Coral

October 25, 2019

Gr 8 Up-Coral is a mermaid princess who has been infected with the Disease-emotions. She's terrified it will be the end of her the same way it threatens her oldest sister, the Crown Princess. On land, Brooke is at a treatment facility for depression and anxiety. At Fathoms she meets Hope, a younger patient, who touches Brooke's heart but has problems of her own. Meanwhile, Merrick, a member of the San Francisco upper crust, can't wait to escape from his domineering dad. When his little sister Amaya attempts suicide, it gives him the excuse he needs to break free. The three story lines feel rather disjointed at first and the pace is slow to start, but the book is worth the wait. The second half is a powerful look at mental health that can, at times, be difficult to read. However, the author treats the topic with sensitivity. This is not a typical fairy-tale retelling by any stretch, but who said life is a fairy tale? VERDICT Recommended where the author's other works are popular, or titles on mental health are heavily read.-Heather Webb, Worthington Libraries, OH

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

This hauntingly beautiful retelling of "The Little Mermaid" is smoothly narrated by Jennifer Jill Araya and Mark Turetsky. Transitioning between two characters--Brooke, a human who suffers from depression, and Coral, a mermaid--Araya seamlessly delivers an outstanding performance with strong character differentiation. Turetsky portrays Merrick, playing up his golden boy personality to perfection. The narrators' sensitive deliveries allow listeners to sympathize with the principals and their unique dissatisfactions in life. Araya, in particular, does a fantastic job of depicting the story's mental health issues. Although these depictions may trigger memories of trauma for some listeners, the gentle narrations ease the pain and help to build the story. Both narrators make this audiobook a gem. J.O. � AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine