The Summer of Chasing Mermaids

Gr 9 Up—Ockler's breezy, seaside romance offers a modern spin on the classic tale of "The Little Mermaid." After a boating accident steals her voice, Elyse d'Abreau leaves Tobago and her superstar dreams to seek solitude with friends in Atargatis Cove, OR. Unable to confront the fact that she will never sing again, Elyse cuts herself off from family and friends, until playboy Christian Kane recruits her to serve as first mate in a boating race to save the Cove from being ruined by developers. The race forces Elyse to confront her fear of the sea and the legendary mermaid, Atargatis, who helps her rediscover her inner power. Despite being unable to speak, Elyse's lyrical and authentic voice shines through. Teens will relate to her struggle to find her place in a complicated world and applaud her efforts to fight back against the heartless powerbrokers threatening to destroy the Cove. The story unfolds at a leisurely pace, bogged down at times by ambiguous references to Elyse's past that take too long to reach a satisfying conclusion. Ockler builds a sizzling romance between Christian and Elyse, and both characters demonstrate a mature attitude toward sex. Elyse also develops a tender friendship with Christian's mermaid-obsessed little brother, and readers will root for him as he tries to overcome gender barriers. The thread of the mythical mermaid lends an atmospheric tone, though ultimately falls short, and the open-ended resolution may leave some readers scratching their heads.