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Search for the Silver Shell
Full of magic, mermaids, and friendship, Coral Keepers is the perfect epic underwater early chapter book series for newly independent readers!
Pick a book. Grow a Reader! This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line, Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow!
More than anything, Princess Finn and her friends, Moon and Link, want to become Coral Keepers -- mermaid magicians sworn to protect the Queendom of Anjeea. Finn is a shark magician, but she is struggling to pass her shark-magic test. And now, an evil magician named Rozaro is plotting to steal the throne! Only the power of the Silver Shell can stop him. Can Finn master her shark magic, find the magical shell, and protect Anjeea?
With engaging black-and-white artwork on every page, kids won't be able to put down this magical, underwater adventure!
Pick a book. Grow a Reader! This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line, Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow!
More than anything, Princess Finn and her friends, Moon and Link, want to become Coral Keepers -- mermaid magicians sworn to protect the Queendom of Anjeea. Finn is a shark magician, but she is struggling to pass her shark-magic test. And now, an evil magician named Rozaro is plotting to steal the throne! Only the power of the Silver Shell can stop him. Can Finn master her shark magic, find the magical shell, and protect Anjeea?
With engaging black-and-white artwork on every page, kids won't be able to put down this magical, underwater adventure!
96 pages, Hardcover
Published March 4, 2025
6 people are currently reading
5207 people want to read
About the author
Robin Yardi
10 books112 followersRobin Yardi is the author of Coral Keepers, an illustrated undersea adventure series about a trio of mermaid magicians (Scholastic), and I Know the Whale, a poignant picture book about the beauty in all things (Little Bee). As a credentialed teacher and museum docent turned author and presenter, Robin knows joyful learning begins with curiosity. Her books celebrate the bravery of kids doing the hard work of growing up, mastering their magic, and learning to read!
Robin lives with her family in California where she spends time talking to her giant tortoise and finding feathers to remind herself that the smallest parts of us are treasures. As an autistic, ADHD creative, Robin sees the world as wonderfully complex – often hard, but always beautiful.
Robin lives with her family in California where she spends time talking to her giant tortoise and finding feathers to remind herself that the smallest parts of us are treasures. As an autistic, ADHD creative, Robin sees the world as wonderfully complex – often hard, but always beautiful.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 27, 2025
Princess Finn has shark magic and wants nothing more to be a Coral Keeper. Those are the mermaids who protect the coral wall surrounding their city: Anjeea. Especially since an evil merman named Rozaro threatens the safety of Anjeea. The only problem is that Finn can't grasp how to use her magic. Sharks are aggressive creatures, which makes them a bit intimidating, but Finn won't give up. No matter how many times she fails the trials.
When Finn adventures to the wall with her friend, she's swept away into it and sees a vision of a Silver Shell. However, her mom claims it's hidden and she isn't powerful enough to wield it. For that reason, Finn trains harder than ever, especially when she discovers Rozaro is after it too.
SEARCH FOR THE SILVER SHELL is a new chapter book series for early readers that celebrate mermaids, friendship, sealife, and the enchanting allure of magic. Princess Finn is lucky to have friends like Moon and Link who remain at her side. While I understand the author was trying to have more fantasy-like names with Anjeea and Rozaro, but my daughter did struggle a bit with these. Finn, Moon, and Link as the main characters were perfect though. I like how the first page introduces the characters and what kind of magic they have. It's an interesting concept seeing mermaids having magic over sea creatures. I love the themes of friendship and teaching to never give up all throughout the book. There's also some Questions and Activities in the back for more learning opportunities.
Final Verdict: I would recommend this to early readers aged six and older who love mermaids, magic, and heroism. Most words are simplistic enough for those starting out on their first chapter books.
When Finn adventures to the wall with her friend, she's swept away into it and sees a vision of a Silver Shell. However, her mom claims it's hidden and she isn't powerful enough to wield it. For that reason, Finn trains harder than ever, especially when she discovers Rozaro is after it too.
SEARCH FOR THE SILVER SHELL is a new chapter book series for early readers that celebrate mermaids, friendship, sealife, and the enchanting allure of magic. Princess Finn is lucky to have friends like Moon and Link who remain at her side. While I understand the author was trying to have more fantasy-like names with Anjeea and Rozaro, but my daughter did struggle a bit with these. Finn, Moon, and Link as the main characters were perfect though. I like how the first page introduces the characters and what kind of magic they have. It's an interesting concept seeing mermaids having magic over sea creatures. I love the themes of friendship and teaching to never give up all throughout the book. There's also some Questions and Activities in the back for more learning opportunities.
