Fish Girl
By Michael Berry,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Mermaid tries to escape captivity in gorgeous graphic novel.
Add rating
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this book.
Where to Read
Community Reviews
There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
In FISH GIRL, the nameless protagonist spends her days tantalizing tourists at her father's seaside attraction. Visitors to her aquarium only get a glimpse of her in the tank, but one girl in particular, Livia, wants to know more about the mermaid. Emboldened by their friendship, Fish Girl finds temporary means of escape. But is there a way for her to be truly free and independent?
Is It Any Good?
Gorgeous underwater visuals distinguish this understated tale of a young woman testing the boundaries of freedom. Fish Girl moves at a measured pace, relishing small moments rather than outsized gestures. David Wiesner's detailed, immersive art may be the big draw for many readers, but Donna Jo Napoli's script is sensitive and involving. Anyone who dreams of living under the sea will be captivated by this unusual graphic novel.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Fish Girl updates the story of The Little Mermaid. Why are readers interested in mermaids?
Fish Girl begins to suspect that her father doesn't have her best interests in mind. How can greed cause bitterness and mistrust in a family?
What kinds of stories work best as graphic novels? What kinds of effects can the medium achieve that are more difficult in prose alone?
Book Details
- Author: Donna Jo Napoli
- Illustrator: David Wiesner
- Genre: Graphic Novel
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy , Princesses, Fairies, Mermaids, and More , Adventures , Friendship , Ocean Creatures
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Clarion Books
- Publication date: March 7, 2017
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 10 - 12
- Number of pages: 192
- Available on: Nook, Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: April 15, 2019
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Read
Our Editors Recommend
Graphic Novels and Memoirs
Graphic Novels That Teach History
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate