Mermaid Park [Mass Market Paperback]

Beth Mayall (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 10, 2007

Sixteen-year-old Amy rush doesn’t expect much from her summer at the Jersey shore, until she stumbles on Mermaid park, an old tourist spot where girls dress in fabulous costumes and put on underwater shows. working at the park changes Amy’s life in more ways than she could have imagined. she finds romance, a newfound self-confidence, and discovers breathtaking revelations about long-buried family secrets.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7-10–Amy is not looking forward to a three-day vacation with her family at the Jersey shore, visiting her mother's godmother, Lynne, who owns a motel. The last thing the 16-year-old wants is be stuck with her mother, with whom she has been fighting; her difficult stepfather, who picks on her; her pretty younger sister; and her sister's friend. But when they arrive, she instantly connects with Dylan, a local boy who does odd jobs for Lynne, and discovers Mermaid Park, an underwater spectacular that features teenage girls in mermaid costumes. Amy then stays for the rest of the summer without her family and vows to become one of those swimmers. Mayall realistically portrays a conflicted teen who thinks that the world is out to get her. Readers will identify with her struggle to find herself, relate to others, and get over her fears in the 36-foot-deep tank. The other characters, including a beautiful friend, a grumpy boss, and a jilted boy, are believable as well. The interactions between Amy and her mother are painfully realistic, which makes the surprise ending concerning the girl's parentage even more meaningful. This is a good read that deals with real growing-up issues.–Carly B. Wiskoff, Great Neck Library, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 8-11. Fed up with her bullying stepfather and her own anger, 16-year-old Amy has miraculously received permission to spend the summer with a family friend, Lynne, who owns a seaside motel on the Jersey shore. Searching for work, she finds herself powerfully drawn to Mermaid Park, a fading tourist attraction with an underwater show. She talks her way into a cleaning job, and she imagines joining the girls costumed as mermaids, who perform underwater for the park audience. As the summer passes, she realizes her dream, meets a guy, and unravels astonishing secrets about her family. A few of the peripheral characters feel a bit like caricatures, particularly Amy's harassing stepfather. But Mayall deepens what could have been a routine novel with an evocative setting, magic, and authentically drawn Amy, who narrates in easy, compelling prose. Teens will easily connect with the story about young people learning who they are and how to grow past the faults they find in themselves and others. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Razorbill (May 10, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1595141375
• ISBN-13: 978-1595141378
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,394,141 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #88 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Family Life > Stepfamilies

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful!, August 9, 2005

By 

J. Molnar - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mermaid Park (Hardcover)

I bought this book for my teenage neice and decided to read it myself before giving it to her. I found it well written and fun reading. Any teenager will find themselves somewhere in this book. It expresses very well the range of teenage emotions and feelings. Although I am far from being a teenager I had to read it since I spent five summers working at the seashore as a teenager. The book just took me right back in time. It's not only a good summer read but I could just see someone cuddled up in a comfortable chair on a cold day reliving their summer experiences. It's really a very delightful book. I'll be giving it to the teens in my life for Birthdays and Christmas. I hope Beth Mayall decides to write some more. She has talent.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lively, engaging adventure for readers of all ages, December 22, 2005

By 

A Fan (Hollywood, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mermaid Park (Hardcover)

At first I was concerned about the geographical inconsistencies stated by another reviewer. Wildwood's bridge is actually a four-lane affair instead of two? The veracity of every book on my shelf was called into question. Can anything be real? Does this mean there's no Narnia? No Swiss Family Robinson? No -- gulp -- Winnie the Pooh?

Then I realized it's just a novel - this kind of gaffe would be notable in a AAA guide, but in a fiction story? Please.

"Mermaid Park" is a fast and pleasant read, full of fun characters and delightful twists. The lead character, Amy, is an excellent model for girls her age, struggling with romance, family issues, and her sense of self - and learning along the way that she's not perfect. Her time with the mermaids goes from fantasy to reality and back again, providing a fun journey for the reader while it propels the story forward. Girls in their tween to teen years will enjoy Amy's story and learn some valuable lessons. Readers of all ages will have a fun time visiting Mermaid Park.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!, August 29, 2005

By 

Misaacmom "misaacmom" (NC - United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mermaid Park (Hardcover)

What a wonderful book. It was an easy read, but the characters were well developed. Beth really captured the pain and delight of adolescence. Amy, the main character, tries to deal with growing up in a house a dysfunctional family. Most of her troubles center around her verbally abusive stepfather. A trip to the beach allows her to gain some personal space and discover herself without the roadblocks she faces at home. On this road to self discovery, she finds more than she bargained for.

I hope there is a sequel!