Bibliographic info
Title: Shorelines
Author: Ruth Ennis
ISBN: 9781915071989
Publisher: Little Island Books
Copyright date: 2026
Genre/Format: fantasy, verse
Awards: none.
Reading level: Grade 10 and up (School Library Journal)
Plot Summary
Muireann is a mermaid, her large body built to withstand deep ocean temperatures and to propel her against the currents. When she and her family find her twin sister killed in a large fishing net, Muireann is shaken to her core. The humans, she believes, don’t realize that their overfishing is harming the mermaid population. She convinces her aunt (a sea-witch) to separate her tail into legs, so that she can venture onto land to convince the local prince to lay off on the fishing. This is not your typical Little Mermaid story, though: the humans on land are painfully cruel, and their perception of her body immediately confuses Muireann. Despite their violent mistreatment of her, Muireann finds some humans kind enough to help, so that she can save her family and all of the merpeople.
Author background
Ruth Ennis is a writer, children’s book review, and verse novelist from Kildare, Ireland, and Shorelines is her debut novel. (Ennis, 2026.) Her poetry and other short stories are in several Irish publications. Every October, she hosts a challenge on social media to encourage readers to read Irish stories and share them online.
Critical Evaluation
I was so surprised by the imagery in this novel. I enjoy reading verse novels every once in a while, often because they can be stunning one-sitting experiences. But Shorelines really floored me, especially because I hadn’t expected it to become so dark. Muireann’s sister dies so suddenly in the story that it immediately shocks your system into paying attention. Muireann’s mother completely shuts down after this event, which encourages her to find a solution to the over-fishing that is plaguing the merpeople. Muireann’s new mission partially serves as a method of coping with her grief.
Muireann’s positive attitude towards the humans is of course reminiscent of the original Little Mermaid. Her ability to see the good in them fights all of the warning signs, and her unfamiliarity with human culture others her as soon as she takes her first steps on land. I thought this was realistic, if not also really depressing to read.
Overall I thought this was such an imaginative and fresh take on an old classic, and one that also continues the hauntingly dark tone of the original Andersen fairytale.
Creative use for a library program
Possibly a bit of a stretch, but: a library in a coastal area, or one situated near a lake or large body of water known for fishing, could partner with local park rangers or other professionals to either deliver a presentation about climate change and overfishing or sponsor a field trip. Teaching young adults about these issues earlier would be a strong way to introduce them to the realities of climate change in their own backyards.
Speed-Run Book-Talk
Muireann’s never given much thought to her body: her strong tail and extra layers of skin protect her in the ocean, and she looks like all the other merpeople she knows. But when she volunteers to transform and venture on land in order to save her people from humans taking their resources, she’s faced with shame and ridicule from them. To them, Muireann is not deserving of respect, so she decides to take matters into her hands…
Potential Challenge Issues and Defense Preparation
What makes this story a fresh take on an old classic is that Muireann is visibly fat, and there’s strong themes of body acceptance and body shaming. It might be difficult for some audiences to read, based on their life experiences, but the enduring message is highly empowering. The book also touches on climate change lightly, to explain why humans are overfishing so much. It’s not a strong theme, and the issue of Muireann being mistreated for her body and taking revenge is ultimately the main focus of the novel.
Reason for inclusion
I wanted to include some verse novels in my collection; they can be a helpful way to get some teens reading who might not have a lot of time to devote to reading every day. It’s also a recognizable plot, with a dark and revengeful twist that most teens will enjoy!
References
About- Ruth Ennis. (2026) Retrieved from https://www.ruthennis.com/about
Smitala, Mariah. (2026, April 1). Shorelines. School Library Journal. https://www.slj.com/review/shorelines-100010327
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