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― Alice Hoffman, Aquamarine
I can't believe I have not reviewed this yet! This is really best read bu children and young adults but any age can enjoy it.
I love the concept of two best friends who find a mermaid outside and befriend her. Sometimes one just needs to jump into a book that is at once whimsi
"They were beautiful shells, as white as the surf in the sea. When you held one up to your ear you could hear the sound of your best friend talking to you, even if she was a thousand miles away."― Alice Hoffman, Aquamarine
I can't believe I have not reviewed this yet! This is really best read bu children and young adults but any age can enjoy it.
I love the concept of two best friends who find a mermaid outside and befriend her. Sometimes one just needs to jump into a book that is at once whimsical and fun. That is exactly what Aquamarine is and man did I enjoy it.
I also have always had a fascination with the sea and yeah, mermaids are pretty interesting as well. Even though this is a young adult book, Cmon adults! Treat yourselves! Plus after all the dark and disturbing mysteries and literary fiction I read, I like a fun sweet ethereal book like this.
Aquamarine is at once an homage to the ocean, to what and who live in said ocean and to the power of friendship and its bonds. I'd really recommend it.
Oh and FYI..this lovely little story is also a movie and works just as well on screen so if you are ever flicking around TV stations and find it one night..it's a pretty fun movie as well. Four stars.
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Setting:Capri Beach Club (state not specified); 2001
Cover Thoughts?:MER- MAID! In the shadows! But it's kind of boring. I like my mermaids to be sparkly and bright instead of dark and in the shadows.
Plot:
"Both Hailey and Claire had the feeling that something was about to happen, in spite of how much they wanted their lives to remain the same."
Hailey and Claire have been best friends since birth. They've done everythi "She dreams of the ocean late at night and longs for the wild sea air."
Setting:Capri Beach Club (state not specified); 2001
Cover Thoughts?:MER- MAID! In the shadows! But it's kind of boring. I like my mermaids to be sparkly and bright instead of dark and in the shadows.
Plot:
"Both Hailey and Claire had the feeling that something was about to happen, in spite of how much they wanted their lives to remain the same."
Hailey and Claire have been best friends since birth. They've done everything together, and spend their summers at the Capri Beach Club, admiring the cute lifeguard Raymond. But that's all about to change when Claire finds out that she'll be moving with her grandparents to Florida. A lifelong friendship on the line, Hailey and Claire are desperate to keep Claire from moving. Even worse, the Capri Beach Club is getting demolished. All these events have been leading to one sucky summer. That is, until they spy something strange in the water. Her name is Aquamarine, and she's a mermaid. Needing to get back to her own world, but wanting to find love in the human one, Hailey and Claire do everything in their power to help their newfound friend. Will they be able to help her? And will they be able to maintain their friendship, despite living so far away from each other.
If I could describe this in one word, it'd be cute. Fluffy, a quick read, and cute. Yeah, there's no actual real plot and the holes in the story are as big as Swiss cheese, but it was a nice, slice of life book. It reminded me of lazy summer days spent by the pool when I was younger. When I pretended to be a mermaid swimming through the water and was obsessed with The Little Mermaid. The friendship aspect of the story was SO CUTE, even if the romance was severely lacking. You could probably finish this in a day, and I dare you not to remember your own summer days as a kid while lost in the pages.
Characters
"For although Hailey thought nothing or leaping the highest diving platform or swimming so far out to sea that she disappeared from sigh, she was easily frightened by other things- a future she couldn't control, for instance, or the notion that a lifelong friendship might be lost at the end of the week when the Capri closed down for good and Claire moved away."
Well, since these two are attached at the hip, I'll include them both here in my summary!
"As for Claire, she was quiet and shy and as afraid of the water as Hailey was drawn to it."
Hailey and Calire represent the innocence of childhood/pretween friendship. When they're not too old to believe in magic and bonds of friendship and mermaids.
They'll remind you of you and your own best friend as you read about their escapades.
"The mermaid's name was Aquamarine and she was much ruder than most creatures you might find at sea… She's been indulged and cared for and allowed to act up in ways no self-respecting mermaid ever would."
Aquamarine is like a petulant version of Ariel, but she does mellow out in the end, in the short amount of time of this book. Of course, she's the youngest in a family of mersisters who wants to see the human world. And she does, but she needs to find her handsome man to love her back (not necessarily to become a human).
"Raymond was packing his books when they found him.. He's read one hundred and twenty books during his time at the beach. All the same, he wasn't sure he'd read quite enough to go to college. "
You see this sentence right here? This is pretty much the only thing that describes Raymond. This is Raymond in a nutshell. He's a VERY flat character. Nice enough, I guess, but he's just not all that interesting, to be honest. Though I do admire his love of reading. And can he please tell me his secret to reading two hundred books over the course of three months? That's just not fair!
Pros:This was a super cute read
Cons:All the characters were pretty much one dimensional and flat affect with no real defining characteristics. So it can make for a bit of a dull storyline.
Love Triangle?:Nope!
Instalove?Yes! I mean, Raymond and Aquamarine go on ONE DATE and then they're a couple who will be together forever. Really?!
A Little Romance?:
"No mermaid wants to fall in love with a human, but it was already too late for poor Aquamarine to be sensible."
Well, this is a bit hard to explain, since this isn't your typical "mermaid must fall in love with a human or she'll disintegrate" type romance. In fact, the reason for this romance isn't clearly explained. I'm just assuming this is the case, since Aquamarine seems so desperate for Raymond to love her. But it's not defined at all. Blink and you'll miss it!
Conclusion:I definitely thought this was a cute mermaid story, and this would definitely appeal to younger readers (guestimating 8-13). Keep in mind that there's no plot whatsoever with no direction in mind. But it's an easy breezy read for the summer, or anytime. You'll blow through this book in about an hour.
Watch This!:Back in the Golden Age of innocent teen movies (the early 2000s), Hollywood decided to make a movie version of this book. Starring Sara Paxton, Emma Roberts, and Jojo, it's considerably different from the book (so you've been warned). I would say that unlike the book, this is more targeted at older teens, but it's also suitable for families to watch. But be sure to check it out if yu want to be transported back to a time when teen movies were full of cheese and dystopian genres of teen movies were unheard of.
Hoffman, whose adult work seems to straddle the line between fantasy and "chick lit," made her first foray into the world of children's literature with
Aquamarine, which is short an Best friends Hailey and Claire spend their last summer together before Claire moves away at the old Capri Beach Club, where they discover the mermaid Aquamarine in the unused pool one day. Their efforts to return her to the sea before her demise parallel their struggle to come to terms with their impending separation.Hoffman, whose adult work seems to straddle the line between fantasy and "chick lit," made her first foray into the world of children's literature with
Aquamarine, which is short and unremarkable. I understand that mermaids hold a strong appeal for a certain segment of our young population (for me, it was dragons), but surely there are better works out there...? The Emily Windsnap series by Liz Kessler, for instance, or Mollie Hunter's The Mermaid Summer . ...more
"Anything is possible," Aquamarine told him, and when the girls looked at her face, they knew that this was true.
This story is short and sweet. This makes me nostalgic, I read it when it came out like in 2001. I still wish it was about three times longer, like an actual novel, but it's a cute story with some beautiful imagery.
"I don't think that's possible." Raymond shook his head. He'd read so many books that he thought he knew how every story ended."Anything is possible," Aquamarine told him, and when the girls looked at her face, they knew that this was true.
This story is short and sweet. This makes me nostalgic, I read it when it came out like in 2001. I still wish it was about three times longer, like an actual novel, but it's a cute story with some beautiful imagery.
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Although with that said, unlike Hoffman's adult novels that I've read so far, this isn't all doom and gloom and depressing, so there's that.
This was a middle grade story that takes place over one summer where two 12 year olds come across a mermaid, who with one glance, decides she is "in love" with the guy who works at the run down beach club they are at. And that's all that I have to say about that.Although with that said, unlike Hoffman's adult novels that I've read so far, this isn't all doom and gloom and depressing, so there's that.
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I loved the movie adaptation as a kid and I'm pretty sure I'd still like it a lot now.
The movie adaptation is much better than the book, in my opinion. I find the book kind of dull and unoriginal but maybe kids would enjoy it better than 23 year old me..I loved the movie adaptation as a kid and I'm pretty sure I'd still like it a lot now.
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Things that truly bothered me:
- this book.
- the characters.
- the plot.
Alright, the book as a whole was just plain bad. The plot and the characters made it painful to read. It was just awful. As far as I can tell, ther
I had just finished reading Bridge To Teribithia by Katherine Paterson, and, on a whim/book-induced high, I picked up my copy of Aquamarine that I had bought in 2006 as a young girl. I had never read it before today. Well, that was a mistake. It was, quite honestly, a waste of time.Things that truly bothered me:
- this book.
- the characters.
- the plot.
Alright, the book as a whole was just plain bad. The plot and the characters made it painful to read. It was just awful. As far as I can tell, there really wasn't much of a plot to begin with, but rather an unoriginal idea. How many books are there about best friends moving away? Hmm.. let's just throw an irritating, conceited Mermaid into that and, BAM, we have a completely new & fresh idea. Gaaah. What is wrong with people? The characters were so unbelievably flat and stupid that I cannot believe this book was published. Claire & Hailey were just stupid, Raymond was a tool [he didn't do anything to make the plot progress, he was just sort of there], and Aquamarine was a bitch. The book may be centered around a mermaid, but, the book isn't really about the mermaid/fantasy whatsoever. Just about two girls who are flatter than a piece of paper. There was no depth at all and I was bored out of my mind while reading it.
There is such a lack of depth with this book that I cannot write a proper review because, well, there's NOTHING to write about.
I think this is the worst book I have read to date. Legit.
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This book also reminded me of Hoffman's Green Angel. I'm guessing Water Tales is probably for middle grade readers, and the Green Heart novels, of which Green Angel is the first, is more Young Adult. The two novels in the Green Heart series are also short, but they're more complex, and there's more poetry in the writing. (My opinion.) I THINK they were written after 9/11.
Also, last year we had our first Annual Alice Hoffman Blog Hop to celebrate her birthday. (March 16th, she's a Pisces!) It was an intimate and emotionally intense experience as ten readers and writers gushed about what Alice Hoffman's work means to us. Check it out, and join us on March 16th!
http://heidigwrites.blogspot.com/p/al...
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A quick read of the lower middlegrade variety. Scanty on depth, and to
Hailey and Claire (next door neighbors and besties) wish summer would last forever, because when it ends, everything will change. Their favorite beach club is being torn down, and Claire is moving away. They dread each day's passing until a storm blows a mermaid into the beach club's pool. Then they have a new project to distract them from their woes, because the mermaid has fallen in love with the boy who runs the snack bar.A quick read of the lower middlegrade variety. Scanty on depth, and too much discourse for my tastes. More like the summary of a story than a reading experience. May appeal to young girls with a mermaid craze.
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By Alice Hoffman
2001
Scholastic Read 180
Hailey and Claire have grown up together, looking forward to the summers they spent together hanging out at the Capri Club. Now the aging club is being torn down to build a bird sanctuary, they watch as it is being torn down. All that remains is the snack shack, run by Raymond, a friend of the girls. One day Hailey jumps into the murky waters of the dirty pond and she sees a mermaid named.....Aquamarine. The girls want to save her, and Raymond i
AquamarineBy Alice Hoffman
2001
Scholastic Read 180
Hailey and Claire have grown up together, looking forward to the summers they spent together hanging out at the Capri Club. Now the aging club is being torn down to build a bird sanctuary, they watch as it is being torn down. All that remains is the snack shack, run by Raymond, a friend of the girls. One day Hailey jumps into the murky waters of the dirty pond and she sees a mermaid named.....Aquamarine. The girls want to save her, and Raymond is fond of her. Life is looking good for Aquamarine.
