Real Mermaids Don't Wear Toe Rings by Helene Boudreau

224 ps.
Target audience: Young adult
Rating: Griffin

Being thirteen is awkward enough. Jade's mother drowned and she now lives alone with her endearing but somewhat clueless dad. While her best friend is beautiful and slim, Jade is overweight. An epsom salt bath is anything but relaxing when her legs vanish to reveal a mermaid's tail. The onset of her period and salt water brings on her metamorphosis. It turns out that her mother did not drown but is alive and trapped by some rebel mer-people. The kidnapping turned rescue of Jade's mom was forced and confusing. However it is still a sweet story and the classic adolescent moments will appeal to tween readers.