This one has been on the "to read" list forever. While I knew that it had been a popular title a few years back, and knew that it was Greek myth book (hit those Rick Riordan fans!) I had little idea how stunningly good this book was. More lyric than I would expect for a popular middle school book (with more frankness on sexuality than I would have expected), the concept of "rich" doesn't even begin to describe this book of literary excellence. And no, one doesn't usually associate popular books with books that English teachers like, but this one somehow manages to make the marriage work -- most probably because the lead character's voice is so compelling. Sirena is a mermaid. She is young, wistful, and a little foolish. She is a dreamer who doesn't just want love, she craves it. Using elements from Homer's Odyssey and tales of the Trojan War, Sirena comes across that which she desires. The question becomes, what happens when your dreams are fulfilled? This is a love story, a predictably sad one. It is most definitely not Disney. But it is a story told with grace and gentleness and beauty. There are five "parts" to the book. Each has the cover image preceding, but as the story progresses, each image is zoomed in. The final part has a close-up on Sirena's face, showing a plethora of emotions. For a simple tale, it was an amazingly complex read which had me running for "Greek Myths" by Olivia Coolidge. Those who have read the Percy Jackson books (comical, in comparison) will have more familiarity with the cast of characters, but still may not know the human at the center of this story. It definitely was a keeper -- a book I thought a lot about after I finished it and one that most definitely had me "turning the page." Fewer students have picked it up off the shelf lately -- time for a revival, I say.
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