by Shirley G. Perry-Church ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 26, 2015
A fun, exciting underwater romp.
Awards & Accolades
Our Verdict
GET IT
Mermaid glamour meets action and suspense in Perry-Church’s vividly imagined debut fantasy book for children.
Nestled deep in an ancient ocean, the kingdom of Merland is a formidable and beautiful place in which to grow up. It’s also the home of two mermaids named Shimmer and StarFire, as well as their tag-along little sister, SeaStar. After their mother’s death in a shark attack, they’re a little wary of wandering alone. However, the tantalizing promise of a magic pearl lures them out on a treasure hunt in the open sea, where they’re sure to find both danger and adventure. On their hunt, they encounter deadly sharks, witness shocking transformations, and make incredible discoveries. Along the way, one of the mermaids also finds a surprising source of strength. The story is set against the backdrop of a richly imagined undersea kingdom; for example, the author details the dangers of Merland as well as some of its strange, magical elements. However, the story also offers plenty that young readers will relate to, including bossy older siblings and struggles with self-image and self-esteem. The book touches on deeper issues of loss and grief, and handles the death of the young mermaids’ mother with sensitivity and tact. The timid, awkward-looking SeaStar is an endearingly unlikely heroine, and readers will be surprised and delighted to see their experiences reflected in hers. With its glossary and several pages of mermaid-related information, this book is classroom-ready, as well as a worthy bedtime tale. Some members of the book’s target audience may find that its large amount of text and somewhat advanced vocabulary (“she had a streamlined figure with pronounced human features”) make it a challenging independent read. However, it promises to enchant many others with its equal measures of magic, warmth, and thrills.
A fun, exciting underwater romp.Pub Date: Jan. 26, 2015
ISBN: 978-1480814813
Page Count: 60
Publisher: Archway Publishing
Review Posted Online: April 23, 2015
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Share your opinion of this book
by Andrew Clements & illustrated by Brian Selznick ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 1996
With comically realistic black-and-white illustrations by Selznick (The Robot King, 1995, etc.), this is a captivating...
Nicholas is a bright boy who likes to make trouble at school, creatively.
When he decides to torment his fifth-grade English teacher, Mrs. Granger (who is just as smart as he is), by getting everyone in the class to replace the word "pen'' with "frindle,'' he unleashes a series of events that rapidly spins out of control. If there's any justice in the world, Clements (Temple Cat, 1995, etc.) may have something of a classic on his hands. By turns amusing and adroit, this first novel is also utterly satisfying. The chess-like sparring between the gifted Nicholas and his crafty teacher is enthralling, while Mrs. Granger is that rarest of the breed: a teacher the children fear and complain about for the school year, and love and respect forever after.
With comically realistic black-and-white illustrations by Selznick (The Robot King, 1995, etc.), this is a captivating tale—one to press upon children, and one they'll be passing among themselves. (Fiction. 8-12)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1996
ISBN: 0-689-80669-8
Page Count: 105
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 1996
Share your opinion of this book
More by Andrew Clements
BOOK REVIEW
by Andrew Clements ; illustrated by Brian Selznick
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
by Monalisa DeGross & illustrated by Cheryl Hanna ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 30, 1994
Donavan's friends collect buttons and marbles, but he collects words. ``NUTRITION,'' ``BALLYHOO,'' ``ABRACADABRA''—these and other words are safely stored on slips of paper in a jar. As it fills, Donavan sees a storage problem developing and, after soliciting advice from his teacher and family, solves it himself: Visiting his grandma at a senior citizens' apartment house, he settles a tenants' argument by pulling the word ``COMPROMISE'' from his jar and, feeling ``as if the sun had come out inside him,'' discovers the satisfaction of giving his words away. Appealingly detailed b&w illustrations depict Donavan and his grandma as African-Americans. This Baltimore librarian's first book is sure to whet readers' appetites for words, and may even start them on their own savory collections. (Fiction. 8-11)
Pub Date: June 30, 1994
ISBN: 0-06-020190-8
Page Count: 72
Publisher: HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 1994
Share your opinion of this book
More by Monalisa DeGross
BOOK REVIEW
by Monalisa DeGross & illustrated by Amy Bates
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Hey there, book lover.
We’re glad you found a book that interests you!
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Trouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Trouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Don’t fret. We’ll find you.