a believable middle schooler that readers will identify with and cheer for.My students love verse novels, and I will probably add this to my shelves, but as a teacher in a Christian school, there may be a couple of concerns for others with a similar population: (1) a minor character at the end is referenced as having two moms, and (2) the author's note places Darwinism over creation theory in trying to settle the chicken vs. the egg debate. The fact that the dad's marijuana habit is illegal is handled appropriately, but the other two minor items keep it off my 5-star list for other teachers in Christian schools.

Gorgeous and powerful novel in verse

M.F.S. · May 23, 2025

What a beautiful story, well told. Jessica uses verse to tell a tale about Cayenne’s confronting the unfair societal divides between the haves and the have nots. It’s an uncommon theme in kidlit brought to life through Cayenne’s experiences, interwoven with the vivid and effective metaphor of the Titanic. Jessica paints an evocative and relatable narrative that will resonate with any child, allowing them to empathize or see themselves in Cayenne’s journey. Readers will cheer for Cayenne as she navigates a new town, a new school, and the challenges of life with her wonderfully unconventional family.

Unsinkable Cayenne

Product ID: U0063314452
Condition: New

4.9

BHD875

Price includes VAT & Import Duties
Type: Hardcover
Availability: In Stock

Quantity:

|

Order today to get by

Free delivery on orders over BHD 20

Return and refund policies

Imported From: United States

At bolo.bh, we stand behind the authenticity and quality of every product we sell. We guarantee that all items offered on our website are 100% genuine, sourced directly from authorized distributors, trusted partners, or the original brands themselves.

We do not sell counterfeit, replica, or unauthorized goods. Each product undergoes thorough inspection and verification at our consolidation and fulfilment centers to ensure it meets our strict authenticity and quality standards before being shipped and delivered to you.

If you ever have concerns regarding the authenticity of a product purchased from us, please contact Bolo Support . We will review your inquiry promptly and, if necessary, provide documentation verifying authenticity or offer a suitable resolution.

Your trust is our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in every transaction.

All product information, including images, descriptions, and reviews, is provided by third-party vendors. bolo.bh is not responsible for any claims, promotions, or representations made within product content or images. For more accurate or detailed product information, please contact the manufacturer directly or reach out to Bolo Support.

Unless otherwise stated during checkout, all prices displayed on the product page include applicable taxes and import duties.

bolo.bh operates in accordance with the laws and regulations of Bahrain. Any items found to be restricted or prohibited for sale within the UAE will be cancelled prior to shipment. We take proactive measures to ensure that only products permitted for sale in Bahrain are listed on our website.

All items are shipped by air, and any products classified as “Dangerous Goods (DG)” under IATA regulations will be removed from the order and cancelled.

All orders are processed manually, and we make every effort to process them promptly once confirmed. Products cancelled due to the above reasons will be permanently removed from listings across the website.

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Unsinkable Cayenne

Product ID: U0063314452
Condition: New

4.9

Type: Hardcover

BHD875

Price includes VAT & Import Duties
Availability: In Stock

Quantity:

|

Order today to get by

Free delivery on orders over BHD 20

Return and refund policies

Imported From: United States

At bolo.bh, we stand behind the authenticity and quality of every product we sell. We guarantee that all items offered on our website are 100% genuine, sourced directly from authorized distributors, trusted partners, or the original brands themselves.

We do not sell counterfeit, replica, or unauthorized goods. Each product undergoes thorough inspection and verification at our consolidation and fulfilment centers to ensure it meets our strict authenticity and quality standards before being shipped and delivered to you.

If you ever have concerns regarding the authenticity of a product purchased from us, please contact Bolo Support . We will review your inquiry promptly and, if necessary, provide documentation verifying authenticity or offer a suitable resolution.

Your trust is our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in every transaction.

