Maybe a Mermaid

by Josephine Cameron

Farrar, Straus and Giroux has bought North American rights to Gills, a debut novel for middle graders by Josephine Cameron. Pitched as A Snicker of Magic meets Three Times Lucky, Gills follows 11-year old Anthoni Gillis as she searches for a True Blue Friend and a possible mermaid during one summer at the run-down Showboat Resort. Publication is set for spring 2019.

Genres: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Mermaids, Friendship, Childrens

288 pages, Hardcover

First published March 26, 2019

Reviews

[Shannon A · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughters are reviewing this book. 😊❤️

Mini me 1: I like this book because it was cool and it was full of secrets. It was also very surprising.

Mini me 2: I like the book because it had a mermaid in it. I like it there a lot of characters.

[TL *Humaning the Best She Can* · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this via goodreads giveaways in exchange for an honest review. All my opinions are my own. ,
----

This was an offbeat and quirky book (Where were all these books when I was in elementary school?) that had me smiling through the whole thing.

Its a fun story about Anthoni and her mom, both trying to find their way. Anthoni is looking for a True Blue friend and take care of her mom... her mom is doing the best she can to provide for her daughter and make ends meet.
(Bad grammar there? Yup, but too stuffed to care haha).

The Showboat was in the plan but not everything is as it seems. And some people surprise Anthoni in ways she wasn't expecting.

Loved Charlotte, she was a hoot and so much fun. We get glimpses into her life but I would have loved to learn more about her too (Compliment!). There were a few instances with her that tugged at my heartstrings. I just wanted to give her a big hug and sit with her for awhile.

DJ was a "weirdo" to the other kids *rolls eyes* He and I would have gotten along fine if I was that age. He was a Good Soul like Charlotte. That rock collection of his I would have loved to see.

The snippets of history we get throughout the book were interesting too, something I will look up later when I have more time. Reading little bits of this type of stuff sometimes make me wish I could travel back in time to witness it myself.


I would recommend, this is a wonderful novel not just for kids but for adults too in my opinion. Just kick back, relax, and have fun :).

Not alot to say but high praise really.. sometimes you just can't find all the words :).

[Laurie]

Have you ever had a good thing right in front of your face and you didn't realize it? Anthoni Gillis is in this exact situation. She has a plan to get a True Blue Friend, one that will always be with you through thick and thin, but so far in her eleven year old life, she has not found one. Her mom sells Beauty & Bee cosmetics and she is working her way up the company; however because of her success they have always moved around and Anthoni has never been able to make a true blue friend. When her mom surprises her with a summer trip to Thunder Lake and the Showboat Resort, where her mom grew up, Anthoni assumes it is because her mom is about to advance in the company. She soon finds out that it is completely the opposite. Her mom has not been following their plan and is slowly loosing control of her business. Antoni is furious with her mom but she meets Maddy, Juile, Kurt and DJ and instantly knows that Maddy is going to be her True Blue Friend. Little does she know that things are not always as they seem - when it comes to her friends and when it comes to the crazy lady, Charlotte, who runs the Showboat Resort. Will Antoni work her plan and make Maddy her True Blue Friend? What about DJ? He has been by her side the whole summer, but when he is pushed aside by Antoni's plan to make Maddy her True Blue Friend, will he be able to overcome his hurt feelings? Can Antoni's mom get her business plan back on track or will they be forced to come up with another plan? Don't miss this endearing story of family, friendship, and the persistence to get what you want out of life!

This is such a precious story of a girl who just wants a friend and then doesn't realize it when one is right in front of her face. It's also a story of a girl with a concrete plan and finding out that not all plans work out like you think. I love Antoni's work passion and her passion to find a friend. I also love that when her plan doesn't go the way she expects it to, she doesn't give up on her plan, she just reevaluates it. This is a must read book for 2019!
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[Gigi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summer always gives me beachy mermaid vibes, and this was the perfect summer read.

Carrie is a single mom trying to make ends meet by selling bee cosmetics. With all the moving around, Anthoni hasn't had a BFF since kindergarten and is hoping to meet her True Blue friend this summer at Thunder Lake.

During their stay at the magical Showboat Resort, Anthoni learns some hard truths about their current situation and friendship.

This was a fun and very well-written story with a great cast of characters, and a touch of mermaid magic. I loved DJ & quirky Charlotte.

I highly recommend this one for those who enjoy middle grade fiction. I think it sends a great message to young readers about friendship, having a positive attitude and never giving up, even when things go wrong.

[Michele Knott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this debut from author Josephine Cameron. A story that readers will love and with a main character, Anthoni, who is searching for her True Blue Friend in difficult circumstances. Although the reader can see what she is searching for is right in front of her, we take the journey with Anthoni and cheer her on the whole way. Featuring a dash of magical realism, it’s the belief of what could be that keeps us all going.

[Katie Reilley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and publisher for sharing an early copy with our #bookexpedition group!

A sweet story of friendship that middle grade readers will enjoy, Maybe a Mermaid follows 11 year old Anthoni who is looking for a True Blue Friend. Anthoni and her mom have just returned to the lakeside resort where her mom spent her summers, though its run down appearance looks nothing like her mom remembers. Readers will cheer for Anthoni as she faces challenges in finding that True Blue Friend and enjoy a bit of history as Vaudeville shows & events are mentioned. Coming in Spring 2019!

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A True Blue middle grade book on how to find a true blue friend and what being a true friend means!

I love the mother’s character. And yes, DJ too! They are outstanding characters!

The writing starts out good but it gets a bit repetitive in between. However, the story is really good! A good plot and character representation is so well done.

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This debut middle grade novel lives up to its cover and will be a delightful summer discovery for readers. You can't help but root for Anthonie and the quirky cast of characters she meets at the Showboat Resort. Maureen Boulay alone is worth the price of admission. Readers will learn along with Anthonie lessons about friendship, loyalty and looking below the surface for the truth. Highly recommended!

Thank you to Macmillan and NetGalley for a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I admit I judged this book by its cover and wanted to read it. Also, that it was set in a fictional summer resort in WI piqued my interest. This is a debut novel and it was just wonderful. Anthoni is the main character and she is on the search for A TRUE BLUE FRIEND. She has learned from her mother to be methodical and persevering so she applies these attributes to her quest. Along the way, she finds out what real friendship can look like (with the opposite sex/with someone across the generations) and how she may have been looking at the wrong person as her "target". I loved the magical aspects of the book and seeing Anthoni's mom's business struggles through the eyes of Anthoni. I hope there is a sequel in progress because these characters are solid!

[Maddy Riess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED IT!!!!!!

[Lynn Plourde · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful book--a plot that moves along (couldn't put it down during the last third of the book); great theme of true-blue friendship; rich, realistic characters; fun setting; touches of mystery and magic and mermaids. Hard to believe this is the author's debut book. She's an author to watch!

[Jill Williamson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tells the story of a girl and her mom who travel to an old camping resort on a lake. The girl, named Anthoni after her grandpa, befriends a quirky boy named DJ and an eccentric old lady who performed in a Vaudeville act with her parents when she was a kid. Anthoni is looking to make a True Blue friend, and that is her goal for most of the story; however, she also starts to solve an old mystery about whether or not a mermaid lives in the lake. This is a cute story and a fast read. I enjoyed how Anthoni learned that True Blue friendship doesn't always show up where you think it will. Great for classroom libraries.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

How is this a first time author’s work? Oh my goodness. What a lovely book. Relatable and quirky characters, a summer setting, and enough humor for two books. Please tell all your ES kids to read this one. Order it for your libraries. It’s that good!

[Oakley Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first this book was really weird and it ended up being really good!

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this poignant story of a girl searching for her True Blue Friend, Josephine Cameron's Maybe a Mermaid touches the heart and reminds readers what real friendship is all about. The pre-teen years are hard, and making friends can be torturous. Through her writing and characters, Cameron shows us that your friends are not always who you expect.

Anthoni and her mom always have a plan and the number one rule is to "Stick to the Plan". It's worked so far, so when her mom drags Anthoni to The Showboat Resort, a run-down, ancient, and practically abandoned hotel on the shores of Thunder Lake, Anthoni believes that everything will be OK if they stick to the plan. Her mom's business will get back on track, and Anthoni will make a True Blue Friend, something she's never had.