This is a sweet and heart -warming story, written for middle grade students. I found it charming and a very good quick read.
It was about a mermaid and how she got washed up on shore and wakes up in a pool. She
My thoughts about reading this book was that it is a very good book. I liked it because it is fiction. It is a cool story about a mermaid, and how she got lost and fell in love with a human, and became friends with Chloe and Hailey. The two girls want to help her get back home, but Aquamarine doesn't want to go back home until she meets Raymond. I liked this book a lot. It is kind of a kids book, but it's fun.It was about a mermaid and how she got washed up on shore and wakes up in a pool. She fell in love with Raymond, and really wants to meet him. Chloe and Hailey are trying to help her get her back home, but she doesn't want to go back home until she meets Raymond. So the girls ask Raymond if he will meet her and he said yes, but the girls didn't tell him she was a mermaid. All he knows is that she was Chloe's cousin from far away. So the girls got a picnic ready and after a while, the girls saw that Aquamarine was getting weak and so they got her out of there and put her back in the pool. Raymond was sad because he liked her, and she liked him. The next day Raymond found out she was a mermaid. he said goodbye to her and distracted the owner while Chloe and Hailey get her out of the pool and back to the ocean where her three sisters were waiting for her. That night Hailey had to move and Chloe was upset because Hailey and Raymond were moving to Florida. Where Raymond found Aquamarine and fell in love and Chloe made new friends but her and Chloe were still best friends.
I recommend this book to elementary kids or anyone who likes mermaids. It is a very fun book. It tells us some cool interesting things about mermaids. I liked the book so I think that the little kids would too. It is fiction and some little kids like fiction. It is about a mermaid. I would recommend this to elementary girls.
...more Aquamarine Review by Ali Inzunza
Alice Hoffman
Aqua, a mermaid who has the ability to turn into a human, has struggled trying to fit in like the rest of us. The author Alice Hoffman expresses the trials and tribulations that one has to go through to find true love. Along the timeline of this book, Aquamarine finds herself having to choose between love and friendship. She creates enemies, and lifelong friends. This adventurous, tear jerking story was published in 2001. Its genre falls along
Aquamarine Review by Ali Inzunza
Alice Hoffman
Aqua, a mermaid who has the ability to turn into a human, has struggled trying to fit in like the rest of us. The author Alice Hoffman expresses the trials and tribulations that one has to go through to find true love. Along the timeline of this book, Aquamarine finds herself having to choose between love and friendship. She creates enemies, and lifelong friends. This adventurous, tear jerking story was published in 2001. Its genre falls along the lines of romance and fiction.
The main character Aqua is washed up into a Florida homeowners house after a treacherous storm. She must find love in three days or else her father brings her back to the sea. Will she find love in time? Or will her father take her back into the sea to live the rest of her miserable life with the man she does not want to marry. Her two best friends that she meets on land are Hailey and Claire. They take Aqua under their wing and show her what it is like to be a human. One causal afternoon, Aqua takes a walk on the beach and sees a handsome boy named Raymond. All of the girls want him, and think that he is absolutely beautiful and amazing. Raymond asks Aqua on a date and they had a prolonged connection. When she goes back home she receives a call from her father, asking if she has fallen in love. How does the conversation end? Is she really in love? Throughout the end of the story she faces several conflicts which are awaiting you at the end of the book.
This adventurous story really caught my eye because of the wide variety of jovial characters. For those who are interested in romance and friendship, Aquamarine is a perfect "tail" for you! I would recommend this terrific book to kids of all age groups.
I decided to read Aquamarine because I have watched the movie and thoroughly enjoyed it so I decided to read the book. When I found the book I couldn't wait to read it and it wasn't a very long story so I read it quite quickly.
What category on the bingo board this book completes?
