Hailey and Claire have
been friends forever. They are heartbroken that they will no
longer be together because Claire is moving away when summer ends. The girls spend every day going to the beach club that they've always gone to, trying to
make the days last. This isn't easy, as the summer seems to be slipping away faster the more
they try to hold onto it. The beach club is falling apart and being torn down, which
makes their impending separation seem that much harder. As the end of summer draws closer, a crazy
storm hits Cape Cod. When the girls go to the club in the morning, the abandoned
pool looks murky and disgusting. But that doesn't stop Hailey from diving right in, and what she sees changes everything. What are the chances of finding a
stubborn mermaid under the water? Is she
real or a figment of the girls’ imagination? Will they be able to grant the mermaid her one request before she agrees
to go back to the ocean? What exactly will happen at the end of the summer? Check out this beachy read to find out!
I read
Aquamarine by Alice Hoffman in just
one sitting, as it is only about one hundred pages. The story of friendship is one that
I think most people will be able to relate to, especially anyone who has ever
had to move away from their best friend. I could relate to how scary it can be to have distance in a friendship, and how the girls worry that somebody else might take their place. I like that Claire
and Hailey got to have one more fanciful event before they were separated from each other. I have never read a book with a mermaid in
it, so this short read was a good way to get my feet wet. I think this book
will appeal more to girls than boys based on the friendship between Hailey and
Claire and the mermaid aspect, but boys may enjoy it too. Kids between the ages of eight and twelve will enjoy
this fast read and long for some time near the ocean!
Has anyone else read Aquamarine? Or have you read another
book by Alice Hoffman We would love to
hear your thoughts.
Happy Reading!
~L
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Good way to get your feet wet, lol! Love it :) And wasn't this made into a movie? Why am I thinking that...
ReplyDeleteMeradeth- You are right- there is a movie. I haven't seen it, but I heard that the book and the movie are quite different. :) ~L
DeleteThis is a huge favorite with my 5th graders. I've bought several copies - they mysteriously disappear. I really need to get around to reading it.
ReplyDeleteLeslie- Glad to hear your 5th graders enjoy this one too. :) It is a really fast read. I read it in about an hour. ~L
DeleteI haven't read Aquamarine though the cover and the author's name sound familiar. (Thought Alice Hoffman writes adult fiction ...) I can fully relate to the anxiety of being far from your friends and being replaced, and look forward to reading this story. The story premise sounds good!
ReplyDeleteClaudine- You are right! Alice Hoffman typically writes for adults, though she has a few books for the younger crowd. Separation from friends can be scary! None of us want to be replaced. :) ~L
DeleteI have read this one (quite a while ago) and a couple of her others. Love what she can do with magical realism. Thanks! I am going to get her latest book, I think. It sounds really good and have been looking for an adult fiction read!
ReplyDeleteDeb- How wonderful that you have read this one, too! I hope her latest book is all that you want it to be. :) ~L
DeleteI'd heard of the book and the movie, but I haven't read or seen either. It sounds like a great story, though. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteCherie- I haven't seen the movie, but I am definitely curious about it! Thanks for visiting. :) ~L
DeleteI think I'm going to have to check this book out. I'm wanting to find more books about feelings (and less about science) for my nine year old to read.
ReplyDeleteChristyk- This would be a good one for your daughter because it touches on both feelings and science (but the science is light- ocean life needs to be in the ocean to survive). :) ~L
DeleteI love Alice Hoffman! How did I not know about this book? Sounds like a fun, magical read.
ReplyDeleteCate- Glad to hear you are a fan of Alice Hoffman's writing. She has two books for MG readers that both involve water themes. I haven't read the other one yet. :) ~L
DeleteI so relate to Hailey and Claire as I can remember what it was like to lose a good childhood friend who moved away.
ReplyDeleteTracy- I am sorry to hear that! I think it is something that most of us have experienced on one side or the other. :) Easy to relate to for lots of people! ~L
DeleteAw, great review. I haven't heard of this book before, but it sounds cute :) And short. I'm glad you enjoyed it. <3 thank you for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteCarina- It is an excellent short read. If you have an hour or a little more you can get it read. :) Thanks for visiting! ~L
DeleteI didn't know that Alice Hoffman wrote MG books. Interesting. I am always on the hunt for a good mermaid book, I will have to read this with my daughter in a couple of years.
ReplyDeleteHeidi- I don't think she has written many, but I know she has at least 2 MG books- both with water themes. This was my first mermaid book, but I would love to read more! :) ~L
DeleteI've been seeing more and more books with mermaids. I wonder if that's the new up-and-coming theme.