Only, the summer doesn't go exactly according to plan. Anthoni finds herself in a swim class with kindergarteners and is afraid to put her head in the water while the other kids her age are waterskiing around the lake. She chooses a Potential - someone she thinks should be her True Blue Friend and spends the summer trying to make it all work out. With the help of the eccentric lady who runs The Showboat and the misfit boy who lives up the road, Anthoni decides to give this friendship all she's got, only to discover that real friends aren't necessarily who you choose them to be.

This book seems a little quirky at first, but the characters develop as the story goes on and by the end readers will find themselves fully immersed in The Showboat Resort and rooting for Anthoni to find her True Blue Friend. The message in this book is perfect for any kids who struggle with making friends and any young middle grade reader would enjoy this story.

NetGalley provided me with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

thank you to the publisher for the review copy. All opinions are my own.

MAYBE A MERMAID transported me back to summer camp in Northern WI.

Anthoni and her mother spend a summer at her mother’s favorite childhood resort. They arrive to find it in decrepit condition and run by a strange and mysterious ex-Vaudeville star. Anthoni spends the summer trying to make a True Blue Friend, but she also finds herself drawn to investigate rumors that a mermaid once lived at the resort. The two goals converge in the end, and Anthoni ends up learning that True Blue friends often come in unexpected circumstances.

This is a well written debut from Josephine Cameron. It will appeal to kids who like oddball mystery, magic, and friendship stories.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the inaugural pick for our inter-generational book club consisting of my 9 year old daughter, her 40 year old mom (me!), and her mid-to-late-60 something grandma. I give this book a solid 4 stars for a middle grades novel. I found the story and characters engaging. As a Sconnie, I particularly loved the setting of the book on a small Wisconsin lake (NB- do a little research! You can easily discover the source of inspiration for the fictional town and resort!). I think the themes of establishing "true blue" friendships and the increasingly complicated dynamics of mother-daughter relationships at the middle grades age are well explored and represented.

[Katlyn Duncan · Rating 4 out of 5]

MAYBE A MERMAID, by Josephine Cameron, was a sweet little adventure story about finding a True Blue Friend, and creating a summer to remember. I loved the constant references in Anthoni and her mom's life relating to the direct sales business. This book grabbed my attention, and I really felt everything Anthoni went through. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an escape from reality for a little while.

[Rosemarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little girl named Anthoni? I wasn't at all thrilled with the main character's name in this book. Especially when it's revealed that her mom gave her that name because she was expecting a boy! What a lame excuse. But in spite of that most unfortunate name, Anthoni is a very relatable character and "Maybe a Mermaid" is a fun summer story. It brought back memories of family vacations when I was growing up, even though those were at the Jersey Shore, not a Wisconsin Lake. In fact, just the dust jacket art alone puts you in a summery mood. It's gorgeous and it's one of the reasons, along with the title, that I picked the book up and decided to read it.

This is not the story of a "real" mermaid, per say, but nevertheless, I think fans of mermaid stories may enjoy it. The book deals with what is real and what people choose to believe.

When Anthoni and her mom arrive at The Showboat Resort it's not exactly the "magical place" her mom had been describing. The place has become rundown since it was taken over by the current owner, a very strange woman named Charlotte Boulay who is known for having been a Vaudeville star.

Traveling around the country with her mom who sells Beauty & the Bee cosmetics has taught Anthoni a lot of things. The most importantly, never give up on your goals. Her mom makes action plans on how to win more beauty clients and Anthoni makes an action plan of her own.

More than anything, Anthoni wants a True Blue Friend. That means a friend that doesn't forget about her when she has to leave a city and move on with her mom. Lots of kids have said they would write when she moved away, but none ever do. Most of the time she hasn't been at a school long enough to make a lasting impression.

But this summer will be different. In town, Anthoni meets Maddie, a girl she knew when she used to live in Chicago. Anthoni has a plan to make Maddie her very first True Blue Friend. The plan gets a bit off track, though. And this is the only part of the book that I felt was a little contrived. Anthoni invades Maddie's privacy and makes Maddie mad at her. I really think Anthoni would be smarter than that...but whatever. To win Maddie back, she promises to show her a mermaid. She has been reading about a famous Vaudeville act called the Boulay Mermaid. She has even seen Charlotte Boulay dive into the lake and not come up for a long time - is she breathing underwater?? Could she be a mermaid? MAYBE.