Aquamarine completes the fantasy book on the bingo board. I enjoy reading fantasy stories and this story was about Mermaids so it was very interesting to read and find out more things ab
I decided to read Aquamarine because I have watched the movie and thoroughly enjoyed it so I decided to read the book. When I found the book I couldn't wait to read it and it wasn't a very long story so I read it quite quickly.
What category on the bingo board this book completes?
Aquamarine completes the fantasy book on the bingo board. I enjoy reading fantasy stories and this story was about Mermaids so it was very interesting to read and find out more things about a mermaid.
My favourite quote from this book is:
The quote in this book that I liked is a very common quote. "Anything is possible" I think this quote is so true and anything can happen. But the reason I liked it so much was the mermaid said it to Raymond who she was leaving behind. A mermaid is a make-believe thing but she is saying that anything is possible.
Something I learnt from this book?
I learnt that I should use my time wisely. During the book the two main characters are cherishing the time they have together but its still goes by to fast. So I learnt that I should use up all the time I have doing things I love and not regretting the things that I do.
A character that interested you?
Aquamarine was a character that interested me because she was head-strong and stubborn but only because she was different and didn't like people staring at her. But when you got to know her she was kind and loving. She interested me because she didn't give up on what she wanted. She was opeful and even though she was going away she still had faith that they would meet again.
The "main" two girls are flat. There's the brave one and the scared, smart one. How innovative.
Next there's the dreamboat snack shack guy. He's attractive, likes to read, and going to college soon. Okay.
Annnnd then there's the mermaid. She's rude, selfish, and greedy. I was at least expecting her to develop a little throughout the book, perhaps learn a little humility, or that sometimes you
I'm not really sure what I expected this book to develop into, but I was still disappointed in the result.The "main" two girls are flat. There's the brave one and the scared, smart one. How innovative.
Next there's the dreamboat snack shack guy. He's attractive, likes to read, and going to college soon. Okay.
Annnnd then there's the mermaid. She's rude, selfish, and greedy. I was at least expecting her to develop a little throughout the book, perhaps learn a little humility, or that sometimes you have to make sacrifices for everyone's well-being, or at least to appreciate the things you have and what other people are willing to do for you. I guess she leaves something behind in the end, but I feel like those could have been reminders for the characters to think about HER, as she is rather self-obsessed. In the end, she's just as spoiled and she still gets what she wants, despite causing others dismay and slight difficulties in the process.
None of the characters truly develop. They change locations, but any of the changes (ex: Claire getting over some of her fears) seem tacked on at the end, not like the result of a true process of growth. I was disappointed.
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Then again, I watched the movie first, and that may have made a LOT of difference. Despite its intended audience being, oh, let's say the 10-14 set, I really enjoyed it. So imagine my surprise when I get the book out of the library, and the only things that are the same are:
1) There are two girls, Hailey and Claire, one of whom is being forced to move away.
2
Then again, I watched the movie first, and that may have made a LOT of difference. Despite its intended audience being, oh, let's say the 10-14 set, I really enjoyed it. So imagine my surprise when I get the book out of the library, and the only things that are the same are:
1) There are two girls, Hailey and Claire, one of whom is being forced to move away.
2) There is a mermaid named Aquamarine who ends up in the pool of a beach club.
3) There is a guy named Raymond.
That's about it. I have never seen a movie SO LOOSELY based on its book, with the exception of maybe Last of the Mohicans. Honestly, I'd say go rent the movie if you want a story with a bit more depth (no mermaid puns intended).
...moreMagic; Magic Lessons; The Rules of Magic, a selection of Reese's Book Club; and The Book of Magic. She liv Alice Hoffman is the author of more than thirty works of fiction, including The World That We Knew; The Marriage of Opposites; The Red Garden; The Museum of Extraordinary Things; The Dovekeepers; Here on Earth, an Oprah's Book Club selection; and the Practical Magic series, including Practical
Magic; Magic Lessons; The Rules of Magic, a selection of Reese's Book Club; and The Book of Magic. She lives near Boston. ...more
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