Thora isn't your average ten-year-old. She's half-mermaid and half-human. Now that Thora's living in London with her mermaid mother and human caretaker, Mr. Walters-not to mention a pet peacock and a rare green sparkling sea-unicorn-it doesn't take long for things on land to go awry. Especially the disturbing disappearance of their houseboat, the Loki, and her sea-unicorn, Shirley! When Mr. Walters's friend at Snug Harbor invites her family for a respite, Thora discovers more snags-like a girl named Louella who doesn't believe in mermaids. While Louella tries to stop Snug Harbor from being converted into a croquet park, Thora thinks she can help. But will she be able to get to the bottom of her own troubles and find her beloved Shirley? The second book about Thora is another enchanting tale of a good-humored, extraordinary young girl with a knack for unraveling fishy mysteries. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

Gr 4-6-In this sequel to Thora: A Half-Mermaid Tale (HarperCollins, 2005), readers rejoin the intrepid 10-year-old who is half-mermaid, half-human (which means she sports a pair of legs, a penchant for swimming, and a blowhole). She, her mermaid mother, and their companion, Mr. Walters, are visiting London in their houseboat. Unfortunately, the girl is completely unaware that her friend Shirley, a rare and beautiful sea-unicorn, has attracted the attention of a sinister mermaid, Pamela, who wishes to sell the unusual creature to a collector. Before they know it, the houseboat has been damaged, Shirley is nowhere to be seen, and they must wait out their boat's repairs at a friend's manor estate. Pamela shows up there, hoping to find the sea-unicorn, but with the aid of new allies, like exceedingly intelligent 11-year-old Louella Bidet, Thora proves ready for the challenge. Filled with myriad delectable Briticisms (everything from cricket whites and Gentleman's Relish to bubble and squeak), the book comes off as a lighthearted romp. Fans of mermaids will be gently amused by Johnson's sense of humor and evident love of her characters. Even better, readers needn't be familiar with the previous book to find themselves charmed by this airy little follow-up. The author's pen-and-ink illustrations are vaguely reminiscent of those by Quentin Blake. Not a necessary purchase, but a fun one all the same.-Elizabeth Bird, New York Public Library Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

"In this follow-up to Thora: A Half-Mermaid Tale (2005), Johnson's delightful heroine enjoys more rollicking adventures. Thora, age 10 and three-quarters, lives with her full-blooded mermaid mother, amiable Mr. Walters, and her sea-unicorn, Shirley, aboard a houseboat anchored on the Thames. When the houseboat is damaged and Shirley disappears, Thora and her family decamp to imaginary Snugshire, where they stay with dear friends, the Bidets. Thora and Louella Bidet, a serious and wholly human child, become fast friends and rescue the Bidet estate from conversion into a high-powered croquet park. Johnson keeps the plot humming briskly along. Thora's narrative, written in delightfully fractured English, combines with Johnson's drawings, news reports, and handwritten lists, which inventively bridge gaps in the story. Although there's no need for readers to be familiar with Thora before picking up this sequel, those who haven't yet read the first book will want it after finishing this one. All readers will eagerly hope for a third installment, which seems promised in the closing passages."--"Goldsmith, Francisca" Copyright 2007 Booklist From: Syndetics Solutions, Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.