Moonfin: Through the Watery Door

Mintie debuts with an uneven aquatic adventure featuring strong characters but an overstuffed plot. Twelve-year-old Lizzy Grape is on a field trip to the local aquarium in her coastal town of Blowing Prawn when an octopus named Iddo suddenly starts speaking to her. He tells Lizzy that all sea creatures can talk, but only she can understand them because she was “born with the Way to the Deep.” As Lizzy encounters other sea creatures, she learns that she and her friends Kai and Jeff must help free Moonfin, a mythical sea monster captured by Dr. Krell, the aquarium director. Lizzy and her friends are well-developed characters with their own idiosyncrasies (Kai’s need to surf hides a disappointing home life, and Jeff seeks to prove himself to his family through his money-making schemes). Unfortunately, Mintie tries to do too much with the story. The introduction of beings made out of water, “Sightseer” aliens on an island with hypnotizing goo, and a quick trip to Pluto all overwhelm the novel, burying an otherwise intriguing tale. Ages 9–12. (BookLife)