The Tail of Emily Windsnap

Twelve-year-old Emily Windsnap has lived on a boat her whole life but has never been allowed in the water. When she finally takes a swimming lesson, she discovers she is a semi-mer: a human on land and a mermaid in the sea. This discovery leads her to a hidden mermaid city, a new best friend named Shona, and a dangerous mission to rescue her father from Neptune's prison. SENSITIVE TOPICS: The book deals with family separation and the concept of an illegal marriage (between a human and a mermaid). These themes are handled metaphorically, representing societal barriers and the pain of family secrets. The resolution is deeply hopeful, emphasizing that love can change even the strictest laws. EMOTIONAL ARC: The story begins with a sense of restriction and longing, building through curiosity and wonder as Emily discovers her powers. It moves into high-stakes tension during the rescue mission and concludes with a triumphant sense of belonging and family reunification. IDEAL READER: A middle-schooler who feels like they are living between two worlds, perhaps a child of divorce or someone who feels their true self is hidden from their peers. PARENT TRIGGER: A parent might notice their child feeling frustrated by rules they don't understand or expressing a desire to know more about a distant relative. PARENT PREP: The book can be read cold, though parents should be ready to discuss the idea of 'breaking rules' for a greater good, as Emily often defies authority to save her family. AGE EXPERIENCE: Younger readers (8-9) will be captivated by the magical world-building and the novelty of the mermaid transformation. Older readers (11-12) will better appreciate the nuances of Emily's identity crisis and the systemic injustice of Neptune's laws. DIFFERENTIATOR: Unlike many mermaid stories that focus solely on romance or aesthetics, Kessler uses the mermaid mythos as a powerful metaphor for mixed-identity and the bridging of two seemingly incompatible worlds.