The Magnificent Book of Creatures of the Abyss by Bethanie Hestermann

The Magnificent Book of Creatures of the Abyss by Bethanie Hestermann -- 80 pages

I read this book in preparation for a homeschool class on ocean creatures.  I found it to be completely fascinating.  Some of my favorite deep sea animals are the Zombie Worm, Piglet Squid, and Bloody Belly Comb Jelly.  I would highly recommend this informational book to everyone.
 

Of Neptune (The Syrena Legacy #3) by Anna Banks

Of Neptune (The Syrena Legacy #3) by Anna Banks -- 330 pages

Emma, who is half human and half Syrena, and her Syrena love, Galen, need time together. Alone. Away from the kingdoms of Poseidon and Triton. Emma’s grandfather, the Poseidon king, suggests the two visit a small town called Neptune.

Neptune is home to both Syrena and Half-Breeds alike. But Emma and Galen didn’t sign up to be peacemakers between the ocean-living Syrena and the land-dwelling, freshwater counterparts. They didn’t bargain for meeting a charming Half-Breed named Reed, who can barely disguise his feelings for Emma. And they especially didn’t expect to find themselves in the middle of a power struggle that threatens not only their love, but their ocean kingdoms. In this stunning conclusion to her bestselling Syrena Legacy, Anna Banks thrills fans with more action and romance than ever. 

Of Triton (The Syrena Legacy #2) by Anna Banks

Of Triton (The Syrena Legacy #2) by Anna Banks -- 246 pages

Emma has just learned that her mother is a long-lost Poseidon princess, and now struggles with an identity crisis: As a Half-Breed, she’s a freak in the human world and an abomination in the Syrena realm below. Syrena law states that all Half-Breeds should be put to death.

As if that’s not bad enough, her mother’s reappearance among the Syrena turns the two kingdoms—Poseidon and Triton—against one another. Which leaves Emma with a decision to make: Should she comply with Galen’s request to keep herself safe and just hope for the best? Or should she risk it all and reveal herself—and her Gift—to save a people she’s never known?

Of Poseidon (The Syrena Legacy #1) by Anna Banks

Of Poseidon (The Syrena Legacy #1) -- 324 pages

Galen is the prince of the Syrena, sent to land to find a girl he's heard can communicate with fish. Emma is on vacation at the beach. When she runs into Galen—literally, ouch!—both teens sense a connection. But it will take several encounters, including a deadly one with a shark, for Galen to be convinced of Emma's gifts. Now, if he can only convince Emma that she holds the key to his kingdom...

Told from both Emma and Galen's points of view, here is a fish-out-of-water story that sparkles with intrigue, humor, and waves of romance.

Dearest by Alethea Kontis

Dearest by Alethea Kontis - 283 pages

Friday Woodcutter is an apprentice seamstress with a generous heart for orphans and all people.  When she is rescued and taken to the palace after a mysterious ocean suddenly appears across the entire country, she discovers a family under a curse.  By day seven brothers are turned into swans only to become human during the night.  Can Friday save them from the curse and the man hunting them down?

This is the third book in the Woodcutter Sisters series.  I absolutely love this series.  It combines several different fairy tales to make new stories that are fun and interesting to read.  A great series for teens.

MSCHMITT-- The Magic School Bus on the ocean floor, Joanna Cole, 32

MSCHMITT-- The Magic School Bus on the ocean floor, Joanna Cole, 32

Ms. Frizzle takes the class to the ocean floor, where they talk about ocean life, including coral, animals, and plants.

Spellbound Falls by Janet Chapman

Spellbound Falls by Janet Chapman - 343 pages

Olivia's new camper, Mac, and his son Henry are very unusual.  They seem to be able to forecast the weather.  They talk in an old-fashioned manner.  And locks don't seem to work around them.  Then three lost albatrosses are found walking down the road.  Mac promises to get them back to their home.  It's yet one more weird thing that confuses Olivia about Mac.  However, none of that is stopping her from falling in love with Mac and his son.
It took me a while to get into this book, but once I did I really enjoyed it.  I think part of the problem is that while this is the first book in a series, it is connected to several of the author's other series.  There are several characters and plot points that seem like they might more sense if I had read the other books first.