Sukey and the Mermaid
Sale price
$858
Picture Book · Ages 5–8 · 1992 · Est. 17 min read-aloud

Sukey and the Mermaid

Written by Robert D. San Souci · Illustrated by Brian Pinkney

A girl discovers a magical underwater kingdom, but is it better than her harsh reality above?

4.2 Goodreads · 392 ratings
32 pages· 2,109 words· Est. 17 min read-aloud· 760L
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Bookroo's summary

Sukey escapes her harsh life with a cruel stepfather by the sea, where she meets Mama Jo, a mesmerizing mermaid. Mama Jo offers Sukey a chance to live in a magical underwater kingdom free from time and pain. But this enchanting world lacks human connection. As Sukey weighs her options, she must decide if a life without hardship is worth the solitude. Will she choose the allure of the sea or face the challenges of her world above? Dive into Sukey's journey of discovery and choice.

From the publisher

Sukey’s new step-pa is a mean, bossy man. Every day Sukey wakes at dawn to work in the garden. All her step-pa ever does is watch her and yell if she so much as stops to fan herself. Sukey’s ma calls him Mister Jones. Sukey prefers the name “Mister Hard-Times”. One day, Sukey runs away to her secret place by the ocean. There, she calls up Mama Jo, a beautiful black mermaid. Mama Jo’s got a surprise for Sukey; a magical kingdom beneath the sea without time or pain. But it’s also without people. Is it really better than the world above?

Awards

Coretta Scott King Honor (1993)
At a glance
Format
Paperback
Pages
32
Words
2,109
Reading age
5–8
Audience
Picture
Lexile
760L
Themes & topics
The author

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The illustrator

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The fine print

Book details

Reading levels
ATOS
4.8
F&P level
~R
AR points
0.5
AR interest level
LG
AR quiz
6244
Publication
Published
May 1, 1996
First published
January 1, 1992
Publisher
Aladdin
Edition
Language
English
Type
Picture Book
Identifiers
ISBN
9780689807183
LCCN
90024559
OCLC
35451936

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