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Real Mermaids #3
Real Mermaids Don't Need High Heels
The only thing that terrifies Jade more than the ocean is dancing at the Fall Formal. Because Jade has two left feet—er, flippers. Who knew being a high school freshman is even more awkward than being a plus-size aqua-phobic mer-girl? At least her only drama is of the human variety...
Or not.
The Mermish Council has just declared that all land-dwelling mers but return to the ocean. Pronto. But there's no way Jade is going to let her mom, or Luke, her...boyfriend? mer-guy-friend?, disappear into the deep, dark ocean. Again. After all, a girl's got to have a date to her first dance.
If Jade can stop mer-mageddon, finding a plus-size dress that doesn't look like a shower curtain should be a piece of cake.
Or not.
The Mermish Council has just declared that all land-dwelling mers but return to the ocean. Pronto. But there's no way Jade is going to let her mom, or Luke, her...boyfriend? mer-guy-friend?, disappear into the deep, dark ocean. Again. After all, a girl's got to have a date to her first dance.
If Jade can stop mer-mageddon, finding a plus-size dress that doesn't look like a shower curtain should be a piece of cake.
240 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2013
44 people are currently reading
1257 people want to read
About the author
Helene Boudreau
22 books252 followersHélène Boudreau writes fiction and non-fiction for children and young adults. She is also a compulsive walker, a chicklet wrangler and a lover of cheese and cheap chocolate.
Her tween novel REAL MERMAIDS DON'T WEAR TOE RINGS is a 2011 Crystal Kite Member Choice Award Finalist.
Her tween novel REAL MERMAIDS DON'T WEAR TOE RINGS is a 2011 Crystal Kite Member Choice Award Finalist.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
March 18, 2017
I like this author, or, I should say I like this series, since it's the only thing I've read by Hélène Boudreau. Just saying, though, I don't know how long it's been since the author was in middle school or high school, but things have definitely changed since then. There's no "armpit farting" in middle school!!! But anyway, this author has definitely succeeded in taking cringey to a whole new level. This book is like the definition of cringey!!!
Other than the cringe and the inaccurate take on middle schools, this series is actually pretty decent. I like the mermaids and the fact that it has minor amount of clean romance. This series is cute and I can't wait to read the last book!
Other than the cringe and the inaccurate take on middle schools, this series is actually pretty decent. I like the mermaids and the fact that it has minor amount of clean romance. This series is cute and I can't wait to read the last book!
February 27, 2013
Three stars: A fun book for tweens with some great positive messages.
Jade is excited to start high school after her harrowing summer. At last, she can relax and enjoy her new boyfriend, Luke. However, the first day of school brings plenty of surprises. The biggest is that Selena is back and she is enrolled in school. It is Jade's responsibility to help her fit in, no easy task to get a teenage mermaid who barely speaks English situated in school. Then Jade and her family learn that the Mermish Council is up to no good as they are commanding all the mermaids on land to return to the water, like it or not. Jade is discouraged that she might stand to lose her mother and family after everything she went through to keep them together. Can Jade somehow find a way to save her family and manage to be an ordinary teenager?
What I Liked:
*First, I am not the target audience so even though this was a three star read for me, I can highly recommend it for tweens. This book follows Jade a fourteen year old teenage girl who just happens to be half mermaid, not only is Jade part fish, but she is also plus sized. I was excited to see a female protagonist with some curves. Let's face it, we all can't be skinny size zero. I enjoyed that Jade was, for the most part, confident and happy thanks to her loving family and spectacular friends, including her boyfriend, Luke. Sure, she is a bit self conscious about her body image, especially when it comes to going to the dance, but what girl isn't concerned about her appearance? I loved that Jade shows these flaws and fears, it makes her a likeable character that will appeal to the younger crowd.
*I was especially pleased that this book was well suited for the younger adults, more for tweens and upper middle graders, not that it can't be enjoyed by older teens, but the target audience is definitely the younger teens. The romance is sweet and clean, the friendships real, and the plot and conflicts are easy to follow. I picked this series up with book three, and didn't have a hard time following what was going on as the author does a great job of filling in the back story. What I liked the most was that this book had plenty of positive messages. I appreciated how it showed that not everything can easily be categorized into good and bad, and how you may not get along with someone just because you don't see eye to eye, but that can change with a little effort. I also liked the emphasis on the importance of family and friends. All in all, this was a upbeat book that I can enthusiastically recommend for younger adults.
*I enjoyed the way that Jade ended up coming to a new understanding with a girl who had previously been her rival. It is always nice to see a former mean girl change her colors and that was the case with this book. Don't worry, she really isn't a horrible mean girl, I am never a fan of mean girls, and Lainey is difficult but not a bully or cruel.
And The Not So Much:
*One small criticism I had was that I did not like Selena. First, I was not completely filled in on her whole back story so that may have played into why I didn't connect with her. Second, she is a mergirl who is thrust into school and she can barely speak English. Her language skills are childish and she is very immature. I had a hard time believing that she could even manage to go to school with her limitations, granted I am not the target audience so while I did not like this character, a younger reader may think she is great.
*I wish there was a bit more on the romance with Luke and Jade. Not that I needed fiery kisses or anything along those lines, but it appeared that he brought out the best in Jade and helped her to feel more confident. Unfortunately, the two don't spend a lot of time together in this book. Again, this probably isn't an issue for a younger reader.
*Finally, one of the main conflicts in this book was that the mermaids who were now land dwellers did not have appropriate identities and documentations, so technically they couldn't marry or even enroll in school. This was a bit of an issue because we all know it isn't that difficult to get paperwork. Really a minor complaint and it won't bother the target audience.
Real Mermaids Don't Wear High Heels is a fun little book with positive messages for the younger reader. I appreciated that it was a good, quick read and age appropriate. I especially liked that Jade is a bit curvy and not rail thin, and she is learning to be more confident in her own skin. She is a great role model for the younger crowd. If you have an older middle grader or a tween reader, I think this is a great series to introduce to them. You can hand it to your young reader with confidence as it is clean and sweet.
Favorite Quotations:
"I think we're all just trying to do our best." I added. "Then someone comes along to show us how we can do better."
"This boyfriend-girlfriend stuff was so complicated."
"It's easy to make friends when you have something they want."
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
Jade is excited to start high school after her harrowing summer. At last, she can relax and enjoy her new boyfriend, Luke. However, the first day of school brings plenty of surprises. The biggest is that Selena is back and she is enrolled in school. It is Jade's responsibility to help her fit in, no easy task to get a teenage mermaid who barely speaks English situated in school. Then Jade and her family learn that the Mermish Council is up to no good as they are commanding all the mermaids on land to return to the water, like it or not. Jade is discouraged that she might stand to lose her mother and family after everything she went through to keep them together. Can Jade somehow find a way to save her family and manage to be an ordinary teenager?
