The Secrets of the Last Merfolk by Lindsay Littleson. Kelpies, 2021. 9781782507376
Rating: 1- 5 (5 is excellent or a Starred review) 4
Format: Chapter book
Genre: Fantasy
What did you like about the book? This imaginative story follows two young teens (Sage and Finn) as they hear a mysterious song that draws them toward the sea. They discover that they have each heard this song and one even saw a person with fins for feet swimming. But merfolk aren’t real… are they? Upon investigation, they meet two young merchildren who ask for their help. The treacherous Great Eel has found the merfolk after a thousand years and their whole population is in danger. Can these two teens help the merchildren save their race? It’s full of great descriptions of family dynamics, the merfolk, the sea (and near-drowning) and a little political/environmental clashing.
Anything you didn’t like about it? There were lots of foreign expressions; the language required a lot of explanation for my kids. If a child were to read this on their own, it would have been great to have footnotes.
To whom would you recommend this book? Fantasy lovers ages 10-15
Who should buy this book? Parents and librarians
Where would you shelve it? Children’s chapter books
Should we (librarians/readers) put this at the top of our “to read” piles? no
Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City: Vicky Tandy, Athol Public Library, Athol, MA
Date of review: November 1, 2021
Youth Services Book Review 
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