Coral's Reef (Coral's Reef #1)

The perfect beach read for shōjo manga fans who like a little fantasy magic with their love triangles.

Gr 4 Up--In New Lemuria's Reef Beach, teenage sea sprite, Coral, is a regular when it comes to shirking her responsibilities in place of riding waves instead. She's got a secret cove she regularly holes up at, but everything changes for her once she encounters fire ifrit, Nick Inferno--a member of a rival school's water polo team. What comes next is a story full of waves rising...and sparks flying?! Presented in full-color and arranged in a left-to-right format, Coral's Reef is a solid title for younger manga readers, and a particularly good choice to give to readers discovering the medium for the first time. Featuring a plethora of characters, all of whom are from different kinds of aquatic races, this title will assist in showing kids that all communities feature folks from different backgrounds, and that it's important to be aware of how race truly matters. Artwork is dynamic, fitting the story's tone nicely. With a plot that's light and uncomplicated, and characters that are charming, it's an easy read to recommend for elementary schools. VERDICT Packed with fun times, airy characters, and a good message at its core, this is a book young readers will find relatable, instructive, and entertaining at the same time.--Joe Pascullo

Romance blossoms among the adolescent residents of a mythical seaside town in this slice-of-life fantasy manga by Lumson. Sparks fly when sea sprite Coral, a teenage surf instructor, meets fire ifrit Nick Inferno, Magus Academy's famed water polo sensation, at her secret surf spot in the creature-populated town of Reef Beach. But Nick lives too far away to properly woo, a fact that Coral laments to her family and friends, comprising dryads, kappas, and sirens, each of whom have species-specific magical skills. When Nick and his twin sister Ember transfer to Coral's school, the proximity allows Coral to actively pursue him, despite Ember's industrious sabotage of the duo's burgeoning relationship. Shiei artfully employs shojo staples such as frequent blushing, sparkles and heart emanata, and chibification rendered in vibrant color. The teen cast is often seen sporting revealing swimsuits that emphasize their figures and drive home the beach-read vibes. Anecdotal sequences give way to emergent magic and mayhem via a surprise ending that heralds action-packed adventure for the protagonists, each of whom is portrayed with fanciful skin tones. Ages 9-12. (Oct.)