Battle of the Best Friends

Mermaid Tales #2

by Debbie Dadey, Tatevik Avakyan (Illustrator)

In this splashy new Mermaid Tale, a megapopular boy band is set to perform at an undersea celebration—but what if a mean girl keeps Shelly from joining in the fun?

Echo, Shelly Siren’s best friend, is doing tail flips because she’s going to see the hottest boy band around—The Rays! It’s her classmate Pearl’s birthday, and the Rays are going to perform at her exclusive party. Troublemaker Pearl has invited just about everyone—everyone, that is, except Shelly! Shelly urges Echo to go anyway, but Echo doesn’t want to leave her friend out of the exciting celebration…so Shelly hatches a plan to make sure Echo sees her favorite group. And when the Rays do come to town (amidst plenty of under-the-sea, boy band drama), Echo returns the favor so that Shelly is included in the festivities—in the most unexpected of ways!

Genres: Chapter Books, Fantasy, Mermaids, Childrens, Fiction, Middle Grade, Magic

112 pages, Hardcover

Published May 8, 2012

About the author

Debbie Dadey is the author and co-author of 162 books for children, including the Mermaid Tales series from Simon and Schuster and the beloved Adventures of The Bailey School Kids from Scholastic. Ms. Dadey is a former teacher and librarian. Please like her at Facebook.com/debbiedadey.

Reviews

[Ryn Lewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pearl is throwing a party, with the biggest boy band under the ocean on the agenda for the evening. Everyone's excited, including Echo, but Pearl hasn't invited Shelly to the party. Shelly doesn't want her friend to miss out on all the fun for her sake, so she comes up with a plan: to NOT be friends with Echo. Then Echo can go to the party without feeling bad and maybe they can work things out later. Shelly will throw her own party for all the kids who weren't invited. But then things take a surprising turn when one of the singers for the band comes up sick. It looks like no one's going to hear the Rays sing at all.

This second story in the series is a bit stronger than the last one. Characters, particularly Pearl, are still one-dimensional and inexplicably obnoxious, and the writing still demonstrates some choppiness and overly convenient solutions. However the story had a simpler plot that flowed a little better and made more sense than readers saw in Trouble at Trident Academy. Vocabulary seems to have been scaled back slightly as well, which will help younger readers. Back matter contains student projects and glossary.

[Madamemoiselle DuFarge · Rating 5 out of 5]

at pearls birthday, she invited everyone in trident academy but shelly. echo wanted to go to the party,
because the rays were there.it was at big rock cafe. not only echo wanted to go to the party, she also
wanted to have Shelly at the party. She works so hard Shelly came to the party. Shelly got to sing at the party. At first Pearl said she couldn't come but she came and sang.

[jada ★ · Rating 2 out of 5]

needed some inner child time so i read this :)

[Maryann Kasouha]

The book Mermaid Tales by Debbie Dadey Battle of the Best Friends is a suspenseful book where two best friends Echo and Shelly stop being friends because Shelly is saying that she doesn’t want a friend who doesn’t pay attention at school, in Trident Academy. On Echo’s Tail Flipper’s Team Tryouts, she sees Shelly, or at least she thinks she does. After hearing from Kiki, another friend, Echo figures out that Shelly had been pretending to be mad at her just so Echo could go to the party. The party was being hosted at the house of Pearl, where a famous band called the Rays will sing and play their music. Unfortunately, Shelly was not invited, which caused Echo to wonder whether or not she should go without her best friend being there. After making up her mind, Echo decides that she would rather have her best friend than a band. Shelly, Echo, and Nikki decide to make a sing along party or a Non-Rays party instead of going to Pearl’s Party. Little did the friends know that the Rays were at the Big Rock Cafe where the girls were going to make there party of all the guests that weren’t invited to Pearl’s Party. They said that there were missing one person of their group and they needed a girl’s voice.The band member was stung by a sea wasp and was seriously injured or poisoned and they couldn’t come until a week. Echo explains how Shelly would make a great singer, since she knew all of their songs. This means that Shelly and the rest of the uninvited guests would be able to come to Pearl’s Party as the Band Guests and for Shelly, she was now apparently part of the band, which was great now that she could go with her friends to Pearl’s Party. At the end, they had a great time at the party. I recommend this book, because there is some drama with Pearl saying to Echo that she couldn’t be Shelly’s friend if she wanted to be Pearl’s friend. Luckily, Echo makes the team, and Shelly makes the Shell Wars team. I like this book because they are many characters, with different emotions and personalities. I liked the book Mermaid Tales Battle of the Best Friends and I hope you will like it, too.

