Mermaid Park

September 1, 2005
Gr 7-10 -Amy is not looking forward to a three-day vacation with her family at the Jersey shore, visiting her mother's godmother, Lynne, who owns a motel. The last thing the 16-year-old wants is be stuck with her mother, with whom she has been fighting; her difficult stepfather, who picks on her; her pretty younger sister; and her sister's friend. But when they arrive, she instantly connects with Dylan, a local boy who does odd jobs for Lynne, and discovers Mermaid Park, an underwater spectacular that features teenage girls in mermaid costumes. Amy then stays for the rest of the summer without her family and vows to become one of those swimmers. Mayall realistically portrays a conflicted teen who thinks that the world is out to get her. Readers will identify with her struggle to find herself, relate to others, and get over her fears in the 36-foot-deep tank. The other characters, including a beautiful friend, a grumpy boss, and a jilted boy, are believable as well. The interactions between Amy and her mother are painfully realistic, which makes the surprise ending concerning the girl's parentage even more meaningful. This is a good read that deals with real growing-up issues." -Carly B. Wiskoff, Great Neck Library, NY"

Copyright 2005 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 1, 2005
Gr. 8-11. Fed up with her bullying stepfather and her own anger, 16-year-old Amy has miraculously received permission to spend the summer with a family friend, Lynne, who owns a seaside motel on the Jersey shore. Searching for work, she finds herself powerfully drawn to Mermaid Park, a fading tourist attraction with an underwater show. She talks her way into a cleaning job, and she imagines joining the girls costumed as mermaids, who perform underwater for the park audience. As the summer passes, she realizes her dream, meets a guy, and unravels astonishing secrets about her family. A few of the peripheral characters feel a bit like caricatures, particularly Amy's harassing stepfather. But Mayall deepens what could have been a routine novel with an evocative setting, magic, and authentically drawn Amy, who narrates in easy, compelling prose. Teens will easily connect with the story about young people learning who they are and how to grow past the faults they find in themselves and others.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2005, American Library Association.)