Final Verdict: I would recommend this to early readers aged six and older who love mermaids, magic, and heroism. Most words are simplistic enough for those starting out on their first chapter books.
April 14, 2025
Big thank you to the author, Robin Yardi, the illustrator, Paul Kellam, the publisher, Scholastic, and Goodreads for winning a signed paperback copy of this chapter book, Search for the Silver Shell (Coral Keepers #1). I was given a copy of this book when I won another book by this author, Robin Yardi. This book was a surprise to receive, but I am super appreciative! I will share my review to Amazon and Barnes & Noble as well.
The first book in the Coral Keepers series is about a princess named Finn, a mermaid with magical powers. She is having a difficult time with getting through the process of becoming a Coral Keeper, and behind the scenes, an evil baddie is plotting to take power for himself. Finn must complete a mission with her friends in order to save the kingdom from the baddie. In saving everyone, surely Finn will be able to prove her worth as a Coral Keeper! This book is for readers from 1st to 3rd grade, independent elementary readers of chapter books. There are some illustrations throughout which are all very cute and provide great imagery and context for the story, as well as provide great breaks so that kids of that age will stay interested and be able to build their imagination by expanding on the pictures provided. Finn's friends are really sweet and helpful and the story overall is fun and entertaining. Would definitely recommend for kids who are interested in mermaids, magic, and marine life. Thanks again!
The first book in the Coral Keepers series is about a princess named Finn, a mermaid with magical powers. She is having a difficult time with getting through the process of becoming a Coral Keeper, and behind the scenes, an evil baddie is plotting to take power for himself. Finn must complete a mission with her friends in order to save the kingdom from the baddie. In saving everyone, surely Finn will be able to prove her worth as a Coral Keeper! This book is for readers from 1st to 3rd grade, independent elementary readers of chapter books. There are some illustrations throughout which are all very cute and provide great imagery and context for the story, as well as provide great breaks so that kids of that age will stay interested and be able to build their imagination by expanding on the pictures provided. Finn's friends are really sweet and helpful and the story overall is fun and entertaining. Would definitely recommend for kids who are interested in mermaids, magic, and marine life. Thanks again!
August 25, 2025
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Princess Finn dreams of becoming a Coral Keeper but it seems her shark magic just won't cooperate. Now the evil magician Rozaro is trying to steal the throne and it's up to Finn and her friends to save the day. Will she be able to control her magic and wield the silver shell?
A fun, fast-paced adventure with plenty of magic and action.
The magic system in this series is so interesting, with different characters having different types of magic (light, storm, turtle, etc.) I absolutely love the idea of shark magic and really enjoyed the different sharks that showed up in the story.
Wonderful black-and-white illustrations pair well with the story and help break up the text.
Great action. Love the characters. Interested to see how this series progresses.
Princess Finn dreams of becoming a Coral Keeper but it seems her shark magic just won't cooperate. Now the evil magician Rozaro is trying to steal the throne and it's up to Finn and her friends to save the day. Will she be able to control her magic and wield the silver shell?
A fun, fast-paced adventure with plenty of magic and action.
The magic system in this series is so interesting, with different characters having different types of magic (light, storm, turtle, etc.) I absolutely love the idea of shark magic and really enjoyed the different sharks that showed up in the story.
Wonderful black-and-white illustrations pair well with the story and help break up the text.
Great action. Love the characters. Interested to see how this series progresses.
April 10, 2025
My daughter and I loved this young readers chapter book. I love Fantasy books myself and this was such a fun read for both my young daughter and I. You cant go wrong with Mermaids, friendships, and learning to never give up. This is the kind of Fantasy book I enjoyed as a very young reader. My daughter had a fun time looking at the cute illustrations during her read in this book. We read through the book in one sitting as my daughter was very interested in finding out what happens in the end and couldn't put the book down.
January 10, 2025
3.5/5 - I thought this book had a good message about not giving up after “failure” and supporting your friends. But while I know this is an early reader book, I thought it was lacking a bit in world building. Things didn’t really feel totally clear to me. With that being said, I’m for sure saving this book for my daughter when she’s a little older.
Note: Thanks to scholastic for providing an early finished copy!
Note: Thanks to scholastic for providing an early finished copy!
June 30, 2025
Very exciting! This book was full of real shark species (which my son loves), baby sea turtles, and a really amazing villain. The messages surrounding friendship, practice, and believing in yourself were all positive and empowering. We just got book #2 in this series and we're both excited to start reading. The illustrations in both books are a huge draw for my son--he's already peeking ahead in book 2 to see what comes next...
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews