A review by apostrophen
Aquamarine by Alice Hoffman

3.0

Basically, "Aquamarine" is a very short story where two girls realize their lives are changing: one is moving away, after both have lived beside each other for their entire lives, as best friends. This unwanted and unwelcome change coincides with the closing of the pool/park/cabana where they've enjoyed every summer together in their lives. A storm washes in, and a mermaid is left in the pool. What follows is a cute and deft discussion of change, realizing dreams, and growing beyond what you believed you could - or would - do in life. How Hoffman manages to layer so much emotional content into such short prose astounds me (and saddens me that I doubt I'll ever match that talent) but I'm sure this book would find a welcome niche in any young woman's bookshelf - especially those who aren't yet quite old enough to give up on magic.