Rani in the Mermaid Lagoon (Disney Fairies) [Paperback]

Lisa Papademetriou (Author), Judith Clarke (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up

Rani doesn't fit in. Ever since she had to cut off her wings to save Mother Dove, she doesn’t feel like she belongs with the water talent fairies. In fact, without wings, she doesn’t feel like she belongs with any fairies at all. Rani sets off on a perilous journey to find a home, a journey that leads her underwater, deep into the lagoon, where the mermaids live. Maybe there Rani will discover who her true friends are!

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Random House Childrens Books (April 25, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0736423753
• ISBN-13: 978-0736423755
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.5 x 7.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #339,492 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #33 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Obsessions > Mermaids

More About the Author

Lisa Papademetriou is the author of Sixth-Grade Glommers, Norks, and Me (named one of the Best Books of 2005 by FamilyFun.com ) and co-author (with Chris Tebbetts) of M or F? She has written and/ or adapted over thirty books for children and young adults, including titles in the Lizzie McGuire, That s So Raven, Kim Possible, and Sweet Valley High Senior Year book series. She lives in Northampton, Massachusetts, with her husband, where she enjoys quilting, dancing around the house to eighties music, playing the guitar (badly), and drinking large amounts of coffee. Her next book, The Wizard, the Witch, and Two Girls from Jersey will be published in May 2006.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THIS BOOK IS SO TOTALLY COOL!! IT IS A MUST TO READ!!, May 6, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Rani in the Mermaid Lagoon (Disney Fairies) (Paperback)

Reporter's Opinion: I thought this book was awesome! I love all of the Disney Fairy books, but this one was great!

Summary: Rani previously cut off her wings to save Mother Dove, and Neverland, but now, she was the only fairy without wings. Even though Brother Dove let Rani ride on his back to get to where she needed to go, she felt like she didn't belong with the water-talent fairies anymore, but once she messed up the whole party, she felt like she didn't belong with any fairies at all! So, she decided to move to Mermaid Lagoon. When she got there, all of the mermaids were so excited to have a fairy, but once one of the mermaids, Oola, showed everyone her new ring, everyone forgot about Rani. Rani, then met a sea horse, and he got her a glowing pearl. Then, Rani went back to Pixie Hollow, and they had a party for her. They even made a dance with no flying! All of the light-talent fairies were so happy that they can now light up the water fountain with the pearls, and Rani got to put the jet on the top of the fountain. Rani was an official water-talent, and light-talent fairy. Rani felt like she really belonged in Pixie Hollow.

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not the Best in the Series, September 20, 2006

By 

Amy Graham (Scottsdale, AZ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rani in the Mermaid Lagoon (Disney Fairies) (Paperback)

I can't say I actually cared for this story. It's a typical misunderstood, poor-pitiful me story of Rani who feels very un-fairy like since she had to cut off her wings to save Mother Dove's egg. I actually read this one after Girl, if I had read it first, I may not have let her read it. Rani feels she doesn't fit in and runs away...how typical, instead of finding a friend or elder to talk to or a new place in the fairy hierarchy, he just runs away into the night. Yes, this is the message I want my 8 year old daughter, preparing for her tween and adolescent years to read...you don't feel like anyone understand you...you don't fit in...why don't you run away then and have an adventure. You'll show them, and when you finally realize that you miss home and want to come back...of course they'll all throw a party for you because they missed you so and running away was the best thing to do at the time.

The story does demonstrate how home and her friends/family is the best place for her, after she is attacked by a water snake, left alone in a deep abyss by the selfish and vain mermaids who treat her like a possession or trinket (gee, wonder what that could be alluding to in the "real world"), and being led to go back home by a sea horse and his own love for his family.

This just doesn't work for me and I think it's the wrong message to be sending to readers of this age. I know, I know...literature through the ages is chock full of run away kids who learn the best lesson of all (there's no place like home...). I suppose if one uses it as fodder for discussion about other things Rani could have done it'll be with having read it. I give it a C, simply because I don't think presenting running away as an adventure and having it be rewarded with a party in the end is really the best message to be sending young readers.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 4 1\2 stars- It is a great book!, May 9, 2006

By 

T. Distaso (North of Boston) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rani in the Mermaid Lagoon (Disney Fairies) (Paperback)

The ONLY reason I gave it 4.5 instead of 5, is because the other 4 fairy books are better in my opinion.
This is still a great read, just seems to lack some character depth, and has a little less "fairy magic" then the first 4 books.