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aoosterwyk's review against another edition
3.0
Excellent graphic novel for younger readers. Power of friendship and caring themes.
maryehavens's review against another edition
3.0
Hmmm...my favorite thing about this graphic novel was the illustrations. I love, love, LOVED the octopus. He was my absolute favorite. All of the fish and sea creatures were beautifully illustrated.
The story was o.k. I didn’t really “get” it. It was kind of a combination of folk tale/folklore and a regular story. It wasn’t until I read the author’s blurb that I understood it was supposed to be a folktale/lore story. Then I could see it but I didn’t get that vibe throughout. I honestly didn’t even like it until about halfway through.
The kids read it and liked it so I might just be the wrong audience.
The story was o.k. I didn’t really “get” it. It was kind of a combination of folk tale/folklore and a regular story. It wasn’t until I read the author’s blurb that I understood it was supposed to be a folktale/lore story. Then I could see it but I didn’t get that vibe throughout. I honestly didn’t even like it until about halfway through.
The kids read it and liked it so I might just be the wrong audience.
rebeshelton's review against another edition
3.0
Review of an ARC.
I'm not sure how appropriate this subject matter is for middle grade readers. Just because the author sugarcoats it into a nice mermaid story doesn't hide the fact that this is about abduction and abuse. On the other hand, it may be a good thing. To show how strong and resilient the human (haha) spirit is. I don't know though, I was pretty angry most of the way through.
Update 12-16-16:
I've had a day to think about this book and my reaction to it. It's not often that a book lingers with me after I read it so when it does I know that it's made an impact. I stand by the fact that I still don't think this is a graphic novel for middle grade readers. The story is about a young mermaid who lives in an independently owned aquarium. The aquarium owner plays Zeus to his visitors. The problem is that Fish Girl believes him and the stories he tells about her origins. Why shouldn't she? He's had her since she was a baby, of course there would be no reason that he would lie to her, right? Unfortunately for him, she begins to unravel the mystery and realizes just how controlling, manipulative and mean he's been to her. Having grown up witnessing several abusive relationships, this book struck a chord with me and I can't unwrap my mind from that aspect of the story to enjoy anything else about it. I'm proud of Fish Girl for escaping and choosing her own life. The outcome for her is a lot better than it is for most children who go through what she's been through.
I'm not sure how appropriate this subject matter is for middle grade readers. Just because the author sugarcoats it into a nice mermaid story doesn't hide the fact that this is about abduction and abuse. On the other hand, it may be a good thing. To show how strong and resilient the human (haha) spirit is. I don't know though, I was pretty angry most of the way through.
Update 12-16-16:
I've had a day to think about this book and my reaction to it. It's not often that a book lingers with me after I read it so when it does I know that it's made an impact. I stand by the fact that I still don't think this is a graphic novel for middle grade readers. The story is about a young mermaid who lives in an independently owned aquarium. The aquarium owner plays Zeus to his visitors. The problem is that Fish Girl believes him and the stories he tells about her origins. Why shouldn't she? He's had her since she was a baby, of course there would be no reason that he would lie to her, right? Unfortunately for him, she begins to unravel the mystery and realizes just how controlling, manipulative and mean he's been to her. Having grown up witnessing several abusive relationships, this book struck a chord with me and I can't unwrap my mind from that aspect of the story to enjoy anything else about it. I'm proud of Fish Girl for escaping and choosing her own life. The outcome for her is a lot better than it is for most children who go through what she's been through.
rdyourbookcase's review against another edition
3.0
I was intrigued by the storyline of Fish Girl. Also, I know that I saw a recommendation for it somewhere, and that’s why I put it on hold. Overall, I was underwhelmed by it. It seemed like a story that had been told before - similar to The Little Mermaid and Splash in some ways. In others, it was subtly dark and creepy. As far as the art, it wasn’t my favorite, but I didn’t hate it either. It fit the book, but didn’t really add to it.
guccigiang's review against another edition
2.0
Like “Little Mermaid,” which is already really overdone. Pretty boring, but I understand that the reading level is much lower than what I normally read. The art was just fine, but nothing fantastic. Maybe the fact that I read this digitally significantly affected my experience?
blathering's review against another edition
4.0
Gorgeous illustrations and an interesting take on the little mermaid tale but a little unresolved I think
daramillz's review against another edition
3.0
The artwork is lovely in this, but the story felt slightly unfinished.
brisotkovsky's review against another edition
4.0
Art was incredible. Story line was okay. But the moral was really cute.
tx2its's review against another edition
2.0
Reading 2020
Book(s) 122: Snapdragon by Kat Leyh and Fish Girl by David Wiesner
Get excited for two more graphic novel reviews coming your way. I have about 30 graphic novels in my car bin all clamoring to be read. I had to dnf a couple this past weekend. Did not hold my attention at all, no time for messing around. Library due dates looming, and in some cases lots of people waiting on hold for the books.
The first book is Snapdragon, and that is the main character's name, Snap for short. The women in her family are named for flowers, her mom is Violet, Vi for short. Not sure how to describe this book. Amazon calls it a "magical realist graphic novel". Snap befriends the town "witch" and the adventure begins. Snaps new friend is a boy who wants to be a girl, and his brothers make terrible fun of him for it, then there is the cutest dog, the roadkill, and the unknown family ties between Snap and the witch.
So I loved this graphic novel as well. It has been a streak of really good ones lately. It is reviewed for grades 4 and older. I loved all the characters in this book, they each have their own things they are trying to cope with in life. A few twists and turns I did not see coming, nor was I looking. Another 5⭐️ rating.
The streak of great reviews does sadly end here though. Fish Girl is the story of a "mermaid" that is on display in a boardwalk aquarium. She thinks that the guy that runs the show is really Neptune. One day a girl spots the mermaid in the tank, and the girl wants to be friends. The mermaid wants some freedom and independence.
This story went on too long for me, and was a bit weird. The art in the book is beautiful, the illustrator for the book is a Caldecott winner a few times over. I have to say the feeling of this book was Meh! My rating 2.5⭐️. The picture below is not my best, was in a hurry
Book(s) 122: Snapdragon by Kat Leyh and Fish Girl by David Wiesner
Get excited for two more graphic novel reviews coming your way. I have about 30 graphic novels in my car bin all clamoring to be read. I had to dnf a couple this past weekend. Did not hold my attention at all, no time for messing around. Library due dates looming, and in some cases lots of people waiting on hold for the books.
The first book is Snapdragon, and that is the main character's name, Snap for short. The women in her family are named for flowers, her mom is Violet, Vi for short. Not sure how to describe this book. Amazon calls it a "magical realist graphic novel". Snap befriends the town "witch" and the adventure begins. Snaps new friend is a boy who wants to be a girl, and his brothers make terrible fun of him for it, then there is the cutest dog, the roadkill, and the unknown family ties between Snap and the witch.
So I loved this graphic novel as well. It has been a streak of really good ones lately. It is reviewed for grades 4 and older. I loved all the characters in this book, they each have their own things they are trying to cope with in life. A few twists and turns I did not see coming, nor was I looking. Another 5⭐️ rating.
The streak of great reviews does sadly end here though. Fish Girl is the story of a "mermaid" that is on display in a boardwalk aquarium. She thinks that the guy that runs the show is really Neptune. One day a girl spots the mermaid in the tank, and the girl wants to be friends. The mermaid wants some freedom and independence.
This story went on too long for me, and was a bit weird. The art in the book is beautiful, the illustrator for the book is a Caldecott winner a few times over. I have to say the feeling of this book was Meh! My rating 2.5⭐️. The picture below is not my best, was in a hurry