A book review of Real Mermaids Don’t Wear Toe Rings by Helene Boudreau.

            The first time I saw this book was at the library.  It looked really good so I checked it out, unfortunately I didn’t have enough time to finish more than half of it.  Later that year I saw it, and the sequel Real Mermaids Don’t Hold Their Breath, at a book store so I bought both of them.  I started the first one right away and finished it in less than a week.  It kept me reading which I liked, it had a fast pace, and the main character Jade is very easy to identify with. These are all things I liked. 

            What I didn't like is the last chapter.  After Jade saves her mother from the Freshies (mermaids that live in fresh water not salt water) everything is back to normal, almost.  She still has the problem of her being mother a mermaid and everyone thinking that she's dead; Jade is a mermaid, too; her BFF Cory is hanging out with a girl who thinks Jade is nothing more than a piece of trash.  In the end, Cory realizes the error of her ways and apologizes to Jade for ignoring her, sort of predictable but it was cute.  The pool party that Cory had been planning for the entire book was actually a surprise birthday pool party for Jade.  Jade's crush Luke was invited as a special guest and Jade is very happy.  She finds that he is a mermaid too and that he likes her too.  There is a lot of kissing in the end that might disturb some children and the stuff about getting periods and other more mature things might be lost on a younger child. 

            Over all this is a cute book.  But if you want something with more depth and personality to the characters then read The Tail of Emily Windsnap by Liz Kessler.

            Three out of five stars.