The Sighting

Dark Waters #4

by Julie Gilbert, Kirbi Fagan (Illustrations)

India Finch, a part-human/part-mermaid teenager, normally only journeys underwater when she's called upon for her healing abilities. But bored and missing her mer friends, she decides to visit them without being summoned. She soon discovers that without a crisis, life underwater can be just as boring as life on land. To entertain themselves, the mermaids decide to combine all their powers together. This rush of energy creates an enormous tidal wave that threatens human life and puts the merfolk at risk when one of them is photographed. Can India keep the mer from being discovered? A glossary and discussion questions round out this Hi-Lo chapter book, perfect for reluctant and struggling readers.

Genres: Fantasy

160 pages, Paperback

Published March 1, 2017

About the author

Although Julie Gilbert’s masterpiece, The Adventures of Kitty Bob: Alien Warlord Cat, has sadly been out of print since Julie last stapled it together in the fourth grade, she continues to write.

Julie is the author of Cemetery Songs, a young adult novel about adoption, identity and the ghosts of the past. She has written several books for Capstone/Stone Arch Books, including the Dark Waters series and several titles in the Girls Survive series. Her novels consider themes of identity and belonging, along with a healthy dose of fantasy and magic. Her short fiction, which has appeared in numerous publications, explores topics ranging from airport security lines to adoption to antique wreaths made of hair. She is especially committed to diversity in her writing.

Julie is also a librarian. She loves working in libraries because she learns something new every day. Although she has also published extensively in the field of library science, her scholarship tends to have fewer plot twists and interesting characters than her novels and short stories.

Reviews

[Sid · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is perfect for children or for middle grade readers. The story is simple and entertaining with moral of the story. This book telling how confusing it is for India Finch life between following human rules or mer and mermaids way of living. Similar with aquaman, but India Finch experience is light enought but still have a lessons that perfect for young readers. The author also gave a questions behind for further discussion and some tips. Shout out for the illustrator and publisher for beautiful illustration and the paper’s material.

[Priscilla DelaPaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started to read this book yesterday on my on reading for school and I already finished and all the books and if the author reads this I want you to plz keep writing this series. I don’t normally read I never found it fun but when I read this series I fell in love with the books I loved the ending but I wish there were more books!!! These are my favorite series of book. I hope you read this.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Begins with India and her grandpa talking and thinking about her memories about how she first heard about the Mer, discovering her powers and developed friendships. (Feels like this should be the first book.)

Then a game of showing off almost turns deadly and India is banished.

Fave scenes: discovering she’s a healer, the dolphins help and the seal colony.

[Julie sims and books · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fourth book, omg this was a good middle grade story. Definitely, cute. I really enjoyed the characters and the bond. But the....ahh! I want more! Think this is last bk thou. Hope maybe one day be more to this story.

[Isabella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!!!