2012
WISE Score
A mermaid's Arctic adventure that manages to be way more exciting than your average middle-school geography lesson.
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If your kid is into mermaids, magic, or just solid adventure stories, this is a winner. It’s the kind of book that actually gets them to put the iPad down because they want to know what happens next.
It’s not trying to be 'deep' literature, but it respects its audience and handles themes of friendship and courage better than most of the junk on Netflix. If they've read the first four, this is a no-brainer. If they haven't, start at book one.
This is the sweet spot for 8-12 year olds. It's sophisticated enough to not feel like a 'baby book' but clean enough that you don't have to pre-read it for red flags.
The series consistently models strong friendships and family bonds. Emily deals with being caught between two worlds (human and mermaid) with grace and a healthy sense of self.
The Arctic setting adds a fresh layer to the established mermaid lore. Kessler builds a vivid world that encourages kids to think about what's hidden beneath the waves.
It's a middle-grade book from a reputable publisher. There is some mild peril and 'bad guy' tension, but nothing that would cause a nightmare or require a trigger warning.
Good for building empathy and exploring themes of identity. It's not 'educational' in a dry way, but it gets kids reading and thinking about environmental settings like the Arctic.
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