A Comb of Wishes

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Description

Set against the backdrop of Caribbean folklore, Lisa Stringfellows spellbinding middle grade debut tells of a grieving girl and a vengeful mermaid and will enchant readers who loved Kacen Callenders Hurricane Child or Christian McKay Heidickers Scary Stories for Young Foxes.

Ever since her mothers death, Kela feels every bit as broken as the shards of glass, known as mermaids tears, that sparkle on the Caribbean beaches of St. Rita. So when Kela and her friend Lissy stumble across an ancient-looking comb in a coral cave, with all shes already lost, Kela cant help but bring home her very own found treasure.

Far away, deep in the cold ocean, the mermaid Ophidia can feel that her comb has been taken. And despite her hatred of all humans, her magic requires that she make a bargain: the comb in exchange for a wish.

But what Kela wants most is for her mother to be alive. And a wish that big will exact an even bigger price...

Dont miss the novel that Newbery-winning author Kelly Barnhill calls one of the most promising works of fiction in a long time!

Reviews

Imbued with a magic that felt as real as the concrete and beloved world in which it is set, this story moves with a plot that is both surefooted and wild, both inexorable and surprising, both cerebral and emotional. I loved it so much. Kelly Barnhill, author of the Newbery-winning novel The Girl Who Drank the Moon Captivating and creative, magical and moving, this enchanting tale about grief and abiding love will hold you spellbound. What a joy and honor to welcome this brilliant new voice, as beautiful as the ocean and as bright as a mermaids tears. Padma Venkatraman, Walter Award winning author of The Bridge Home "Stringfellow weaves an enchanting tale of loss, longing, and discovery infused with Caribbean folklore. Readers will be captivated by Kelas story and become invested in her journey as she tries to deal with the grief of losing her mother as well as regret for her past actions." Kirkus Reviews "Kelas primary narration allows for a harmonious blend of contemporary island life and Afro-Caribbean lore, while chapters focusing on Ophidia draw on elements of Andersens The Little Mermaid. The third-person narration of the interspersed sections echoes a rhythmic traditional call-and-response that links the teller and the listener." Bulletin of the Center for Childrens Books "Stringfellows middle-grade debut is a wondrous and original story that incorporates Caribbean culture and folklore. Told in alternating points of views between Kela and Ophidia, the novel leads us through a story about family that spans hundreds of years and will captivate readers until the end." Booklist "A unique blend of Caribbean folklore and realistic grief with a vindictive mermaid twist. Hand to fans of mermaid tales, general fantasy lovers, and readers seeking a rare gem in the genre." School Library Journal "The story is imbued with magic, but Stringfellows powerful writing makes the fantastical feel like reality. Through narrative perspectives centering both Kela and Ophidia, the author recalls the call-and-response structure prevalent in Black storytelling traditions. Fans of Baptistes The Jumbies and Rhodess Bayou Magic will enjoy spending time with Kela as she navigates a journey filled with grief, love, loss, and discovery." Horn Book Magazine "Stringfellow brings a fantastical approach to one characters processing of grief as, with the support of secondary characters, Kela begins to truly navigate her pain while unearthing the stories and lore that are her heritage." Publishers Weekly

Author Bio

Lisa Stringfellow writes middle grade fiction and has a not-so-secret fondness for fantasy with a dark twist. Growing up, she was a voracious reader, and books took her to places where her imagination could thrive. She writes for her twelve-year-old self, the kid waiting to be the brown-skinned hero of an adventure, off saving the world. Lisa's work often reflects her West Indian and Black southern heritage. She received the inaugural Kweli Color of Children's Literature Manuscript Award in 2019 for an earlier draft of A Comb of Wishes. Lisa is a middle-school teacher and lives in Boston, Massachusetts, with her children and two bossy cats.