What I Liked:
*First, I am not the target audience so even though this was a three star read for me, I can highly recommend it for tweens. This book follows Jade a fourteen year old teenage girl who just happens to be half mermaid, not only is Jade part fish, but she is also plus sized. I was excited to see a female protagonist with some curves. Let's face it, we all can't be skinny size zero. I enjoyed that Jade was, for the most part, confident and happy thanks to her loving family and spectacular friends, including her boyfriend, Luke. Sure, she is a bit self conscious about her body image, especially when it comes to going to the dance, but what girl isn't concerned about her appearance? I loved that Jade shows these flaws and fears, it makes her a likeable character that will appeal to the younger crowd.
*I was especially pleased that this book was well suited for the younger adults, more for tweens and upper middle graders, not that it can't be enjoyed by older teens, but the target audience is definitely the younger teens. The romance is sweet and clean, the friendships real, and the plot and conflicts are easy to follow. I picked this series up with book three, and didn't have a hard time following what was going on as the author does a great job of filling in the back story. What I liked the most was that this book had plenty of positive messages. I appreciated how it showed that not everything can easily be categorized into good and bad, and how you may not get along with someone just because you don't see eye to eye, but that can change with a little effort. I also liked the emphasis on the importance of family and friends. All in all, this was a upbeat book that I can enthusiastically recommend for younger adults.
*I enjoyed the way that Jade ended up coming to a new understanding with a girl who had previously been her rival. It is always nice to see a former mean girl change her colors and that was the case with this book. Don't worry, she really isn't a horrible mean girl, I am never a fan of mean girls, and Lainey is difficult but not a bully or cruel.
And The Not So Much:
*One small criticism I had was that I did not like Selena. First, I was not completely filled in on her whole back story so that may have played into why I didn't connect with her. Second, she is a mergirl who is thrust into school and she can barely speak English. Her language skills are childish and she is very immature. I had a hard time believing that she could even manage to go to school with her limitations, granted I am not the target audience so while I did not like this character, a younger reader may think she is great.
*I wish there was a bit more on the romance with Luke and Jade. Not that I needed fiery kisses or anything along those lines, but it appeared that he brought out the best in Jade and helped her to feel more confident. Unfortunately, the two don't spend a lot of time together in this book. Again, this probably isn't an issue for a younger reader.
*Finally, one of the main conflicts in this book was that the mermaids who were now land dwellers did not have appropriate identities and documentations, so technically they couldn't marry or even enroll in school. This was a bit of an issue because we all know it isn't that difficult to get paperwork. Really a minor complaint and it won't bother the target audience.
Real Mermaids Don't Wear High Heels is a fun little book with positive messages for the younger reader. I appreciated that it was a good, quick read and age appropriate. I especially liked that Jade is a bit curvy and not rail thin, and she is learning to be more confident in her own skin. She is a great role model for the younger crowd. If you have an older middle grader or a tween reader, I think this is a great series to introduce to them. You can hand it to your young reader with confidence as it is clean and sweet.
Favorite Quotations:
"I think we're all just trying to do our best." I added. "Then someone comes along to show us how we can do better."
"This boyfriend-girlfriend stuff was so complicated."
"It's easy to make friends when you have something they want."
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
February 26, 2015
cant wait
June 3, 2018
This book was super cute and funny but as always the writing wasn't up to much.
Read
March 2, 2013I've said it not once, not twice, but three times now. The Real Mermaids series is a breath of fun, sweet, humorous fun as we follow half-human, half-mer girl Jade through the trials and tribulations of growing up in a world she never envisioned. This series is full of so many firsts, and REAL MERMAIDS DON'T NEED HIGH HEELS is no exception. Jade is entering high school for the first time. She finally has a boyfriend...she thinks. And she's been reunited with her long-lost mother! What could go wrong?
Only the fact that Jade is put into the eighth-ninth grade split homeroom. She has to return to the middle school wing every day, while her best friend Cori and now-actual boyfriend Luke get to be in the cooler ninth-tenth grade split. Instead, she's in a homeroom with burping, smelly, immature boys, the evil Lainey and, surprise, surprise, Serena, who is still adjusting to her own life on two legs. There's also a fall dance looming where the girls ask the guys, and since Luke is her boyfriend now, that means she's expected to ask him, right? Even though they haven't been on a real date yet and she doesn't even want to go in the first place? And as if she needs even more to worry about, a supermoon is coming, and the Mermish Council wants to invoke Tidal Law to recall all land-walking merfolk to the sea to quell rumors that webbed one (landwalkers) exist and stop a revolution before it can begin. Jade's only just gotten her mother back. There's no way she's losing her again!
Hélène Boudreau continues to balance the awkward pains of growing up for a girl split between two worlds, tying the two together in a fun, fresh way. Comparing this series to Liz Kessler's Emily Windsnap series (I've previously reviewed one of the books and interviewed Kessler), I love the lore and mythology better in Emily Windsnap, but I adore the humor/tone and extra level of maturity in Real Mermaids more. Both are great series, albeit for slightly different age demographics despite the fact that two half-mer girls are roughly the same age. Boudreau creates unique mermaid lore in RMDNHH in a way she hasn't in previous books, pairing a mer-revolution with the coming of a supermoon. Merfolk can't escape the calling of Tidal Law, and it's intriguing to see the unique ways the webbed ones are being effected as they attempt to resist the call. The way the supermoon's appearances changes everyone emotionally despite the fact that they prep a special room to hide out in reminds me of a fun TV series I started watching last summer, H2O: Just Add Water. The girls constantly had to have sleepovers and find new ways to hide from the moon because if they caught its reflection, they instantly changed. At the same time, the situation is wholly different; it's just a fun comparison in my brain.
Readers will have no problem picking up this book in the series--or even starting with it--because again, Boudreau does an adequate job summing up the past, albeit with fewer details now. There are also more characters and motivations to balance now, so it's still a good idea to read the prior books first, though you don't necessarily have to. I still recommend this series for tweens and up, especially now that Jade and her friends have entered high school. The series is still done with a light touch, so the amount of romance is perfect, with none of the drama found in more mature titles.
Only the fact that Jade is put into the eighth-ninth grade split homeroom. She has to return to the middle school wing every day, while her best friend Cori and now-actual boyfriend Luke get to be in the cooler ninth-tenth grade split. Instead, she's in a homeroom with burping, smelly, immature boys, the evil Lainey and, surprise, surprise, Serena, who is still adjusting to her own life on two legs. There's also a fall dance looming where the girls ask the guys, and since Luke is her boyfriend now, that means she's expected to ask him, right? Even though they haven't been on a real date yet and she doesn't even want to go in the first place? And as if she needs even more to worry about, a supermoon is coming, and the Mermish Council wants to invoke Tidal Law to recall all land-walking merfolk to the sea to quell rumors that webbed one (landwalkers) exist and stop a revolution before it can begin. Jade's only just gotten her mother back. There's no way she's losing her again!
