Of Salt and Shore

Gritty and suspenseful, this atmospheric fairy tale will capture the hearts of sturdy middle-grade readers.

The captivating supporting cast of characters—a mix of realistic, fanciful, and stereotypical—makes for a delightful read. This is the first U.S. edition of Schaap’s book, first published in the Netherlands to wide acclaim.

With this haunting story, author-illustrator Schaap weaves together elements remniscent of Andersen's "The Little Mermaid" and Burnett's The Secret Garden to construct a gothic fable. After a shipwreck occurs during a storm, 11-year-old lighthouse keeper's daughter Emilia Waterman, called Lampie, is taken from her father, who is blamed for the wreck. Inhabited by a bare-bones staff serving an absentee admiral, her bleak new cliffside home, the Black House, is reportedly haunted by a monster. Lampie eventually discovers that the "monster" is Edward, the reclusive, abrasive son of the admiral, who has scaly skin and a fish's tail. Over time, she befriends the boy she nicknames Fish, who's determined to learn how to walk on land despite his "deformity." After a visit to a traveling fair reveals clues about Fish's parentage, Lampie and her new friend wind up in an escapade that will change their lives. Formal language and multiple perspectives result in a narrative distance that, while appropriate for a fairy tale, betrays a lack of focus as the story develops. The inclusion of an era-appropriate "freak show," though delicately handled, may still disturb some readers. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 8-12. (Oct.)

Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

"Schaap's story of family, friendship, and loyalty is humorous, scary, and filled with goodness. The captivating supporting cast of characters—a mix of realistic, fanciful, and stereotypical—makes for a delightful read. This is the first U.S. edition of Schaap's book, first published in the Netherlands to wide acclaim." —Booklist (starred review )