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lovegirl30's review against another edition
4.0
Was pretty cute. Enjoyed it.
Buddy read. Audiobook.
Review to come.
Buddy read. Audiobook.
Review to come.
kfrickle's review against another edition
This book started off cute but it did drag on. The book could easily be cut shorter to about 200 pages. The reason I DNF is that in addition to it being a slow read, the book implied a relationship that I did not agree with, especially for a children's/middle grade book. It wasn't advertised as having LGBTQ+ characters, and I felt it needed to in order to help parents know exactly what their children are reading.
book_nut's review against another edition
5.0
Not bad. Great use of language, and a nice story, too.
alexthepink's review against another edition
3.0
Beautifully written, but SO frustratingly slow to get going. As an adult I enjoyed it (in the end) but I can't see many kids making it to the exciting bit! A wonderfully magical atmosphere and 5 stars for quality of writing.
abigailbat's review against another edition
4.0
A beautiful tale that combines the fantastic with real life on a hidden Texas shore. The prose advances and recedes like the tide, swirling in eddies just like the ocean that's so prominent in the story. Though while I was reading, it felt like the book was dragging in some parts, when I got to the end I could appreciate the beauty of it for what it was.
More to come on the blog. (Stay tuned.)
More to come on the blog. (Stay tuned.)
phoebebrooke's review against another edition
5.0
Here I am, left crying over a children’s book...again.
Kathi Appelt’s story crafting is just phenomenal. This one had a beautiful setting and wondering intermingling of reality and wonder. And so. Much. Love.
Kathi Appelt’s story crafting is just phenomenal. This one had a beautiful setting and wondering intermingling of reality and wonder. And so. Much. Love.
jessalynn_librarian's review against another edition
4.0
While The Underneath didn't quite hit the spot for me, I did admire Appelt's writing and wanted to give this a try. It's similar in approach - a slow, rhythmic, repetitive style that makes it one of those books you can't really rush through. Keeper is forced to be patient as she waits for the tide (and we get flashbacks into her awful day that led up to where she is now) and we are forced to be patient as Keeper's series of mistakes and accidents is revealed to us.
The characters really shine, both the humans and the animals - and believe me, animal books don't win me over easily. Throw in a handful of mermaid legends and a mystery surrounding Keeper's mother, as well as some fantastic illustrations, and we've got a winner. The patience it requires it well worth it.
The characters really shine, both the humans and the animals - and believe me, animal books don't win me over easily. Throw in a handful of mermaid legends and a mystery surrounding Keeper's mother, as well as some fantastic illustrations, and we've got a winner. The patience it requires it well worth it.
boureemusique's review against another edition
4.0
There were some lovely bits to this book, but just as many reviewers said, the pacing was a little off. I loved the deeper themes, the musings, the perspectives from other characters (sometimes nonhuman and sometimes not even "alive"). I love the risks Kathi took in making this book happen. I love how much she loves her characters, how diverse and beautiful they are, how Kathi weaves magical realism into the book so seamlessly that it seems natural. And, because I know Mrs. Appelt, I love hearing her voice in the words.