All product information, including images, descriptions, and reviews, is provided by third-party vendors. bolo.bh is not responsible for any claims, promotions, or representations made within product content or images. For more accurate or detailed product information, please contact the manufacturer directly or reach out to Bolo Support.

Unless otherwise stated during checkout, all prices displayed on the product page include applicable taxes and import duties.

bolo.bh operates in accordance with the laws and regulations of Bahrain. Any items found to be restricted or prohibited for sale within the UAE will be cancelled prior to shipment. We take proactive measures to ensure that only products permitted for sale in Bahrain are listed on our website.

All items are shipped by air, and any products classified as “Dangerous Goods (DG)” under IATA regulations will be removed from the order and cancelled.

All orders are processed manually, and we make every effort to process them promptly once confirmed. Products cancelled due to the above reasons will be permanently removed from listings across the website.

Description:

2025 NCTE Notable Verse Novel

High Plains Book Award Winner

“Intensely readable.” —School Library Journal (starred review)

When her unconventional parents finally agree to settle down in one place, twelve-year-old Cayenne’s dreams come true—but the reality of fitting in is much harder than she imagined. Acclaimed author Jessica Vitalis crafts an unforgettable historical novel-in-verse about belonging, family, and social class, for fans of Lisa Fipps’s Starfish and Jasmine Warga’s Other Words for Home.

As Cayenne enters seventh grade, her parents decide it's time to stop living in their van, roaming from place to place. Cayenne hopes that this means she will finally belong somewhere and make some friends. But it turns out that staying in one place isn’t easy at all.

When her social studies class studies the Titanic tragedy (the wreckage has just been discovered and her teacher is obsessed), Cayenne sees more and more parallels between the social strata of the infamous ship and her own life. Will she ever squeeze her way into the popular girls’ clique, even though they live in fancy houses on the hill and she lives in a tiny, rundown home with chickens in the front yard? Is it possible that the boy she likes actually likes her back? Can she find a way to make room for herself in this town? Does she really want to? Maybe being “normal” isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

Set in the mid-1980s, this literary novel is for readers of Megan E. Freeman’s Alone and Erin Entrada Kelly’s We Dream of Space

Review:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous novel in verse!

e. · November 7, 2024

I was lucky to read Unsinkable Cayenne, a novel in verse that showcases Jessica Vitalis's skill as a wordsmith. Much like a surgeon wielding tools—every word is carefully placed. This historical novel-in-verse is about belonging, family, and social class. Vitalis, an award-winning author, makes all her works a true joy to read. Vitalis's crisp storytelling invites you to spend time in Cayenne’s 1980's world, where fitting in is as challenging as navigating the social ranks on the Titanic. Releasing in October! Highly recommend!

5.0 out of 5 stars Skillfully written, thoroughly engaging

T.C.R. · November 9, 2024

UNSINKABLE CAYENNE, by Jessica Vitalis, is skillfully written, well-paced, and thoroughly engaging. The story is unique in that it is a historical novel in blank verse.The wreckage of the Titanic was found September 1, 1985, and Cayenne finds her teacher “obsessed” with the long-sunken luxury liner. Mr. Hartley has devised lessons around the theme across the seventh grade curriculum.Classroom learning is new to Cayenne. The twelve-year-old has been homeschooled by her mother. Home was an old van. Cayenne’s family now lives in a small town in Montana and, for the first time in her life, a real house.Cayenne is the oldest child in an unquestionably loving but markedly unique family. Her mother unselfconsciously dances barefoot by campfire light, her presence emanating patchouli. Her father is impacted by his service during a war that sizzled and boiled in shadowed jungles and, on the home front, in news reports. He often smells of cannabis. These factors complicate Cayenne’s deeply felt quest to finally fit in.And the Titanic? While initially Cayenne was only mildly interested during lessons centered on the doomed ship, she begins to see how its voyage, its fate, echo conditions in life:“1,317 ticketed passengers were on board the Titanic.324 first class, 62% survived284 second class, 42% survived709 third class, 26% survived“I don’t understandI don’t understand whyI don’t understand why the amount of moneysomeone has determines how much they are worth.”~ ~ ~While recommended for readers eight through twelve, UNSINKABLE CAYENNE is relatable and would be enjoyed by adult readers also. Highly recommended. Five stars.

