About This Book
Reach for this book when your middle schooler feels like they do not fit into their current environment or is struggling to find a peer group where they truly belong. It is a powerful metaphor for the awkwardness of puberty and the search for identity, framed as a high-stakes science fiction adventure. Nere, a girl who has always felt out of place on land, discovers she has been genetically altered to live underwater, forcing her to flee a dystopian government and survive the open ocean with a group of other 'mutates.' The story explores deep themes of self-confidence, teamwork, and the ethics of scientific experimentation. While the action is fast-paced, the emotional core focuses on Nere's growth from a hesitant outsider to a capable leader. Parents should note there are moments of peril, animal attacks, and some character loss, making it best suited for readers aged 10 to 14 who enjoy immersive world-building and stories about finding one's inner strength.
