The Selkie's Daughter

 An immersive reading experience threaded through with Celtic lore.

A well-paced first-person narrative inspired by elements of Celtic folklore.

In this multilayered middle grade debut, Brennan (the Fact Files series) evocatively establishes the hardships of a tween living as an incognito selkie in the sea-blasted chill of Nova Scotia. Though Brigit Finn habitually cuts back the webbing between her fingers to facilitate her masquerade as human, she and her mother--who are shape-shifting magical seals from nearby Sule Skerrie--are still the topic of persistent gossip throughout her financially struggling rural fishing village. Brigit endures persistent bullying from classmates, but with the support of her family, which also includes her Scots-descended father and precocious five-year-old brother, she forms buoying friendships with her cousin and a newcomer, the Manitoban nephew of the local priest. When the village's fortunes shift for the worse, the fishermen--blaming selkies--target Brigit and her family, who are already suffering their own profound tragedies: someone has been killing young seals, angering the king of the selkies. At times shockingly dark and unflinching in its portrayal of the harsh realities Brigit and her family face, this fresh and evocative tale, rendered in Brigit's clear voice, is propelled by a resilient protagonist toward a satisfyingly complex resolution. The human cast is white. Ages 8-12. Agent: Karyn Fischer, BookStop Literary. (Jan.)

Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Gr 4-8--Brigit knows that in order to fit in, she must remove the webbing of skin that is growing between her fingers. Although painful, cousin Alys has always helped with this process. Kids at school aren't very accepting of her, given that she's half human, half seal. Being the daughter of a Selkie (seal woman), Brigit lives near Nova Scotia with her parents and little brother Willie. Thankfully, she develops some close friendships that end up being essential when she finds herself alone; her father has disappeared while fishing, and her mother has returned to the sea to find him. A large golden seal holds the key to the village's survival, as he is preventing the fish from being caught and even causing some of the storms that wreak havoc on the villagers and their way of life. The story is written in first person; Brigit and the other characters read as white. Have a tissue box nearby as heartbreak is in sure supply. The struggle between good and evil become blurred as readers are led to consider both sides, both of value. Topics presented include seal pup clubbing, diphtheria, bullying, food insecurities, storm destruction, and the cliques that come with small-town living. VERDICT Expertly told in poetic fashion, this book will hook its readers from sentence one. Highly recommended for all who love fantasy, tragedy, history, and folklore.--Tracy Cronce

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

★ "Expertly told in ­poetic fashion, this book will hook its readers from sentence one. Highly recommended for all who love fantasy, tragedy, history, and folklore."—School Library Journal, Starred Review

"A well-paced first-person narrative inspired by elements of Celtic folklore."—Booklist

"This fresh and evocative tale, rendered in Brigit's clear voice, is propelled by a resilient protagonist toward a satisfyingly complex resolution."—Publishers Weekly

"Readers just ready to dip their toes into selkie lore and Celtic legends à la Jane Yolen will find an easy introduction here."—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"The tale's strength lies in its writing: well-drawn characters, a strong sense of place, vivid images of the natural world, and evocative fantastical elements. . . . An immersive reading experience threaded through with Celtic lore." —Kirkus Reviews