5.0 out of 5 stars Will touch young readers’ hearts!

K. · October 31, 2024

A beautiful novel that tenderly explores questions of class, of family loyalty, and of the very relatable desire to fit in with the crowd. Drawing upon the historical context of the discovery of the Titanic wreckage in the 1980s, Jessica Vitalis' UNSINKABLE CAYENNE poignantly addresses poverty from a child's eye view. Cayenne's internal conflict and her wish to belong will resonate with and touch the hearts of so many young readers.

5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely, Lyrical, and True to Life

P. · November 5, 2024

I love that this book paints a picture of a real family. Though the family is flawed, like all families, they are in this thing called life together. They face real problems, and Cayenne, the bird-lover, finds ways to soar despite the challenges she faces. The book is gorgeous, with illustrations of little birds soaring across the pages, which reminding us of one of the books central themes: if we find the resolve to be unsinkable, we just might fly.

5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn’t put it down

J. · November 5, 2024

Another amazing book written by Jessica Vitalis. This one, in particular, brought me to tears!

5.0 out of 5 stars A heartwarming story about family, moving, and the desire to fit in

P. · September 9, 2025

I loved this book! It’s a heartwarming story about family, moving, and the desire to fit in. Cayenne’s family lives a nomadic life in a van, traveling from place to place, while her heart yearns for a stable home. When her dad finds a job, it feels like her dreams might finally come true. Written in beautiful verse, this story tugs at your heartstrings and explores the meaning of family, friendship, and discovering your own worth.

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Novel in Verse

S.A. · September 1, 2025

I loved Cayenne as the main character navigating middle school life in 1985, as her family tries to "settle" down and live in one place after living in several places in their van. Told as a novel in verse. Beautiful.

4.0 out of 5 stars Makes the Titanic relevant to today's middle schoolers

4. · November 1, 2024

4.5 stars to Vitalis for this engaging verse novel about Cayenne, a new 7th grader who just wants to fit in at school after leaving a nomadic life to settle with her family in a small Montana town in 1985. Cayenne's family is poor and her parents (including her pot-smoking dad) are hippies, but she wants to be like the rich popular kids when she starts a new school. She has a crush on the new boy and tries to navigate friendships, but her family is dealing with a lot with as low as their income is. When her history teacher shares the statistics on the survival rates of the first-, second-, and third-class passengers on the Titanic, Cayenne starts to feel like a third-class passenger floundering in a first-class world. She's a believable middle schooler that readers will identify with and cheer for.My students love verse novels, and I will probably add this to my shelves, but as a teacher in a Christian school, there may be a couple of concerns for others with a similar population: (1) a minor character at the end is referenced as having two moms, and (2) the author's note places Darwinism over creation theory in trying to settle the chicken vs. the egg debate. The fact that the dad's marijuana habit is illegal is handled appropriately, but the other two minor items keep it off my 5-star list for other teachers in Christian schools.

Gorgeous and powerful novel in verse

M.F.S. · May 23, 2025

What a beautiful story, well told. Jessica uses verse to tell a tale about Cayenne’s confronting the unfair societal divides between the haves and the have nots. It’s an uncommon theme in kidlit brought to life through Cayenne’s experiences, interwoven with the vivid and effective metaphor of the Titanic. Jessica paints an evocative and relatable narrative that will resonate with any child, allowing them to empathize or see themselves in Cayenne’s journey. Readers will cheer for Cayenne as she navigates a new town, a new school, and the challenges of life with her wonderfully unconventional family.

Similar suggestions by Bolo

More from this brand

Similar items from “1900s”