Real Mermaids Don't Need High Heels

January 1, 2013
The adventures of a part-time mermaid continue with more comedy and easy but suspenseful action. Jade has triumphantly escaped her hated middle school and entered glorious high school, where she hopes finally to have a normal teenage life. She already has a boyfriend of sorts, Luke, although she's too shy to ask him to the upcoming girls'-choice dance. She's excited to be in high school and determined to do better academically than she did in middle school. However, it turns out that Jade isn't the only part-time merperson in her town of Port Toulouse. A new girl, Serena, a refugee from the "freshies"--merpeople imprisoned in the nearby lake--will be attending school, and Jade's assigned to team up with her and protect her. Actually, Port Toulouse seems to be riddled with secret merpeople, and danger looms for them all at the hands of the scheming Mermish Council. Boudreau keeps tone and action light as foam, solving conundrums with happy coincidences. An underwater hockey game adds spice, as do some friendship difficulties, also easily solved. Mermish "speech," which humans can't hear, is printed in italics. Best of all, it's great to have a plus-sized heroine--with a boyfriend! Frothy fun. (Paranormal adventure. 9-13)

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June 1, 2013

Gr 5-8-Plenty of backstory is woven into this third installment about half-Mer Jade Baxter, 14, so readers need not have read the first two books to enjoy this one. Jade is relieved that her family and friends seem to finally be safe from all mermaid-related drama. She's eager to focus her attentions on a new school year and nervous about asking her crush to the fall formal. She barely has time to think about high school, however, before a new problem arises: the Mermish Council is calling all land-dwelling Mers back into the ocean. Jade leaps into action, knowing that it's up to her to get to the bottom of this mysterious decree in order to save the Webbed Ones she loves. There is more mermaid lore and science in this story than in the previous books, which should please inquisitive readers. Boudreau has created a strong, hilarious heroine who is a fantastic role model. Jade isn't perfect, but despite her mistakes, she continues to exemplify what it means to be brave, fair, and kind.-Liz Overberg, Darlington Middle School, Rome, GA

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2013
Grades 5-9 Half-mermaid, half-human Jade wishes her only worries were ninth-grade elections and asking Luke to the school dance, but when the Mermish Council invokes an ancient law that could mean losing her mom, boyfriend, and a few teachers and townsfolk, Jade springs into action to prevent the head of the council from achieving her nefarious objective. This sequel to Real Mermaids Don't Wear Toe Rings (2010) is more of the same light fare, still suffering from didactic moments but good fun and easy reading nonetheless. Also includes Luke's Five-Minute Peanut Butter Cup S'mores recipe.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)