Mermaid School: The spooky shipwreck by Lucy Courtenay. Illus. by Sheena Dempsey

The Spooky Shipwreck is book six in the Mermaid School series, however this is the only one I have read and it was fabulous, definitely a series I would be looking at if my children were younger. 

Marie Blue and her friends are going to CORAL, an activity centre with lots of fun things to do and they get to spend the weekend together playing with the water catapult, singing around the bubble fire and having midnight snacks. The only problem, Marnie is scared of the shipwreck that lies nearby as she has heard lots of ghostly, scary stories about it. 

Although she is scared, Marnie heads off to camp with her friends hoping that there aren’t too many ghost stories or spooky happenings. This book helps children to see what happens when they face their fears and have a good friendship group.  When Marnie is trapped in the 'haunted' shipwreck her friends help her to be brave and discover the secret of the shipwreck. 

This is a great book and if this is any indication, a great series for young children.  It would work as a read aloud, class novel or independent read. The book really looks at how some people can be nice normally but do mean things at times of stress or worry.  It also shows that these people and their actions do not define you as a person but that good friends really help you when you need it and this is one of the reasons that I like the book. The author and illustrator have worked to create an easy chapter book with characters that will make the reader reflect on the people in their life and the magic of mermaids and undersea camp adventures.  This is definitely a book worth having on your shelf and reading with all children. 

Themes: Fantasy, Humour, School, Friendships, Adventures, Mermaids.

Mhairi Alcorn