
Reach for this book when your child is processing a significant family loss or if the 'grown-ups' in their life are currently overwhelmed and emotionally unavailable. It is a perfect fit for children who mask their sadness with humor or who feel a heavy sense of responsibility for 'fixing' their family. The story follows Boom Broom, a young boy whose mother was taken by a tornado, leaving his father and grandfather paralyzed by agoraphobia and grief. While the premise sounds heavy, Suzanne Selfors uses a whimsical, absurdist lens to explore these themes. When Boom discovers a magical, wish-granting merbaby, he believes he can finally solve his family's problems, only to realize that shortcuts and magic come with unexpected consequences. It is a quirky, fast-paced adventure for ages 8 to 12 that balances genuine heartache with hilariously strange Viking neighbors and magical mayhem. Parents will appreciate how it validates a child's desire to 'save' their parents while gently guiding them toward acceptance and the importance of real-world resilience.
Depicts a family struggling with the death of a mother and adult agoraphobia.
The physical transformation caused by the mermaid curse may be unsettling for sensitive kids.
The book deals directly with the death of a parent and the resulting mental health struggles (agoraphobia and depression) of the surviving adults. The approach is secular and metaphorical: the 'storm' that took the mother is reflected in the chaotic magic of the merfolk. The resolution is realistic rather than magical; while the curse is lifted, the family's grief doesn't disappear, but they begin the process of stepping outside again.
An 8 to 10-year-old reader who enjoys 'unfortunate events' style humor but is secretly dealing with big changes at home. It is especially resonant for kids who feel they have to be the 'adult' in the room.
Read cold is fine, but parents should be aware that the depiction of the father's depression is quite stark, though filtered through a child's eyes. A parent might see their child withdrawing or, conversely, trying too hard to cheer everyone up after a loss. The moment a child says 'I wish I could just fix everything' is the time for this book.
Younger readers (8-9) will focus on the 'gross-out' humor of the merbaby and the adventure. Older readers (11-12) will better grasp the parallels between the literal monsters and the internal monsters of grief.
Unlike many 'grief' books that are quiet and somber, this is a loud, messy, and funny fantasy that treats a child's pain with respect without being depressing.
Boom Broom lives in a house defined by grief after his mother's death in a freak tornado. His father and grandfather are housebound by fear, and the family is largely cared for by their eccentric Viking-descendant tenant, Halvor. When Boom finds a 'merbaby' on the beach that grants wishes, he hopes to use its power to restore his family. However, a mermaid curse strikes his sister, Mertyle, forcing Boom and his friend Winger on a high-stakes quest to return the baby to the sea and save his sister.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
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