Hélène Boudreau continues to balance the awkward pains of growing up for a girl split between two worlds, tying the two together in a fun, fresh way. Comparing this series to Liz Kessler's Emily Windsnap series (I've previously reviewed one of the books and interviewed Kessler), I love the lore and mythology better in Emily Windsnap, but I adore the humor/tone and extra level of maturity in Real Mermaids more. Both are great series, albeit for slightly different age demographics despite the fact that two half-mer girls are roughly the same age. Boudreau creates unique mermaid lore in RMDNHH in a way she hasn't in previous books, pairing a mer-revolution with the coming of a supermoon. Merfolk can't escape the calling of Tidal Law, and it's intriguing to see the unique ways the webbed ones are being effected as they attempt to resist the call. The way the supermoon's appearances changes everyone emotionally despite the fact that they prep a special room to hide out in reminds me of a fun TV series I started watching last summer, H2O: Just Add Water. The girls constantly had to have sleepovers and find new ways to hide from the moon because if they caught its reflection, they instantly changed. At the same time, the situation is wholly different; it's just a fun comparison in my brain.
Readers will have no problem picking up this book in the series--or even starting with it--because again, Boudreau does an adequate job summing up the past, albeit with fewer details now. There are also more characters and motivations to balance now, so it's still a good idea to read the prior books first, though you don't necessarily have to. I still recommend this series for tweens and up, especially now that Jade and her friends have entered high school. The series is still done with a light touch, so the amount of romance is perfect, with none of the drama found in more mature titles.
December 21, 2012
The Story-
Jade Baxter is excited to start her first year of high school. She’s wearing the latest fashions from her best friend Cori, and her boyfriend Luke is ready to show the world that they are a couple. Then life throws her a loop. Serena, a family friend and fellow mermaid, is going to be staying with Jade’s family, and Jade is her official “babysitter”.
Serena jumps right into school life, signing up for tons of clubs and the underwater hockey team, which Jade is forced to join. One day after school, Jade interrupts a meeting of adults and to her surprise finds out there are more mer-people in town then just her boyfriend and mom. Seems that the mer-council is up to no good and are going to force all the mer-people who live on land, back into the ocean. Jade and her friends join the adults in trying to fight the council, but when all the other me- people are hypnotized except Serena and Jade, things get sticky, and it’s up to Jade to save the day. Plus, everything is happening at the same time as preparations for the school’s fall folly dance, and Jade doesn’t even have a dress.
My Thoughts- This is a really cute book for young adults. I enjoyed reading about Jade and the other mer-people as they struggled to live on land. This is not the first book in the series, but it is the only one I’ve read so far, and I found it fun with just a slight hint of romance. In fact, we don’t even get a kiss until the end of the book.
The plot is straight forward and simple. Jade is a half mermaid, but all the other mer people are full bloods and can’t resist the mer-council’s recall. Jade must expose the evil of the council, and keep her friends and family on dry land where they have chosen to live.
I found that the end of the story went on a little too long after the action stopped. But, the ending is where the title of the story ties in. Jade and her friends wear flip flops to the dance, not high heels.
Another good thing about the book is that the mer-people aren’t stereotypical. They are just like regular people, so they don’t feel like made up creatures with a whole different story line. I think that if I could go back, I’d like to read the first two books in the series, not because I didn’t understand book 3, but because I think it would be fun to see the characters evolve.
May 30, 2014
7.3
Summary:
In the third book in the Real Mermaids series, Hurricane Jade has a lot on her plate. With Serena now attending high school with her (and she's in high school!), things are a little complicated. Especially when Serena runs for ninth grade rep against none other than Lainey Chamberlain. As if that wasn't enough, Jade finds out there are a lot more than just four mers in her little town. Now the Mermish Council is recalling all Webbed Ones, Jade, Serena, Luke, and Michaela included.
Recommendations:
The Lightning Thief
Uglies
Marley and Me: Life and Love With the World's Worst Dog
The Mother-Daughter Book Club
My Life in Pink and Green
Characters I Liked:
Jade
Luke
Cori
Serena
Petra
First Sentence:
Ninth grade.
Also By Helene Boudreau
Swimming Science
Miraculous Medicines
Life in a Fishing Community
Life in a Residential City
Real Mermaids Don't Wear Toe Rings
Age Range: 8-13
Summary:
In the third book in the Real Mermaids series, Hurricane Jade has a lot on her plate. With Serena now attending high school with her (and she's in high school!), things are a little complicated. Especially when Serena runs for ninth grade rep against none other than Lainey Chamberlain. As if that wasn't enough, Jade finds out there are a lot more than just four mers in her little town. Now the Mermish Council is recalling all Webbed Ones, Jade, Serena, Luke, and Michaela included.
Recommendations:
The Lightning Thief
Uglies
Marley and Me: Life and Love With the World's Worst Dog
The Mother-Daughter Book Club
My Life in Pink and Green
Characters I Liked:
Jade
Luke
Cori
Serena
Petra
First Sentence:
Ninth grade.
Also By Helene Boudreau
Swimming Science
Miraculous Medicines
Life in a Fishing Community
Life in a Residential City
Real Mermaids Don't Wear Toe Rings
Age Range: 8-13
February 15, 2013
This is the third book in the Real Mermaids series about a tween who discovers she's an aqua-phobic mer-girl. Once again, this book picks up where the last one ended. Jade begins high school and shortly afterwards strange things begin happening when the Mermish Council declares that all land-dwelling mers must return to the ocean. But the Fall Formal dance is around the corner and tradition calls for the girl to ask the boy to the dance. Jade is so nervous about asking Luke because she doesn't think she's a good dancer, but before she can worry about that, she's needed back in the ocean if she's to help the people she loves from disappearing from her life for good.
Jade continues to be true to her character using her wits and boldness as she fights back against the Mermish Council. Boudreau introduces some of the usual issues about first going to high school—not having any friends in the same classes, boys, and friendships. My daughter will be entering high school (middle school for those of you in the US) next year so this was right up her alley. Many of the same characters from the first two books are back and all the plot threads are tied up nicely in the end. There were a few surprises, as with the last two books, making this a fun and adventurous book to read.
Although Jade is fourteen, she is very close to her parents and this book involved the grown-ups as much as the kids. Of course, the kids save the day, as it should be in a kid's book. It shows the teens sharing a good relationship with the adults in their lives, and I have to say that as a parent this was refreshing to read. I think that's why both my daughter and I enjoyed this series so much. Fantasy for the whole family.
There were times when we were a little confused about the whole Mermish Council affair, but in the end, it didn't detract too much from our enjoyment of this story. Real Mermaids is a feel-good series with a flawed but lovable teen, her close-knit friends, a seaside town with secrets, and the charming way it all works out in the end.
Jade continues to be true to her character using her wits and boldness as she fights back against the Mermish Council. Boudreau introduces some of the usual issues about first going to high school—not having any friends in the same classes, boys, and friendships. My daughter will be entering high school (middle school for those of you in the US) next year so this was right up her alley. Many of the same characters from the first two books are back and all the plot threads are tied up nicely in the end. There were a few surprises, as with the last two books, making this a fun and adventurous book to read.
