Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Mermaid Tales #4

Danger in the Deep Blue Sea (4)

Rate this book
Pearl’s fear of sharks is not unfounded—but can she find a way to feel safe in this Mermaid Tales adventure?

Late-breaking news from the Trident City There have been shark sightings in Trident City! No swimming alone! Pearl’s father even hires a Shark Guard to escort her to school. Pearl starts stirring up lots of trouble with anything that has to do with sharks, even denouncing the skeleton Kiki has in her room. And then, to make matters worse, Pearl accuses Kiki of stealing her precious pearl necklace! And though the undersea waters are indeed filled with danger, Pearl just might discover that true friends can provide a sense of safety!

112 pages, Paperback

First published December 15, 2012

23 people are currently reading
359 people want to read

About the author

Debbie Dadey

234 books327 followers
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.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
113 (55%)
4 stars
45 (21%)
3 stars
34 (16%)
2 stars
7 (3%)
1 star
6 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
Profile Image for Serene In Wonderland.
222 reviews11 followers
January 1, 2026
The third I've read in this early chapter series and it's really sweet. This one is in the perspective of Pearl who is a bit of a bully. She gets things wrong and has to learn to be nicer. There's facts about sharks at the end.

CONTENT:
A girl says a boy is cute and there's a little giggling.
Profile Image for Tashia.
141 reviews14 followers
February 24, 2013
I haven't read the book yet, but I am super-excited to have won this on Goodreads. This book is actually going to my niece who may be only 2 but it is never too early to get them into books. I told her mother that whenever I send them books that she has to read to her every night. Can't wait until it comes and from the previews that I have seen on other websites I think the story and illustrations are great.
Profile Image for Joseph Whitt.
410 reviews6 followers
September 7, 2021
This was, I believe, the first chapter book that young Addison wanted to read. After fussing about starting a series on book #4, I began. I knew I wouldn't particularly enjoy the book, but I didn't expect that I would dislike it so quickly. In retrospect, I have come to appreciate the book a bit more.

In general, the main protagonist of a children's book is, more or less, a good child. Curious, kind, and maybe perhaps with a proclivity to mischief just enough to make a story out of it. But in this book, the main mermaid is self-centered, obnoxious, and oblivious to others. Young Pearl is not a very nice mermaid and it was a frequent source of questions for my Addison. In the first couple of chapters, she saw herself as Pearl. But it was a little difficult for her to detach as Pearl's behavior grew worse. I presume that this is Dadey's mission. In the safety of a book, all readers can experience something new. My daughter got a glimpse of the perspective of a kind of bully. Usually, children's books for very young readers generally only show the side of the victim. At first, I didn't like it because Addison wasn't sure whether to agree with Pearl or to be frustrated with her. I didn't like that she would be confused. But, regardless of her learnings, she's worked a little bit of that out now in the fantasy world of a book and not when she's face to face with it on the playground. LOL - As if she hasn't had to deal with mean children already. She's the 3rd of 4 siblings and has been in school or day-care programs since she was 1.

Profile Image for paige turner ♡.
292 reviews9 followers
December 18, 2018
I have always had a soft spot for sharks. I think they have an awful rep in the world.

But I guess there had to be some villian in this story, right?

I tried to put my feelings aside about the sharks because I do know that they are dangerous, and I feel like they weren't the focus of the story.

I was annoyed with Pearl; I didn't like her from the previous books I had read with my daughter, but I mean, the story wasn't that bad.

Pearl was mean to Kiki though; she jumped to conclusions before she had any proof. I didn't understand why she had to be so mean about Kiki's bed, or why she was trying so hard to make Kiki's life miserable. She was deliberately mean to Kiki before her necklace went missing.

I did find forgiveness in my cold little heart when Pearl did realize that Kiki wasn't responsible for stealing her necklace. At least she apologized.

What don't I understand though is, how did the shark get the necklace in the first place when Pearl took it off of her neck when she was starting practice? They had a Shark Guard there, a coach, and a lot of students there. Someone would have seen something, right? Especially if there's a shark swimming around somewhere.
Profile Image for Mehsi.
15.1k reviews455 followers
May 4, 2017
Wow, well, I am surprised that Pearl gets a book from her POV. She is the meanest, sneakiest, rotten girl in the entire school. Should I feel sorry for her all of the sudden? Nah, I didn't. Frankly, she deserved all she had coming. Hopefully she learns a lesson. I know I did, in the future I will avoid all the Pearl books, it is already bad enough she is in the books normally. Bleh, why does the mean rich bitch trope have to be used so much? :|
And of course that cliche has to be used as well. *sighs*And really how did a shark do that? *sighs more* Nope, not my favourite book. Not at all. Poor Kiki.
Profile Image for Madamemoiselle  DuFarge.
16 reviews
June 19, 2018
oh no, a shark has been spotted in trident city. pearl swamp is so scared, she needs a shark guard to
escort her to and from school. she doesn't trust anyone who likes these terrifying creatures,
especially Kiki coral, who isn't nearly as frightened as pearl. and then, to make matters worse, pearl
accuses kiki of stealing her precious pearl necklace. but pearl finds out that a great white shark took
her necklace. instead of the shark distroying the city, mr. fangtooth saves them from the shark.
7 reviews2 followers
January 31, 2020
this is a good read. i recommend this book for ages 7 and up i love this book i think it is the best book in the series because pearl becomes friends of Shelly kiki and echo it is amazing i think that this is the best book that i have read
in IN MY LIFE !!!! because pearl actually gets along with new friends and her friends are my favorite
characters I RECOMMEND YOU READ IT SOON !!!!!!!!!
Profile Image for Jacquie.
306 reviews
March 14, 2019
Another cute mermaid tale finished with my daughter. Like how this one shows that you aren't always right and even though you may think one think it isn't always right.
17 reviews
Read
September 11, 2017
I loved this book because it was a little scary. It would be a book for lower elemetery. If you like mermaids you should like this book. This book is about pearl loses her pearls. Read the book Danger in the Deep Blue Sea to find out more.
Profile Image for Alexandra Werner.
31 reviews
April 22, 2022
There has been a recent shark sighting in Tritent City. Sharks are super dangerous to mer-folk. And on top of that someone has stolen Pearl's pearls!
Profile Image for Tia Garrigues.
315 reviews
March 2, 2017
Another easy read but this time from the series' almost-villain, Pearl. It was an interesting read, though I can't say it's changed my feelings on Pearl at all.
Profile Image for Katt Hansen.
3,856 reviews108 followers
February 28, 2016
It's interesting that I'm giving the highest rating for this series thus far on a book that features the villain - Pearl. But honestly, the author presented her well, and I found myself understanding her somewhat. And even liking the conflict that results in her own actions. In other words, comeuppance is somewhat of a pleasure to see.
Profile Image for Claire Hua.
22 reviews2 followers
May 17, 2014
I was so exited to read this book pearl is sort of mean I know for sure in the mail it said there is a shark at Trident Academy.If you want to hear more then read the book and find out what happens in my opinion it is a really good book. Good luck!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.