Mermaid’s Three Wisdoms, The

THE MERMAID’S THREE WISDOMS

Illustrated by Laura Rader

Collins World 1978

ISBN# 0-529-05420-5 Collins hardcover

A deaf girl angry with having to wear a hearing aid and refusing to use signing meets a young mermaid thrust out of her community for disobeying their laws. Merfolk sign under the sea, so mergirl (who now has legs) and deaf girl can communicate. Together they rescue a beached dolphin, and the mermaid is allowed to return to her family. There was a Japanese version.

Accolades:

• Nomination for the William Allen White Award list, 1981

What reviewers have said:

• “Skillfully written and convincingly plotted, this will appeal to a wide readership.”—School Library Journal
• “Yolen has applied her usual skillful imaginative powers to a srory strong in reality and fantasy; the combination strengthens her writing and makes it more accessible o a wider audience.”—Booklist
• “The story successfully blends reality and fantasy, portrays appealing characters, and is based on a sensible philosophy—the Three Wisdoms.”–The Boston Globe
• “This book is for ‘problem novel’ lovers, mermaid lovers, and alll lovers of a good book.”—Assoc of Children’s Librarians Newsletter