The Tail of Emily Windsnap

The Tail of Emily Windsnap follows a twelve-year-old girl who makes a life-changing discovery during her first swimming lesson. After living on a boat with her mother but never learning to swim, Emily's introduction to water reveals a secret about her true identity. Emily's transformation leads her on a search for answers about her past and her father's disappearance. She navigates between two worlds while keeping her newfound abilities hidden from her mother and classmates, finding friendship and adventure along the way. The story continues as Emily investigates the connection between her father's absence and the mysterious forces at work in her coastal town. Her quest brings her face-to-face with both danger and unexpected allies. This middle-grade novel explores themes of self-discovery, family bonds, and the challenge of bridging different worlds. Its mix of reality and mythology speaks to young readers who are discovering their own place in the world.

Readers describe this middle-grade novel as a fun mermaid adventure that appeals to 8-12 year old girls. Many reviewers note it helped get their reluctant readers interested in books. Readers liked: - Emily's relatable struggles with fitting in - The imaginative underwater world building - Clear, easy-to-follow writing style - Positive messages about friendship and self-discovery Common criticisms: - Plot predictability - Limited appeal beyond the target age group - Some found the pacing slow in the middle sections Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (55,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (1,900+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 4/5 Specific reader comments: "Perfect for young readers transitioning to chapter books" - Goodreads reviewer "My 9-year-old daughter couldn't put it down" - Amazon parent "Would have loved this at age 10 but found it too simple as an adult" - Goodreads reviewer

Ingo by Helen Dunmore A girl discovers her ability to communicate with dolphins while uncovering mysteries beneath the sea's surface.

The Lost Sisters by Holly Black A tale of two sisters who navigate the complex world between land and sea when one transforms into a mermaid.

The Secret Sea by Barry Lyga Three friends stumble upon an underwater world filled with merpeople and ancient secrets.

Aquamarine by Alice Hoffman Two best friends encounter a stranded mermaid in their beach club's swimming pool and help her find her way home.

The Forbidden Sea by Sheila A. Nielson A young island girl forms a connection with merfolk while searching for pearls to save her family from poverty.

🌊 Author Liz Kessler wrote this book while living on a narrowboat, drawing inspiration from life on the water for Emily's maritime adventures. 🧜‍♀️ The book sparked a highly successful series, with eight follow-up novels about Emily's adventures as a semi-mer published between 2004 and 2020. 📚 Though Emily discovers she's a mermaid at age twelve, the transformation only happens when she's in water - making her what's known in the story as a "semi-mer." 🌊 The idea for the book came to Kessler during a swimming lesson, when she imagined what it would be like if she turned into a mermaid instead of just swimming like one. 🎬 The film rights to The Tail of Emily Windsnap were optioned by Paramount Pictures, though the movie hasn't yet been produced.