The Sea Unicorn

April 2, 2021

Gr 1-3-When three friends band together to solve mysteries under the sea, anything can happen-including defeating an evil siren and rescuing golden pearls. Layla, Grace, and Emily are back for their second adventure after meeting a mermaid princess named Marina. Given magic shell bracelets that glow when it's time for their undertaking, the girls are working on a project when called to the freezing Arctic mermaid kingdom. The Ice Palace Animal Sanctuary, which provides safe harbor for Arctic animals, is in danger of melting, and the nefarious siren Effluvia has attacked the palace with a bewitched orca. Complicating the plan is a narwhal under Effluvia's influence. Can the girls find the golden pearl before Effluvia does and rescue the Ice Palace from global warming and Effluvia's hold? A diverse cast includes two characters of color and one character with a disability, while the main focus of the book is a magical tale that underpins a realistic lesson-in this case, global warming and its ill effects. A brief appendix is provided that underscores pragmatic tips on how to protect oceans. VERDICT Peppered throughout with illustrations, this easy chapter book provides an action-packed fantasy journey with an important message woven in.-Amanda C. Buschmann, Carroll Elem. Sch., Houston

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