The climax of this story is very well done. Presenting the mermaid to Maddie does not go as planned, but is very believable. Anthoni learns that she actually has made friends on this trip - even if they are not the one she was so desperately after. This book is good for young readers because it addresses many important issues relating to friendship in a non-corny or preachy way.

In the end, even though Anthoni had realized that she didn't need Maddie's friendship, I wasn't too sure what Maddie's feelings were. There was also a character named Julie that seemed to be left as a loose end. Throughout the book, Julie seemed to be giving lots of signs that SHE wanted to be friends with Anthoni, yet there is no word on what Julie's status is when Anthoni finally has to leave Thunder Lake.

I was actually hoping that Anthoni and her mom might not leave. I felt bad for the dilapidated state of the Showboat Resort and kind of wanted that to be addressed. I mean, why describe it in such detail if you are not going to do anything about it? I wanted Anthoni's mom to give up the Beauty & the Bee cosmetics business and maybe help Charlotte build up the resort. There's no mention of what will happen to the resort and that was something I really wanted to know.

But there is a lovely part at the end where Charlotte sends Anthoni fancy stationery and, in her over the top way, lets her know that she is expecting letters from her. She says, "Have you ever had a Pen Pal?" Probably most kids today have not. There is no mention of cell phones, texting or email in this book. I really liked the reference to Pen Pals since I have had a True Blue Pen Pal for the last 30 years. Anthoni's relationship with Charlotte is great because it teaches kids about things that may not be familiar to them, such as Pen Pals and Vaudeville. Most importantly, it shows that friends can be of all ages.

[Lola · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book from Tantor Audio and voluntarily reviewed it.

Contemporary Middle Grade isn't a genre I read a lot, but from the first moment I saw this book I wanted to read it, so when I got the chance to listen to the audio version I jumped on the chance. I am so glad I listened to this book as the narrator was awesome and I really enjoyed the story. If you're looking for a fun summer vacation read with a hint of the magical this is definitely one to check out.

Maybe a Mermaid is told from the point of view of Anthoni, she and her mom never stay in one place for long. She doesn't have any real friends and this summer while they're staying at the showboat resort she is determined to make a true blue friend. This is a lovely read, it brings back that vibe of holidays and making new friends. It's about truths, lies, seeing what you want, not seeing what you what's right in front of you and ofcourse friendships. But most of all this is just a very entertaining story.

I was swept away by this story. I liked Anthoni's voice. How she felt mature, but also very much like a kid in other ways. I liked seeing the way she viewed the world and her bond with her mom. I really felt her emotions, from her hope of making a true friend to her fear and happiness depending on the scene. I thought Anthoni's character felt very realistic, from the way she believed in her mother's stick to the plan attitude's and copied things she saw her mom do, but she's also very much her own person and I liked seeing her find her own way.

I liked the friendships Anthoni makes. She has her goal set on Maddie, who she was friends with a few years ago. They both like the same stuff and Anthoni just knows she will be the perfect friend, but it's hard to have Maddie see that too. Then there's this boy DJ she runs into who is a bit weird. And then there are her weird encounters with Charlotte. I really liked seeing how Anthoni dealt with things and how she grows and changes throughout the book. I thought she was a great character to read about.

I liked the characters in this book. Everyone had their own personality. I liked DJ how he was so unapologetic himself even while most people saw his as weird. Charlotte was such an interesting character and it was great seeing her from Anthoni's point of view and learning more about her as the story progressed. I liked how quirky she was and you never quite knew what she would do next. And then there were Maddie and Julie, who both have plenty of scenes with Anthoni as well. I wanted to see if Anthoni would become friends with them or not.

I liked the bit of magical realism that this story had. Anthoni doesn't believe in fairies or mermaids, but some mysterious events at the showboat resort do make her wonder. I liked this touch and hint of the magical. That hint of maybe. That magical feel of what if.