[Maryann Kasouha]

The book Mermaid Tales by Debbie Dadey Battle of the Best Friends is a suspenseful book where two best friends Echo and Shelly stop being friends because Shelly is saying that she doesn’t want a friend who doesn’t pay attention at school, in Trident Academy. On Echo’s Tail Flipper’s Team Tryouts, she sees Shelly, or at least she thinks she does. After hearing from Kiki, another friend, Echo figures out that Shelly had been pretending to be mad at her just so Echo could go to the party. The party was being hosted at the house of Pearl, where a famous band called the Rays will sing and play their music. Unfortunately, Shelly was not invited, which caused Echo to wonder whether or not she should go without her best friend being there. After making up her mind, Echo decides that she would rather have her best friend than a band. Shelly, Echo, and Nikki decide to make a sing along party or a Non-Rays party instead of going to Pearl’s Party. Little did the friends know that the Rays were at the Big Rock Cafe where the girls were going to make there party of all the guests that weren’t invited to Pearl’s Party. They said that there were missing one person of their group and they needed a girl’s voice.The band member was stung by a sea wasp and was seriously injured or poisoned and they couldn’t come until a week. Echo explains how Shelly would make a great singer, since she knew all of their songs. This means that Shelly and the rest of the uninvited guests would be able to come to Pearl’s Party as the Band Guests and for Shelly, she was now apparently part of the band, which was great now that she could go with her friends to Pearl’s Party. At the end, they had a great time at the party. I recommend this book, because there is some drama with Pearl saying to Echo that she couldn’t be Shelly’s friend if she wanted to be Pearl’s friend. Luckily, Echo makes the team, and Shelly makes the Shell Wars team. I like this book because they are many characters, with different emotions and personalities. I liked the book Mermaid Tales Battle of the Best Friends by Debbie Dadey and I hope you will like it, too.

[paige turner ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pearl is such a brat; I can't stand people, even mermaids, who are cruel for no reason.

At first, I thought it was odd how Shelly just got angry with Echo out of nowhere, but at least it tied into the story. Shelly ended up going to the party anyway, but Pearl is fake, she only wanted to be friends with Shelly after she became a "star" because she was part of the band for the night.

I feel like the story could have gone somewhere with Pearl copying Echo's homework, but it didn't, and it was a huge let down because Pearl should really get what's coming to her, one way or another because it just seems like everyone lets her rotten attitude slide because her family is apparently wealthy.

It is a good story about friendship and knowing who your real friends are and how you shouldn't hate someone because someone else hates them. Shelly was supportive of Echo's friendship with Pearl even though Pearl hates Shelly, but then Pearl told Echo if she wants to be her friend then she can't be friends with Shelly.

Ridiculous.

But it was still a nice little lesson to talk about with my daughter.

[Dawn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did not like this at all. Would not recommend. There are plenty of other mermaids and sparkles books out there that are much better.
Pearl won't invite Shelley to her birthday party, so Echo decides not to go either. Then Shelley pretends she is mad at Echo so that Echo will go to the party and get to meet her favorite boy band. But Echo decides to chill with Shelley anyway, and then they meet the boyband. Conveniently, the boyband's singer is sick, so Echo volunteers Shelley to sing in her place. Then everyone goes to the party. Pearl is mad but everyone else is happy.

[Elizabeth Moreau Nicolai · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite beginning chapter book style (too formulaic, to much the same as everything). It's basically a school/friendship tale but all the characters are mermaids. Substitute in "swam" for "walked" and you get the idea. A few really cute uses of the mermaid setting, but not as many as there could have been.

There are some nice added features - the reports the kids wrote in school, a glossary with some ocean facts, etc.

Popular in m library.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another short chapter book in the series, this time with a conflict about which of the mergirls might be invited to Pearl's birthday party; when Shelley isn't invited, she ends up filling in for an ill singer from the famous band, the Rays. Pearl begrudgingly lets her in the door, but the other girls realize that the true nature of friendship doesn't revolve around fancy parties or pop stars. Young elementary readers will learn about friends, self-confidence, and resolving conflicts.

[Jacquie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter us loving this series. These have been great books to read together when short on time. Also enjoyed the story of friendship that goes along with it.

[Bella Starr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Again, this book is great for younger readers. I am older, so it's not as interesting for me. This rating is probably because I am reading when I am 14, even though it's for third graders.

[Twisted Cinderella · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was about friendship and no matter what friends means the world to them. Always stick up for your friends and have their back.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give this book 3 and half stars. My favorite part was when Shelly sang with the band called The Rays. I liked the ending, too.

[Ashley S.]

WG library summer 2022 reading program

[Adrienne Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 6 year old loves this book series and, in this book, she liked how Echo chose her true friend to spend time with.

[Amanda Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lindy gives this book infinity stars.

[Serika · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was a battle about something with Echo and Shelly.

[Brittany Aldridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the plot better in book 2. My 4yr old daughter was obsessed with getting to learn more about Echo.

[Corrin V · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story about friendship in 3rd grade. Two friends have a disagreement and navigate making up. Themes involving kindness and how real friends act and treat each other.

[Stacy Renee (LazyDayLit) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Children's
Fantasy / Mermaids

The second book in the Mermaid Tales series by Debbie Dadey.

Read to my 9yo.

[Jeffrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very standard kids' book with a good message.

[Mehsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Squee this was quite adorable! Boybands, friendship, parties, mean girls (but thankfully our girls will stand up against those), mermaids, and much more. I was definitely delighted with this one, I will be reading the other books when I have time. The illustrations are also adorable. <3

[Jahzara Bandele · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝕀 𝕝𝕠𝕧𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕓𝕠𝕠𝕜 𝕚𝕝𝕝 𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕖 𝕚𝕥 𝟝 𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕤💙💜💚🧜🏽‍♀️

[Hannah F · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book because it was funny. I would think this is for lower elementary. If you like books made by Debbie Dadey you will like this book because it is a Debbie Dadey book.

[Celeste Vandiver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the book I would recommend this to anyone who love mermaid and fantasy books loved it.

[JusMe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute read about friendship and ocean life. The Authors Note and Glossary make beautiful additions to the book, teaching kids about amazing ocean life.

"You will never make it with that attitude. You have to be confident."

"The three of us are best friends, and that makes us winners.....Winners every time."

"Maybe one day, explorers will find a mermaid band deep on the ocean floor."

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute book. I'd recommend it for school-age kids, as it has a decent moral lesson about being nice to others, and has some neat "bonus features" like a glossary in the back on marine life discussed in the book and samples of the character's homework assignments that they had to do during the course of the story.

[Typing Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

its a good read. i recommend this for ages 7 and up my favorite part was when pearl through a party and Shelly got to sing with the Rays it was awesome . my favorite charterers are Shelly siren and Echo
reef i think that this is a real nice book it is full of adventure and other thing like that i recommend you read it soon!!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

My daughter has been enjoying this series. She's 6 1/2 and this is her first chapter book series that she felt motivated enough to read on her own. She seems to be enjoying it and likes the continued mystery thread of the bad guys.

[Jenne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this to my 5 year old daughter because she is obsessed with mermaids but I don't think it is really appropriate for her age as it was about a boy band coming to someone's party. Also the mermaids were mean to each other, which is not something I want her to learn.