THE MERMAID OF AMARVIN ISLAND

While missing her father, a girl discovers her own surprising secret in this middle-grade fantasy.

Young Swannie Wynstan lives near the seaside village of Nammig with her mother, Sarika. One year ago to the day, her father, Thomas, vanished on his fishing boat during a storm. Swannie plans to enjoy the day at Chepi’s Grotto, her favorite place. But near Finn’s Cove, she hears someone call, “Help me please.” To her surprise, it’s a dolphin trapped on the beach. Swannie can speak with the dolphin, whose name is Matmaka, because, as he tells her, “there is more to you than you can imagine.” After she helps him back into the water, Swannie agrees to meet Matmaka on the beach in one month. In the meantime, he sets her on a magical quest by instructing her to shout into a certain hole in the earth: “Wake up and show me the Golden Secret.” Swannie meets a series of elemental beings, including the Fay of the Big Mist, who leads her to a special coin with a snake wrapped around it. Later, after waking up on the beach, Swannie wonders if her adventures were real. Back in school, she befriends a girl named Feliciana, who has cancer. When Swannie reunites with Matmaka, she discovers a secret ability that may help heal her own life and the lives of those around her. Eric G. Müller’s middle-grade fantasy gives audiences, regardless of age, a wider view of the world. Swannie’s quest eventually takes her to an intriguing place called Amarvin Island. The elaborate narrative unfolds in hypnotic layers, frequently depicting ways to aid the environment, such as collecting beach trash. Exceptional twists keep the story engaging even after dramatic peaks. Younger readers will adore characters like Skwee and Skew, talking squirrels who later, along with the entire cast, become integral to the plot. The author’s exceptional central theme, that environmental protection is a holistic effort that requires everyone’s participation, arrives in the line “Whatever happens to Amarvin happens to the rest of the world.” Friendship, loyalty, and dedication sweeten the final passages. Black-and-white illustrations by Martina A. Müller are gorgeous and evocative.

A remarkable fantasy that features life-affirming themes for both kids and adults.