The narrator for this one was awesome. I really liked her voice and how she narrated this book. each character had a different voice. I liked how her voices for the kids were different than the ones she did for the adults and her voices for the boys were just as good as the ones for the girls. I am glad I picked up the audio version of this one as it was a joy to listen to.

To summarize: This is a great contemporary middle grade read with a touch of magical realism. It's about summer vacation and making new friends. It's about truth and lies and how to deal with those. And most importantly about making friends and what makes for a true friend. I liked the mystery of the mermaid as well as seeing Anthoni trying to make a true blue friend. And her interactions with various side characters. I thought the author did a great job with the characters and I thought she depicted the characters in a realistic way. I liked reading about Anthoni and seeing how she dealt with things and seeing her relationships with the people around her. I especially liked how she resolved things at the end. The ending was great and while it leaves a few things open ended, it ends on a hopeful note. The narrator did such a great job with this book and I liked all her different voices for the characters. It was a joy to listen to this one!

[Autumnal Hermione · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review may not be reproduced or quoted, in whole or in part, without explicit consent from its author.

I’ve been jotting down ideas for a review ever since I turned the last page, but my adult POV won’t do it justice. No one else could pitch it better than the eleven-year-old MC, Anthoni Gillis, so I’m just going to tap into her awesome list-making skills. Here goes:

WHY THIS BOOK IS NOT A MAYBE, BUT A MUST
by an enthusiastic Bookwyvern

1. You’ve read Bridge to Terabithia, and still like to imagine enchanted realms while hiking.
2. Aglaja Veteranyi had you enthralled by the world of circus performers in her Warum das Kind in der Polenta kocht.
3. You’ve felt deep nostalgia for camps you never attended IRL, after watching Indian Summer in the 90s.
4. Eerie Indiana kept you on the edge of your seat with stories of small-town cryptids.
5. The X-Men helped you learn the difference between fitting in and truly belonging.
6. You love musicals, and know various by heart. I’m looking at you, Cabaret and Little Shop of Horrors!
7. You’ve found kindred spirits in the most unlikely places.
8. Collecting rocks and old photos is something you’ve kept up in your adult years.
9. Ancient buildings invite your imagination to roam and weave stories.
10. You firmly believe middle grade books reach far beyond their age group.

Do you need more, or will you dive into Thunder Lake with Anthoni, DJ and Charlotte?

[Kevin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Competently written but lacks diversity in a way that feels deeply out of touch with the rest of publishing. I mean the only two people of color are announced first by their race, then their special talent (tap dancing), then by name - and at that they are thanking white folx for giving them a job.

Additionally there are some comments on the body of an older woman that didn't sit right with me.

Which is a shame because the pacing and emotional arcs of the characters are good, but it feels like it was written in a vacuum but not in a good way.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anthoni Gillis is looking for her true blue friend, and is hoping to find one on her vacation. Things don't go as planned, and there is a rumored mermaid in the lake. Realistic depiction of life when money is a problem.

[Trichelle De La Cueva · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this aloud to my kids. They enjoyed it, I liked it. I loved the message of friendship and inclusiveness. The background story of the older woman at the resort was a bit confusing at times but overall we enjoyed it.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

“A true blue friend had your back, always. It was that simple.”

Reading Josephine Cameron’s debut middle grade novel Maybe a Mermaid from 2019 was a must after I enjoyed her latest book, A Dog-Friendly Town, so much! This story of friendship, change, & hope was a 5-star read.

[kaya ♱ · Rating 5 out of 5]

ugh, i love it so much i have the weird urge to cry. it literally revived my inner child lmao. the summer vibes, mermaids, the characters, kids being kids? love it. was such a treat after so many dnfs lately.

[Maci Dierking · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so CUTE. I was surprised how much I enjoyed this adorable book. The audiobook in particular was very fun thanks to an awesome narrator. A delightful book about friendship, growing up and the bond between a mother and daughter. Complete with a little mystery

[Tonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Quirky book with great upper elementary character development
*discussion ideas: upstanding, true friend VS surface friends, family death, mental illness

[Samantha Ania · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was super cute and fun. I want to go to The Showboat Resort!

[papilionna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've somehow been feeling contemporary middle grade lately. I don't know, it's really wholesome and makes me feel like the world will be alright again eventually.