Stricken by a mysterious malady when she is sent westward on an orphan train, 15-year-old Hannah instinctively knows that she can be cured by proximity to the ocean. She returns to Boston and takes a position as a scullery maid in a wealthy household, where a young artist comes to paint a portrait of her employers' three daughters. A mysterious, rather romantic figure, he seems to see into Hannah's soul. Slowly, she becomes aware that she is transforming into a daughter of the sea. The first book in a series about sisters separated at birth, this novel has menacing, almost gothic overtones as well as a strong sense of time, place, and class distinctions. Elements within the painting, which sounds similar to John Singer Sargent's Daughters of Edward Darley Boit, become pivotal points in the setting and the story. Nicely designed, this compelling novel has an attractive jacket illustration showing a rather modern-looking Hannah in her element, the sea.

Fifteen-year-old orphan Hannah Albury develops a strange affliction when she travels away from the sea: her body sheds salt crystals and iridescent scales. Her mystery involves everyone in the wealthy household where she works as a scullery maid, including an artist who seems to know Hannah's secret. Copious historical details balance the story's fantastical elements.

Orphan Hannah Albury, 15, the engagingly demure yet plucky heroine, has always been drawn to the ocean. Hired as scullery maid by the Hawleys, a wealthy Boston family, she embarks on a journey to understand and fulfill her destiny. Hannah is attracted to the family's mysterious porcelain vases depicting sea creatures and even more so to Mr. Wheeler, an artist hired to paint the three Hawley daughters. He in turn hungers for and recognizes in Hannah what she doesn't yet grasp. Meanwhile, the Hawleys' psychotic eldest daughter, Lila, and her demonic cat, Jade, see Hannah as a threat; as she deciphers the secret of her identity, Hannah must ward off their perhaps supernatural attacks. The novel, first in a projected series, at first offers its early-20th-century history lesson in overly painstaking detail, especially the domestic staff hierarchy. Once Lila, Jade and Mr. Wheeler show up, the plot becomes gripping. A good bet for upper middle-grade and early YA readers. (Fantasy. 12 & up)

Gr 4-6 In this first book in a projected series, orphan Hannah, 15, tries to find success as a scullery maid in an upscale Boston household at the end of the 19th century. In addition to having to learn new rules and skills, she must contend with the family's three daughters, including demanding Lila and her sinister cat. Hannah knows that she is differentshe leaves salt in the bathtub, becomes physically ill when away from the sea, and seems to be shedding odd crystals. When a famous painter arrives to do a portrait of the three sisters, he immediately senses Hannah's secrets but will not give her answers. Because Lasky stretches the mystery of Hannah's nature throughout the book, her decision regarding where she belongs becomes rushed and anticlimactic. The heart of the story lies in the day-to-day activities of the Hawley household, especially the lengths the family and staff go to to appease Lila, and the destruction she causes whenever she does not get her way. The resolution of this story will appear weak to some readers, but many will identify with independent and winsome Hannah as she tries to find her place in the world. Jennifer Rothschild, Prince George's County Memorial Library System, Oxon Hill, MD

When fifteen-year-old Hannah is considered unsuitable for employment in Boston, she is sent to Kansas on an orphan train. But the farther she travels from the sea, the more ill she becomes. She sheds sphere-like crystals and begins to itch so much beneath her ôcombosö that she sheds these, too. The minister and his wife who take her into their home are ôstunnedö at HannahÆs strange appearance and send her back to Boston where she is placed as a scullery maid in the household of the Hawleys, a ôrefinedö Boston family. Hannah is fascinated by the HawleyÆs Japanese vases that feature a mermaidÆs tail rising from the sea. She is also drawn to the acclaimed young portrait painter who is commissioned to paint the three Hawley daughters. When the family moves to its vacation home by the sea in Maine right, Hannah finally finds out where she truly belongs. Lasky brings together an orphan story, the ôupstairs downstairsö of a Victorian household, and a mermaid tale into an intriguing combination. There are lovely character descriptions of the serving ôfamilyö and of members of the Hawley family. The insane elder daughter and her menacing cat add a gothic element; the attraction between Hannah and the artist, who has renounced his Mer heritage, adds a taste of romance. Passages evoke the music of the harp that resonates with the ôliquid, floating world where [Hannah] fits.ö Readers who enjoy Helen DunmoreÆs ôIngoö series may also enjoy this pleasurable mermaid story.ùHilary S. Crew.