Written by Tom Avery
It starts with twin brothers Jamie and Ned. The story, told from Jamie’s point of view, is about the struggle that many families have of slowly losing a loved one. Ned has cystic fibrosis, and his condition seems to be getting worse. The brothers love to explore the island that they live on and to search the beaches after a storm for anything that might have washed ashore. They consider themselves adventurers, just like the characters from their favorite television show, Star Trek. Ned is Captain Kirk, Bold and adventurous. Jamie on the other hand is more like Dr. McCoy, cautious and observant. As they are searching the beach, they find something that looks a bit alien-ish. It is neither fish nor human. They take it home and hide it in their dad’s garage, which is more of a place for them to put their treasures, then for their dad to put the car. As they hear stories from their granddad, who is a seaman, about the things that he and other sailors have seen, they think that what they have might be a mermaid, but not the kind that you hear about in children’s stories. In addition, as Ned becomes sicker, they have to face the fact that he may never get better.
Review by Nanette Warr, Monroe Elementary Media Center
Rating: ★★★✩✩ (3 stars)
Interest Level: Grades 4-7
Not As We Know It
Written by Tom Avery
Schwartz & Wade Books
159 pages
Release Date: August 23, 2016 (USA)
An advanced reader copy was provided by the publisher.
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