Meranda and the Legend of the Lake

Meranda, 11, knows she belongs in Nova Scotia with her extended family and not in Calgary where her parents moved eight years ago. When her mother’s great-uncle Mark dies, the family must return to the East Coast to attend the funeral. Meranda will be able to see Gran and Grampa once again. However, for some strange reason, her mother is very anxious about their return.

Meranda is an only child, and she feels that her parents are excessively overprotective. She uses crutches because of her cerebral palsy, but she is a very independent young lady. Their move to Calgary is shrouded in mystery. Meranda believes the family moved away from Cape Breton because of her parents’ jobs, but she has a niggling suspicion that there is another reason. Her parents want her far away from the water – to keep her safe.

Once they arrive in Skye, the home of the Bras d’Or Mermaids, Meranda is thrilled to reconnect with her family and smell the sea air. She hears stories about her family’s connections to the mystical mermaid population of Skye. There are accusations about Uncle Mark’s death, and some people believe mermaids had a part in his death. Meranda becomes entangled in the mystery of the mermaids and her family history. Her search for the truth reveals her own inner strength of character and her unique connection to the Skye mermaids.

Meranda and the Legend of the Lake is a well-written novel about Maritime life, family, and mermaid mythology. Meranda and her family are intricately involved in the stories about mermaids in their small town of Skye. Her parents actually chose the name “Meranda” as a reference to the mermaids. Several generations have been touched by these mystical creatures in one way or another.

Meranda is a fully developed and courageous character who will appeal to young readers. She is intelligent and adventuresome, and she faces her physical challenges with strength and grace. After returning to Cape Breton, she learns that her family has been keeping secrets from her for her entire life. “If my family won’t tell me what’s going on, then I’ll have to figure it out myself.” (p.108) She is shocked but determined to find the truth and confront her parents about it. She befriends Clare and enlists her in the search for the truth. She helps her new friend cope with her mother’s struggle with depression.

The mysteries revealed in this novel are intriguing. There are some shocking revelations at the end of the novel about the mermaid connection. Readers are left to decide about the true nature of mermaids. Are they monsters or angels of the sea?

There are many thought-provoking issues addressed in Meranda and the Legend of the Lake: mermaid mythology, maritime life, shipwrecks, global warming, heritage, family relationships, change, fear, disability/ability, friendship, depression, courage, loyalty, forgiveness, and responsibility. In the end, Meranda realizes what is important to her, “We knew where we belonged.” (p. 215)