ReplyDeleteSherry- I think you might be right! I have been seeing more mermaid books too, though this is the first one I have read. :) ~L
DeleteActually, I saw the movie, streamed, with my daughter when we were having a mommy-daughter date. It was cute, and if the book is anything like the it, I know I'd love it.
ReplyDeleteCrystal- I haven't seen the movie, but I love that you and your daughter had a mommy-daughter date and watched it. How fun! I have heard the movie and the book are different, but I can't say for sure. If you get to read it- I hope you enjoy it. It is a very fast read! :) ~L
DeleteIt sounds like a great story. I'd heard of the book and the movie, but I haven't read or seen either.
ReplyDeleteEditors at Work- It is! I loved that I could read the whole thing in one sitting. :) ~L
DeleteI wold have loved this book when I was younger - so imaginative and cute. Thanks for the review! :)
ReplyDeleteLexa- Definitely a book that makes you think. It makes me want to look for mermaids. :) ~L
DeleteThis sounds like a wonderful read, especially for girls. Having your best friend move away is tough for a kid to deal with. My family moved from Pittsburgh to California when I was eight. My best friend and I became pen pals. We've kept in touch all these years, visiting each other a few times. So we've continued our friendship since I moved away almost 50 years ago. Wow!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your review of Aquamarine with us. Definitely a book I'd love as a kid and even now as an adult. This might be a fun one to read to my grandkids in a few years when they're old enough. :)
Lynn- I love that you and your BF kept in touch via mail and that your friendship is still going strong! How wonderful. I am sure if Hailey and Claire heard your story they would be very inspired. I know I am!
DeleteThe great thing about this is you and your grandkids could read it in a day or two- it is that fast. :) ~L
Gosh. I haven't read an Alice Hoffman book in a long time. This one sounds like a perfect rainy afternoon read. Thanks for telling me about it.
ReplyDeleteRosi- This would be a great book to read on a rainy afternoon- especially since there is a storm in the book. :) ~L
DeleteI've read some of Hoffman's books, but many years ago. I haven't seen this one.
ReplyDeleteMedeia- Glad to hear that you have read some of Alice Hoffman's books. I think this one is newer, but I am not sure. :) ~L
DeleteI have read some of her books too and remember reviewing one on my previous blog. Great writer who uses a lot of emotion.
ReplyDeleteThe Desert Rocks and Intangible Hearts- Awesome that you have read and enjoyed some of her books! ~L
DeleteDarn it! You're the third person to add a book to my wishlist today :-)
ReplyDeleteDeniz- My list is always growing too! :) ~L
DeleteI haven't read it, but didn't they make it into a movie? I watched part of it while channel surfing one weekend, but I was definitely not the target demographic, so I didn't watch much. :-)
ReplyDeleteJocelyn- You are right- there is a movie. I haven't seen it, but the word out there is that they are quite different. :) ~L
DeleteI guess I'm a little behind, I've never heard of the book or the movie. I'm going to have to check this one out. I like that it's a short read, too.
ReplyDeleteJanet- I hadn't heard of the movie either. I just came across the book recently and I was thrilled that I was able to read it in one sitting. I love a fast read! :) ~L
DeleteI've always dreamed of finding a mermaid. Darn. And now Hailey's gone and done it. :-)
ReplyDeleteLee- I have always dreamed of finding one, too! Wouldn't it be fun to be with someone who discovered a mermaid. :) ~L
DeleteI've never heard of this one. Appreciate the info! :)
ReplyDeleteGlad to introduce you to a new book, Karen! :) ~L
DeleteI have not read this book but it sounds like a nice easy read.
ReplyDeleteLady Lilith- It is! :) ~L
DeleteThanks for sharing your review with the Kid Lit Blog Hop!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read this one yet (though I have heard of it) but it sounds like a lovely, quick summer read!
Katie- Thanks for visiting! The perfect book to be read on a trip to the beach. :) ~L
DeleteWay cute story.
ReplyDeleteDonna- Definitely! :) ~L
DeleteLooks like a great summer read. i have not heard about this one. Thanks for sharing on KidLIt BlogHop
ReplyDelete-Reshama @Stackingbooks
Resh- Thanks for visiting! Aquamarine would be a great book for the summer. :) ~L
DeleteMy girls loved the movie but I don't think they read the book! I didn't realize it was a book! I'll tell them about it. Thanks so much for sharing at the Kid Lit Blog Hop! Mia from PragmaticMom
ReplyDeleteHi Mia- Thanks for stopping by! I hope your girls enjoy the book! :) ~L
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