Fish Girl

I'm a huge fan of Donna Jo Napoli's novels especially her twists on classic fairy tales. I was really excited to receive a copy of her latest work.

Fish Girl lives in a tank at a boardwalk aquarium. She's the main attraction but is told to tease visitors and not for them to find her. Then one day a girl 'finds' her and everything that Fish Girl thought was true about herself and her life is questioned.

Beautifully illustrated, this graphic novel shows a girl that is hidden away and the loneliness she encounters. Fish Girl's life is in a tank where it's her job to only let paying guests see a little of her. Her owner is a man who says he's Neptune. He warns her that she's not to interact with anyone as humans are dangerous and will harm her. She believes him until Livia, an ordinary girl finds her. This is where the story is laced with humor--Livia tells her about pizza and even gets her to do yoga.

The big message though has to be how Fish Girl gains the strength and determination to know she can do anything. That includes standing up to Neptune and the truth behind the aquarium.

The illustrations are nothing short of gorgeous. I love how they show Fish Girl's journey from being passive to a courageous heroine.

Magically coming of age tale of a girl who finds that she has the power to do anything.