Although Jade is fourteen, she is very close to her parents and this book involved the grown-ups as much as the kids. Of course, the kids save the day, as it should be in a kid's book. It shows the teens sharing a good relationship with the adults in their lives, and I have to say that as a parent this was refreshing to read. I think that's why both my daughter and I enjoyed this series so much. Fantasy for the whole family.
There were times when we were a little confused about the whole Mermish Council affair, but in the end, it didn't detract too much from our enjoyment of this story. Real Mermaids is a feel-good series with a flawed but lovable teen, her close-knit friends, a seaside town with secrets, and the charming way it all works out in the end.
March 4, 2013
Real Mermaids Don't Need High Heels is the third book in the Real Mermaids series. If you've not had the opportunity to read this series yet, you should. It's a cute series about a girl named Jade who finds out she's half-mermaid. She not only has to deal with the problems of being a mermaid, but also the problems of being a pre-teen. It's a great series for kids, or older, who like mermaid tales. This is a series I would recommend that you start with the first book, Real Mermaids Don't Wear Toe Rings.
This book begins with Jade and her BFF, Cori, on their first day of High School. They're both racked with nervous energy. Jade is thrown for a loop when her Gram stops by the school to enroll Serena, a fellow mermaid, into school. Jade must help Serena acclimate to her life as a human. Luckily she has great friends to help her. On top of that there's a school dance coming up, and she's not sure if Luke will ask her. However all this seems to take a backseat when the Mermaid council demands that all mermaid land dwellers must return to the ocean. This is a huge problem considering that her mom and her boyfriend are both mers.
I have really enjoyed reading this series. I love Jade's character. Her character has grown a lot since the first book, but she still struggles with insecurities. Boudreau writes her character in such a way that most girls would be able to identify themselves with Jade. I also love the relationship themes in this series. The author stresses how important friendship is as well as family dynamics. Jade is loyal and would do anything for the ones she loves. I liked this book as much as the first. I really hope the author considers writing more of the series because I would definitely read it!
For the parents out there: This is a clean read. There is an innocent chaste kiss, teen angst, and drama. If it were a movie, I'd rate it PG.
Read more at http://www.2readornot2read.com/2013/0...
This book begins with Jade and her BFF, Cori, on their first day of High School. They're both racked with nervous energy. Jade is thrown for a loop when her Gram stops by the school to enroll Serena, a fellow mermaid, into school. Jade must help Serena acclimate to her life as a human. Luckily she has great friends to help her. On top of that there's a school dance coming up, and she's not sure if Luke will ask her. However all this seems to take a backseat when the Mermaid council demands that all mermaid land dwellers must return to the ocean. This is a huge problem considering that her mom and her boyfriend are both mers.
I have really enjoyed reading this series. I love Jade's character. Her character has grown a lot since the first book, but she still struggles with insecurities. Boudreau writes her character in such a way that most girls would be able to identify themselves with Jade. I also love the relationship themes in this series. The author stresses how important friendship is as well as family dynamics. Jade is loyal and would do anything for the ones she loves. I liked this book as much as the first. I really hope the author considers writing more of the series because I would definitely read it!
For the parents out there: This is a clean read. There is an innocent chaste kiss, teen angst, and drama. If it were a movie, I'd rate it PG.
Read more at http://www.2readornot2read.com/2013/0...
March 7, 2013
I continue to enjoy this series, despite the fact that I'm worlds away from its target demographic. The scope of the story mushrooms in this book and maybe that's why I liked it better than the second...I have a thing for stories with broad scope. Our intrepid teenage mermaid, Jade Baxter, is kept off-balance by her radically-expanding mer-world, which invades her terrestrial one and turns a lot of what she thought she knew thoroughly on its ears. As before, she continues to grab life by the lips and yank, though usually out of sheer necessity. We get to see a lot of character growth, particularly in contrast to her at the opening of the first book. She begins the first book really unsure about all this mermaid stuff and having her father as her only support. By the end of the third, she has what would, given a few more years of growing, amount to a pretty darned good post-apocalyptic butt-kicking team...which is to say that she learns she's not alone and she doesn't have to deal with what life throws at her all by herself. Unlike the previous two, just about all the loose ends are tied up by the end. While that suggested the series may be closed, there's apparently a 4th book in the pipeline (no apparent release date as of this review). That's a good thing, as I can easily see an awful lot of potential through Jade's remaining teenage years and possibly into college. And it's just a darned fun read, even if I occasionally wind up scratching my head over how certain mer-things are supposed to work (though that's probably more a function of my compulsion toward asking, "If such-and-such were real, how might it work and what might it look like?").
December 3, 2018
The third installment of the Real Mermaids series was good, but I think my biggest problem is that it felt like it should have been longer, or split into a second book. There's a lot that happens in this one - it feels more like the conclusion to the series, even though there's a fourth book that's not a direct continuation.
The characters, however, are still great. Jade has her mom back on dry land, and she's intent on putting all the mermaid drama and intrigue behind her. She's hanging out with Cori and looking forward to enjoying high school with Cori and her maybe boyfriend Luke (and Cori and her boyfriend Trey.) Of course, things aren't that simple.
One of the better parts of the book is that Serena ends up going to the school, introduced as being from outside of the country, along with Jade's mom, who has to go by an assumed identity since she was legally declared dead a year before. Watching Serana stumble through typical teen life was a lot of fun, especially since it kind of makes her really popular, and she ends up running for student council, infuriating Lainey. Serana is one of my favorite characters in the series - she's naive, but she's not dumb. She can adapt quickly. And her obliviousness to social trends makes for a lot of funny and endearing moments with the other teens in school.
The Mermish Council has decreed that all mermaids must return to the village. They've declared a Mermaid Law that it must happen. Apparently, there's a compulsion on all of the mermaids from that particular tribe that will force them to return to the water. Strange things begin to happen as a supermoon draws closer. Luke begins to crave salt on his food - a lot of it. Jade's mom starts having trouble with her eyesight. Bridget is having trouble with her legs. It's a part of the laws that govern their kind.
The race is on to try and find a way to prevent them from having to return. They also have to discover why the Mermish Council is doing it in the first place, and what their eventual goal is beyond having them return. The Mermish Council seems set against having Webbed Ones, denying their existence outright. The belief is that if more mermaids knew about this, they would lose too many to the surface.
On top of this, there's also an upcoming dance to worry about, and it's one where the girls ask the guys. Jade has to worry about how to ask Luke, if Luke even wants to go, and what kind of dress she could wear.
Once again, it's a nice mix of teen drama and mermaid intrigue. But like I mentioned earlier, there's just too much going on here. There's a lot of concepts that are fun but could have used more focus and more time to develop. The world that was set up in the previous books is a fascinating one, and things end up getting resolved a bit too quickly, and a bit too easily. One of the things I enjoyed about the first two books is that the solutions to the problems that were presented to Jade weren't easy - she had to work to find a solution, and it wasn't always a perfect solution. Here, everything kind of converges and resolves itself in the last third of the book, and it just wasn't enough time to feel complete.
Spoilers regarding the plot, tagged of course.
Spoilers regarding the side plots.
All in all, it was a fun book to read, and I enjoyed it a lot. It just felt a bit rushed and cramped, and could've benefited from being expanded to two books. The whole plot dealing with the Mermish Council in the latter half of the book could've easily been it's own book, and would've let the many new side characters have more of a chance to shine.
The characters, however, are still great. Jade has her mom back on dry land, and she's intent on putting all the mermaid drama and intrigue behind her. She's hanging out with Cori and looking forward to enjoying high school with Cori and her maybe boyfriend Luke (and Cori and her boyfriend Trey.) Of course, things aren't that simple.
One of the better parts of the book is that Serena ends up going to the school, introduced as being from outside of the country, along with Jade's mom, who has to go by an assumed identity since she was legally declared dead a year before. Watching Serana stumble through typical teen life was a lot of fun, especially since it kind of makes her really popular, and she ends up running for student council, infuriating Lainey. Serana is one of my favorite characters in the series - she's naive, but she's not dumb. She can adapt quickly. And her obliviousness to social trends makes for a lot of funny and endearing moments with the other teens in school.
The Mermish Council has decreed that all mermaids must return to the village. They've declared a Mermaid Law that it must happen. Apparently, there's a compulsion on all of the mermaids from that particular tribe that will force them to return to the water. Strange things begin to happen as a supermoon draws closer. Luke begins to crave salt on his food - a lot of it. Jade's mom starts having trouble with her eyesight. Bridget is having trouble with her legs. It's a part of the laws that govern their kind.
The race is on to try and find a way to prevent them from having to return. They also have to discover why the Mermish Council is doing it in the first place, and what their eventual goal is beyond having them return. The Mermish Council seems set against having Webbed Ones, denying their existence outright. The belief is that if more mermaids knew about this, they would lose too many to the surface.
On top of this, there's also an upcoming dance to worry about, and it's one where the girls ask the guys. Jade has to worry about how to ask Luke, if Luke even wants to go, and what kind of dress she could wear.
Once again, it's a nice mix of teen drama and mermaid intrigue. But like I mentioned earlier, there's just too much going on here. There's a lot of concepts that are fun but could have used more focus and more time to develop. The world that was set up in the previous books is a fascinating one, and things end up getting resolved a bit too quickly, and a bit too easily. One of the things I enjoyed about the first two books is that the solutions to the problems that were presented to Jade weren't easy - she had to work to find a solution, and it wasn't always a perfect solution. Here, everything kind of converges and resolves itself in the last third of the book, and it just wasn't enough time to feel complete.
Spoilers regarding the plot, tagged of course.
Spoilers regarding the side plots.
All in all, it was a fun book to read, and I enjoyed it a lot. It just felt a bit rushed and cramped, and could've benefited from being expanded to two books. The whole plot dealing with the Mermish Council in the latter half of the book could've easily been it's own book, and would've let the many new side characters have more of a chance to shine.
June 7, 2017
I love these books
September 24, 2025
Today we’re here to talk about Real Mermaids Don't Wear High Heels by Helene Boudreau, in which Jade the mermaid must stop the Mermish Council from forcing all of the land-dwelling mers back into the ocean.
Genre and Target Demographic?
• YA Contemporary Fiction (with a sci-fi flair)
• Younger end of YA, 12-14
Part of a Series?
• Yes, third novel in the “Real Mermaids” series
Is it a Little Mermaid Retelling?
• No
Mermaid Type and Presence?
• Traditional mermaid, can shift depending on what they’re breathing
• Moderate
◦ Main character is a mermaid, but little time is spent in mermaid form
~*~
Content Warnings?
• Ableism
• Asthma
• Fatphobia & Body Shaming
• Involuntary Adoption
~*~
You Should Read This Book If You Enjoy:
• The first two books
• Fish-Out-of-Water stories
• Stories about plus-size characters
• The thrill of popularity contests
You Should Avoid This Book If You Dislike:
• The first two books
• Comically evil villains
• Horribly inaccurate science
◦ THE MOON IS NOT A MAGNET
• Poor Pacing
• Poor Communication
• About a fifth of the word count dedicated to recapping previous books
• Character assassination of roughly half the cast, including the protagonist
~*~
Did I Enjoy It?
No. TL;DR, it takes a sharp turn from cute, quirky shenanigans to cruel jabs, bad science, and worse attitudes.
After how much fun I had with the first two books, and especially with Book 2, it was such a shame that Book 3 dragged so hard. Unlike Book 2 which so elegantly and succinctly recapped Book 1 with a single page, Book 3 was still dropping recap tidbits up until page 63, slowing the already more chill pacing of this plot into a crawl.
The focus shifts HARD to Serena instead of Jade, who doesn’t really have a personality beyond “fish-out-of-water” who speaks like a caveman. Jade’s highschool drama revolves solely around propping Serena up and teaching her how to be a normal highschool girl in the most annoyingly frustrating, compulsively lying manner imaginable. Not to mention helping Serena beat Lainey at becoming Student Council leader, while Lainey has lost her development from Book 2 and become a shrill stereotypical mean girl. So much for the lack of fatphobia in these books, because Lainey brings it out in force.
On the other hand, Jade turns into such a judgy self-centered jerk in this book that I don’t really want to root for her anyway. She spends the whole book complaining that things aren’t her problem and looking down on everyone else for things that are beyond their ability to control. So yeah, go Serena, I guess.
What’s even worse, is that to make the plot of the land dwelling mers more of a threat than, you know, just Jade’s mom, boyfriend, and friend getting stolen away from her (which she doesn’t actually seem to care about anyway since she INSISTS it isn’t her problem), suddenly everyone and their mothers turn out to ALSO secretly be merpeople. Yep, just keep throwing them in there. It’s like when Kingdom Hearts decided to just start giving EVERYONE Keyblades. Way to make all the secrecy of the last two books completely meaningless.
Worst of all? The bad science from before rears its ugly head and gets SO MUCH WORSE. I cannot stress this enough, but the moon is NOT A MAGNET. The tides do not function from electromagnetism, it’s gravity. HALF THE PLOT revolves around building a faraday cage to stop the moon’s “electromagnetic waves” from pulling on the tides and mind controlling the mers. It’s dumb.
~*~
THAT SAID…
While there are undoubtedly still things to love about this series, unfortunately the protagonist is no longer one of them. Here’s to hoping she gets her act together for the fourth and final book in the series.
~*~
Happy reading for those who dare to delve into these pages, and swift sailing for those still searching for their perfect mermaid tale!
Genre and Target Demographic?
• YA Contemporary Fiction (with a sci-fi flair)
• Younger end of YA, 12-14
Part of a Series?
• Yes, third novel in the “Real Mermaids” series
Is it a Little Mermaid Retelling?
• No
Mermaid Type and Presence?
• Traditional mermaid, can shift depending on what they’re breathing
• Moderate
◦ Main character is a mermaid, but little time is spent in mermaid form
~*~
Content Warnings?
• Ableism
• Asthma
• Fatphobia & Body Shaming
• Involuntary Adoption
~*~
You Should Read This Book If You Enjoy:
• The first two books
• Fish-Out-of-Water stories
• Stories about plus-size characters
• The thrill of popularity contests
You Should Avoid This Book If You Dislike:
• The first two books
• Comically evil villains
• Horribly inaccurate science
◦ THE MOON IS NOT A MAGNET
• Poor Pacing
• Poor Communication
• About a fifth of the word count dedicated to recapping previous books
• Character assassination of roughly half the cast, including the protagonist
~*~
Did I Enjoy It?
No. TL;DR, it takes a sharp turn from cute, quirky shenanigans to cruel jabs, bad science, and worse attitudes.
After how much fun I had with the first two books, and especially with Book 2, it was such a shame that Book 3 dragged so hard. Unlike Book 2 which so elegantly and succinctly recapped Book 1 with a single page, Book 3 was still dropping recap tidbits up until page 63, slowing the already more chill pacing of this plot into a crawl.
The focus shifts HARD to Serena instead of Jade, who doesn’t really have a personality beyond “fish-out-of-water” who speaks like a caveman. Jade’s highschool drama revolves solely around propping Serena up and teaching her how to be a normal highschool girl in the most annoyingly frustrating, compulsively lying manner imaginable. Not to mention helping Serena beat Lainey at becoming Student Council leader, while Lainey has lost her development from Book 2 and become a shrill stereotypical mean girl. So much for the lack of fatphobia in these books, because Lainey brings it out in force.
On the other hand, Jade turns into such a judgy self-centered jerk in this book that I don’t really want to root for her anyway. She spends the whole book complaining that things aren’t her problem and looking down on everyone else for things that are beyond their ability to control. So yeah, go Serena, I guess.
What’s even worse, is that to make the plot of the land dwelling mers more of a threat than, you know, just Jade’s mom, boyfriend, and friend getting stolen away from her (which she doesn’t actually seem to care about anyway since she INSISTS it isn’t her problem), suddenly everyone and their mothers turn out to ALSO secretly be merpeople. Yep, just keep throwing them in there. It’s like when Kingdom Hearts decided to just start giving EVERYONE Keyblades. Way to make all the secrecy of the last two books completely meaningless.
Worst of all? The bad science from before rears its ugly head and gets SO MUCH WORSE. I cannot stress this enough, but the moon is NOT A MAGNET. The tides do not function from electromagnetism, it’s gravity. HALF THE PLOT revolves around building a faraday cage to stop the moon’s “electromagnetic waves” from pulling on the tides and mind controlling the mers. It’s dumb.
~*~
THAT SAID…
While there are undoubtedly still things to love about this series, unfortunately the protagonist is no longer one of them. Here’s to hoping she gets her act together for the fourth and final book in the series.
~*~
Happy reading for those who dare to delve into these pages, and swift sailing for those still searching for their perfect mermaid tale!
January 18, 2025
I feel like this one is definitely not as good as the first two books in the series, but I’m biased because I grew up reading those two and I read this one as an adult. However, I WISH I read this when I was younger!! It was super cute and fun, although the author definitely cranked up the cringey dialogue. There was a lot more going on in the story, especially in the underwater world. It was a little bit of an information overload and I feel like the author tried doing a bit too much in this story. Honestly, poor Jade! She has to babysit Serena (who doesn’t know English that well and is very slowly adjusting to human society) at school. High school, to make it even worse. Not only that, she basically has to lead a huge underwater mermaid coup against the tyrannical Mermish council. AND SHE HAS TO WORRY ABOUT A SCHOOL DANCE! Girl cannot catch a break. However, the whole miscommunication thing with Luke is getting real old. He is your boyfriend, girlypop! Just talk to him!! I am BEGGING that there isn’t more miscommunication in the fourth book. We also learn a bunch of people in town are mer-people, that some are related to other characters, AND that Jade is related to the leader of the Mermish council. I felt that all the relations to be a bit unnecessary but hey, I didn’t write the book 🤷♀️ I like how Lainey is friends with everyone at the end, even though I remember HATING her ass as a kid lol. I can also appreciate the author teaching younger tweens and teens about the Pavlov dog experiment through mermaids, because I didn’t learn about that shit until community college 😂 Also?! Jade mentions reading the Emily Windsnap books?! Another one of my favorite childhood book series, which I WILL be rereading next. One more thing, I love that Luke found his mer family but WHY IN GOD’S BLUE OCEAN IS HIS NAME PENELOPUS?! First Dalrymple, now Penelopus. I’m begging for normal names PLEASE!! 🙏 P.s., Cori committed a crime when she made them all wear flip-flops to a school dance and I think she should face some serious jail time.
July 31, 2021
Schools open and Jade is now a HS freshman, but she has to take Serina along as her non-English speaking ’cousin’ from Tonganesia.
To add to the problems, there’s a Webbed Ones revolution against the Mermish Council who is retaliating by arrests and some mysterious homing device.
Footnote: 1) Another delicious recipe: Reese’s peanut butter s’mores. 2) Why do they need a mentorship? I can understand Corie since she wants to be a designer, but Jade is just a freshman. If she’s doesn’t have any particular interest yet she should just be able to wait until she needs to.
Fave scenes: Selina’s HS enthusiasm for activities, Jade’s take with Mrs. Chamberlain, the improvised ear protectors and Cori’s surprise.
To add to the problems, there’s a Webbed Ones revolution against the Mermish Council who is retaliating by arrests and some mysterious homing device.
Footnote: 1) Another delicious recipe: Reese’s peanut butter s’mores. 2) Why do they need a mentorship? I can understand Corie since she wants to be a designer, but Jade is just a freshman. If she’s doesn’t have any particular interest yet she should just be able to wait until she needs to.
Fave scenes: Selina’s HS enthusiasm for activities, Jade’s take with Mrs. Chamberlain, the improvised ear protectors and Cori’s surprise.
September 24, 2020
Like the others, it was rather predictable. I did get bogged down after a few chapters (and this happened a couple times), where I had to just stop reading for a week or so. But I'm glad I finished it.
Read
August 16, 2024While I don't feel this story is as good as the first two books, I still enjoyed this fun, quick read. The main character, Jade, is such a believable character even if she is a half mermaid. I love her quirky personality and how much she cares about her family and friends.
March 20, 2018
Well, this time there were high heels, breath-holding moments, and toe rings.
February 22, 2019
This book is amazing! I love these books and have read every book! I love books about mermaids!!!!
June 11, 2019
Fun and adventure filled next step in the series.
