Poignant. Realistic. Important.

Thank you Sarah Ockler, this is what contemporary YA should be!

This book touched so beautifully on so many different issues in today's world.

The Summer of Chasing Mermaids has a narrative that pulls you in and makes you listen. It reaffirms that no matter how/why you have ever been silenced, your voice matters.
The narrator is an incredible POC from the West Indies! The relationship between the Kane brothers so perfectly sums up the love siblings have for each other, no matter what. I mean, a Gender-bending Mermaid March? IMPORTANT! Shows the importance of staying true to yourself. This book touches upon the support that friends and family lend, when we need them and when we feel as though we don't. And also how sometimes, our families make us angry due to their imperfections. The importance of verbal consent is mentioned multiple times. And feminist killjoys? The very best. Oh! And a love story that shows how love can make you strong in the face of adversity.

A+ Mrs. Ockler!

SO IMPORTANT. An absolute MUST READ.