July 10, 2022
Lots of action at the end so of course I had to stay up until 1am reading it
October 28, 2022
I’m so happy I found this series because it’s so nostalgic. This was another great book in the series.
May 27, 2025
it was so good, so many mind blowing part that took me a while to wrap around but all the adventures and saving was so good.
March 6, 2013
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Due to copy and paste, formatting has been lost.
I think that this is the book where I've found my happy place for this series-- I just need to accept that this is MG, a genre that I don't usually read, so there are going to be some things that will just kill me. Like the lack of down-time between adventures. But the more that I think about that, the more that I realize that MG is known for it's over-the-top adventures that just keep happening, so I think I've finally made peace with that. Finally.
And that's all that needed to be done for me to just sit back and start really enjoying this series. I already liked Jade, so now that I've made peace with the adventures, I can say that I love Jade. She's really level-headed most of the time, and she totally makes me laugh with her snarky humor! She also manages to be spunky a lot, even when she's in grave danger, and yes, she still makes me laugh. And nod while saying, "Amen, sister! Preach about being plus-sized!!"
I also like the way that her relationship with Luke has progressed throughout the books-- meaning it's basically gone nowhere, but I think that it's pretty realistic, considering the young age of Luke and Jade. I love how confused they are! It's the cutest thing I've ever seen, and I hope that they actually get somewhere in the next book. Getting over the confusion is part of growing up! And it's just really cute. =]
Speaking of cute, this entire series really is adorable. I'm really starting to appreciate that it isn't filled with mature subjects. It's a kick-back-and-relax kind of read. I'm loving that! I'm also loving that the ending was sweet and happy, and that the characters all had their own little happy endings. So much love for happiness, y'all!
In the end, Real Mermaids Don't Need High Heels was a satisfying read that left me happy with where the characters were, and hopeful about the next book in the series.
Due to copy and paste, formatting has been lost.
I think that this is the book where I've found my happy place for this series-- I just need to accept that this is MG, a genre that I don't usually read, so there are going to be some things that will just kill me. Like the lack of down-time between adventures. But the more that I think about that, the more that I realize that MG is known for it's over-the-top adventures that just keep happening, so I think I've finally made peace with that. Finally.
And that's all that needed to be done for me to just sit back and start really enjoying this series. I already liked Jade, so now that I've made peace with the adventures, I can say that I love Jade. She's really level-headed most of the time, and she totally makes me laugh with her snarky humor! She also manages to be spunky a lot, even when she's in grave danger, and yes, she still makes me laugh. And nod while saying, "Amen, sister! Preach about being plus-sized!!"
I also like the way that her relationship with Luke has progressed throughout the books-- meaning it's basically gone nowhere, but I think that it's pretty realistic, considering the young age of Luke and Jade. I love how confused they are! It's the cutest thing I've ever seen, and I hope that they actually get somewhere in the next book. Getting over the confusion is part of growing up! And it's just really cute. =]
Speaking of cute, this entire series really is adorable. I'm really starting to appreciate that it isn't filled with mature subjects. It's a kick-back-and-relax kind of read. I'm loving that! I'm also loving that the ending was sweet and happy, and that the characters all had their own little happy endings. So much love for happiness, y'all!
In the end, Real Mermaids Don't Need High Heels was a satisfying read that left me happy with where the characters were, and hopeful about the next book in the series.
February 21, 2013
I love how this series continues without pause! In the third installment to the Real Mermaids Series, there is more action, more humor and more love! Helen Boudreau has a true gift in creating a world where mermaids really do exist...
Jade is still trying to be a normal teen girl trying to find her way, this time, through high school.
But the Mermish Council's interference is making it difficult for her to keep her two feet on on the ground, literally...
But nothing ever gets in Jades way! She is the most determined and caring girl I have ever came across in literature - she is strong minded, creative and extremely smart when put in a bind. Jade is not your average mer-girl, since she was born human, she is the only one who can transform within minutes, making her very special and giving her the advantage in spur of the moment problems and plans.
Her take-charge attitude is endearing and proves just how much she cares about everyone.
What I love most about this series is its main focus on how important family and friends are. Sticking up for one another, caring and protecting each other. Also, the way that Jade strives in girl-power, taking charge and believing in yourself. All very important messages for our young woman, teens and tweens.
The blossoming girlfriend/boyfriend relationship between Jade and Luke is adorable - it's the way a relationship should be at the age of 14 and 15. They are completely smitten with each other, but respectful and sweet.
Full of action and humor, I highly recommend this to all girls who believe in mermaids...
and even those who don't! Helen Boudreau will make a believer out of you!
Jade is still trying to be a normal teen girl trying to find her way, this time, through high school.
But the Mermish Council's interference is making it difficult for her to keep her two feet on on the ground, literally...
But nothing ever gets in Jades way! She is the most determined and caring girl I have ever came across in literature - she is strong minded, creative and extremely smart when put in a bind. Jade is not your average mer-girl, since she was born human, she is the only one who can transform within minutes, making her very special and giving her the advantage in spur of the moment problems and plans.
Her take-charge attitude is endearing and proves just how much she cares about everyone.
What I love most about this series is its main focus on how important family and friends are. Sticking up for one another, caring and protecting each other. Also, the way that Jade strives in girl-power, taking charge and believing in yourself. All very important messages for our young woman, teens and tweens.
The blossoming girlfriend/boyfriend relationship between Jade and Luke is adorable - it's the way a relationship should be at the age of 14 and 15. They are completely smitten with each other, but respectful and sweet.
Full of action and humor, I highly recommend this to all girls who believe in mermaids...
and even those who don't! Helen Boudreau will make a believer out of you!
June 25, 2013
Fun read. Full review to come.
Reviewed 2/11/2013:
I read and liked Real Mermaids Don't Wear Toe Rings (book 1) back in 2010. It was a quick, fun read and I liked the character of Jade. When I was asked to review Real Mermaids Don't Need High Heels, I was a bit worried because it's been a while since I read Toe Rings and I have not had a chance to read book 2. However, it was very easy to get back into Jade's world and figure out what I had missed, so reading book 2 was not really necessary for me.
What I liked about High Heels:
1. Jade. She doesn't really get anything stand in her way and she stands up for her friends. I like reading a middle grade novel with heroine like Jade.
2. The action. There was never a dull moment in High Heels. There was always something going on and while there's some drama, it wasn't too dramatic.
3. The cute romance between Jade and Luke. It was nice to see Jade and Luke happy together and their kiss in the end was sweet.
What I didn't like about High Heels:
1. Problems were too easily solved or too abruptly solved with the sudden appearance of a character or a revelation.
Overall, it was a fun and light read sprinkled with humor. I think young girls who love mermaid stories will enjoy the Real Mermaids Don't Need High Heels and the other books in the series. Also, I think this series might appeal to middle grade girls who are reluctant readers because of its fun covers, the story was told in an easy-to-read, upbeat prose, the plot was straightforward and fast-paced and fairly short 240 pages.
Reviewed 2/11/2013:
I read and liked Real Mermaids Don't Wear Toe Rings (book 1) back in 2010. It was a quick, fun read and I liked the character of Jade. When I was asked to review Real Mermaids Don't Need High Heels, I was a bit worried because it's been a while since I read Toe Rings and I have not had a chance to read book 2. However, it was very easy to get back into Jade's world and figure out what I had missed, so reading book 2 was not really necessary for me.
What I liked about High Heels:
1. Jade. She doesn't really get anything stand in her way and she stands up for her friends. I like reading a middle grade novel with heroine like Jade.
2. The action. There was never a dull moment in High Heels. There was always something going on and while there's some drama, it wasn't too dramatic.
3. The cute romance between Jade and Luke. It was nice to see Jade and Luke happy together and their kiss in the end was sweet.
What I didn't like about High Heels:
1. Problems were too easily solved or too abruptly solved with the sudden appearance of a character or a revelation.
Overall, it was a fun and light read sprinkled with humor. I think young girls who love mermaid stories will enjoy the Real Mermaids Don't Need High Heels and the other books in the series. Also, I think this series might appeal to middle grade girls who are reluctant readers because of its fun covers, the story was told in an easy-to-read, upbeat prose, the plot was straightforward and fast-paced and fairly short 240 pages.
July 7, 2015
I reviewed this book for School Library Journal.
Jade Baxter is just your average fourteen-year-old girl. She’s excited to start high school, she can’t find a bathing suit that fits right, and she’s nervous about asking her crush to the fall formal. Oh, and she happens to be a mermaid. This is the third book in a cute coming-of-age series about Jade and her discovery that she is half Mer. Plenty of backstory is woven throughout, so readers need not have read the first two books in order to enjoy this one. As the story opens, Jade is relieved that her family and friends seem to finally be safe from all mermaid-related drama, and she’s eager to focus her attentions on a new school year. 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 two installments, which should please inquisitive readers. Boudreau has succeeded in creating a strong, hilarious heroine who serves as a fantastic role model for young readers. Jade isn’t perfect, but despite her mistakes, she continues to exemplify what it means to truly be brave, fair, and kind. Readers will fall head over fins for this magically fun tale and will be begging for more of Jade’s mer-scepades soon!
Jade Baxter is just your average fourteen-year-old girl. She’s excited to start high school, she can’t find a bathing suit that fits right, and she’s nervous about asking her crush to the fall formal. Oh, and she happens to be a mermaid. This is the third book in a cute coming-of-age series about Jade and her discovery that she is half Mer. Plenty of backstory is woven throughout, so readers need not have read the first two books in order to enjoy this one. As the story opens, Jade is relieved that her family and friends seem to finally be safe from all mermaid-related drama, and she’s eager to focus her attentions on a new school year. 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 two installments, which should please inquisitive readers. Boudreau has succeeded in creating a strong, hilarious heroine who serves as a fantastic role model for young readers. Jade isn’t perfect, but despite her mistakes, she continues to exemplify what it means to truly be brave, fair, and kind. Readers will fall head over fins for this magically fun tale and will be begging for more of Jade’s mer-scepades soon!
February 25, 2013
I can't resist books about mermaids, and this middle grade novel was adorable. I was surprised at the amount of world building in this book! The author really set up an entire undersea world with its own set of rules and politics.
However, my favorite part of the book wasn't the alternate universe, but the relationships between the characters. I loved that all of the characters cared about each other so much! You could really see how they joined together and helped each other in order to save the day. Jade's best (human) friend, Cori, was so adorable and encouraging to her friend, their friendship was so sweet and real at the same time. I also liked the addition of Serena, the mermaid who has just found her way onto land. Lainey, the mean girl, was fully fleshed out, and Jade was able to understand why she acted the way she did. It was great to see that dynamic explored instead of just making Lainey into a villain.
I would say this book is for older middle grade readers, or maybe even a younger YA reader. The characters themselves are in the 9th grade. There is nothing objectionable in the book at all, but there is so much detail and action that an older reader would definitely be entertained by this one.
Overall, this was a fun mermaid tale, with great characters and relationships.
ARC sent by publisher in exchange for an honest review
reviewed for http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com
However, my favorite part of the book wasn't the alternate universe, but the relationships between the characters. I loved that all of the characters cared about each other so much! You could really see how they joined together and helped each other in order to save the day. Jade's best (human) friend, Cori, was so adorable and encouraging to her friend, their friendship was so sweet and real at the same time. I also liked the addition of Serena, the mermaid who has just found her way onto land. Lainey, the mean girl, was fully fleshed out, and Jade was able to understand why she acted the way she did. It was great to see that dynamic explored instead of just making Lainey into a villain.
I would say this book is for older middle grade readers, or maybe even a younger YA reader. The characters themselves are in the 9th grade. There is nothing objectionable in the book at all, but there is so much detail and action that an older reader would definitely be entertained by this one.
Overall, this was a fun mermaid tale, with great characters and relationships.
ARC sent by publisher in exchange for an honest review
reviewed for http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com
March 3, 2013
First can I just say that I absolutely love this series. It is a great series with some messages that are great for teen girls. I love the fact that our main character Jade is a plus size. She is no skinny mini girl but your average size girl. So kudos to Helene for bring out that point.
In this book we get to see so much from Jade. She has been through a lot of stuff and she is happy to finally be starting high school. She has her mother and she has her boyfriend Luke by her side so she can face anything. But as we all know high school is trying and when Selena shows up the first day of school and Jade is expected to help her she is not pleased. She wants to have a normal high school experience. She does not want to be a baby sitter.
Then if things could not get any worse the Mermish council is up to no good again and telling every mer person who lives above the water to return to the water. But Jade is not accepting that. She wants to be happy in the human world with her mother and her boyfriend Luke. She will have to fight to keep what she wants. Like that is not her only problem she is stressing about what to wear to the Fall Formal. She wants to wear a beautiful dress but she does not want to wear a tent or a curtain. Being plus size doesn't give you much of a choice as to what to wear.
This is a must read story that is both funny and refreshing!
In this book we get to see so much from Jade. She has been through a lot of stuff and she is happy to finally be starting high school. She has her mother and she has her boyfriend Luke by her side so she can face anything. But as we all know high school is trying and when Selena shows up the first day of school and Jade is expected to help her she is not pleased. She wants to have a normal high school experience. She does not want to be a baby sitter.
Then if things could not get any worse the Mermish council is up to no good again and telling every mer person who lives above the water to return to the water. But Jade is not accepting that. She wants to be happy in the human world with her mother and her boyfriend Luke. She will have to fight to keep what she wants. Like that is not her only problem she is stressing about what to wear to the Fall Formal. She wants to wear a beautiful dress but she does not want to wear a tent or a curtain. Being plus size doesn't give you much of a choice as to what to wear.
This is a must read story that is both funny and refreshing!
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