This story was a little creepy and a lot of fun. The fact that it's so short also makes it accessible to a wide variety of readers. If your kids (or you) like their horror mixed with fantasy, consider giving this one a read. I quite enjoyed it.

(I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased opinion.)

This children's book is sooo well done! It's a short story about Bess, a girl who refuses to trust people because of her difficult past. She is being exploited for her labor in a cotton mill and she doesn't have any friends. She hopes to escape, but she sees no way out. At the same time, there's a myth going around that a mermaid lives in the millpond. "But is it really a monster that lives in the depths of the pond? Or a creature trapped and alone, just like Bess, desperate to escape?"

This is a quick but very sweet read for readers aged 8+! The story can be a little "dark" sometimes, but it is always mixed with hopefulness. One of the aspects I liked the most was the paralelisms between the situation of the mermaid and the one of the working girls.

Although the book is very short, it manages to create characters with some depth and growth, which is always appreciated! And speaking of characters... Bess was a nice protagonist, but I kind of wish we could have seen more of Dot: she is such a sweetie and I feel like her comments were very insightful!

The Mermaid in the Millpond by Lucy Strange is a delightful, quick read for children 8+. I think it’s a great bridge between chapter books and middle grade, with illustrations by Pam Smy to break up the text.
Bess is an 11 year-old, recently orphaned by the death of her mother. With no means of support she is sent to a workhouse and eventually ends up working in a mill as a ‘Piecer’. The conditions are horrendous and dangerous and Bess longs to escape. Befriended by Dot, the two plan an escape to a better life in Manchester. But before they can leave, Bess must try to help a mermaid escape from the small pond surrounding the mill, to a river beyond.
The author has woven many layers through her story, beginning with guilt. Bess believes she was the cause of her mother’s death because of her kindness to a homeless child. She has convinced herself that being selfish is the only way to protect herself. Becoming friends with Dot initially goes against this rule, but she soon realises that helping others and kindness are just a part of who she is. Staying true to yourself and learning to accept help are two life lessons wonderfully told in this historical story.
Don’t expect a ‘Disney’ mermaid. This is a real mermaid with needle-sharp teeth and frog-like fingers. But even monsters need help sometimes, and the human monsters are far more dangerous sometimes.
Recommend for readers 8+ who struggle to read longer books.
Thanks to NetGalley for an arc copy in return for an honest review.

This was my first opportunity to review a high interest, lower reading level book, and I was so pleased to discover that these types of books are available to readers. Adult literacy can be an overlooked topic, and the need for interesting, more mature or more entertaining content is out there.

The layout of the book is a nice mix of black and white illustrations that sort of wrap around the text, allowing for shorter passages without being as obvious at first glance. This allows pages to be read quickly and for the reader to make progress faster. The illustrations also serve to aid in comprehension of the content. I really enjoyed the story and thought it was so interesting to set the story in a factory where children are serving as the workers who are forced to do more dangerous jobs. The back story of how the main character was actually wealthy and priveleged but lost everything after her mother died added to the intrigue. I also enjoyed the twist of the mermaid who wasn't a beautiful water nymph but instead a scaly, somewhat frightening sea monster.

The parallels between the mermaids plight and the plight of the girls will lead to further discussion, as well as the history of child labor and the mythology of mermaids. All topics that are certainly high interest.

I think for the "Low" part of a high/lo reader, the author did a nice job of creating less complex paragraphs and phrases, but did include higher vocabulary. As an American reading this, there were a few slang phrases that I didn't automatically know but could understand from the context. I wonder if a glossary would benefit other readers who are unfamiliar with British phrases or slang.

Ultimately, I think this would be a crowd pleaser and great for teens or adults who need a lower reading level with high interest.

Cute MG novel about finding friends and family. Bess lived a happy life with her mom, an actress. When Bess’ mom suddenly dies, the landlord sends her to a cotton mill to work. She’s determined not to have friends, but Dot slowly tears away her defenses and they plan on an escape. But there are whispers of a mermaid in the millpond. Does she need to be saved too?

I’ll be honest, I liked Dot more than Bess. I actually had to go back and look up Bess’s name. But Dot just pulled on my heartstrings.
The plot was somewhat dark, but still somehow fun. I loved seeing the plans the kids came up with.
The illustrations were beautiful and really added a lot to the story.

The Mermaid in the Pond is a thrilling dark, tense and hopeful story intertwining history and myth in perfect symbiosis. I was absolutely entranced by this richly atmospheric tale with its depiction of the harsh realities of life for children working in Victorian mills; the slow building of the heart-warming friendship that develops between Bess and Dot; and, the symbolism between the mermaid’s situation and that of Bess.
The story is written as a first-person narrative through the eyes of eleven-year-old Bess which immediately drew me into the story. She arrives from a London workhouse to the rural cotton mill with the hope that life will be better. However, she soon discovers that the mill’s conditions are bleak and harsh, and she desperately longs for escape.
Bess soon hears tales of a terrifying monster – a mermaid – living in the millpond, but she does not believe the tales … until she sees something in the water. Could this creature be just as trapped as Bess? Will either be able to escape their prison and find freedom?
Bess is an incredibly sympathetic young girl who has suffered loss and is trying to protect herself by acting tough and not caring about others. But then she meets Dot … I loved the slow building of the friendship between Bess and Dot as they tentatively begin to hope and plan for the chance of a better life, as they build trust and look out for each other.
This is a fast-paced, exciting adventure with unexpected twists and cliff- hanger chapter endings that had me desperate to read on … utterly unputdownable!
This is a heartfelt story of pain and grief, of cruelty and loneliness, but is also a story of survival, of friendship and kindness, of freedom and hope.

What a beautiful mythical story entwining friendship, history and freedom.

The illustrations by Pam Smy which support this story are just stunning and compliment the story so well. The descriptions and settings throughout the story are so realistic I felt like I was there. It is really important when a reader, especially a young reader, can picture the setting and learn about historical settings and what it would have been like during that time and I think Lucy gets this spot, especially when talking about the Victorian Age and the Workhouse. It can feel a bit dark at times but this book has to give a realistic representation to what it was like during these times.

Covering themes of loss, poverty, history, fantasy and hope. This book will have you experiencing many different emotions throughout, but one you will always remember.

As this book is perfect for KS2 students, every school/classroom library (especially primary) should have access to this story for students to read and learn from.

A huge thank you to the publishers, Barrington Stoke, for letting me read an advanced copy of The Mermaid in the Millpond on Netgalley to read and review on my blog.

Barrington Stoke books help emergent, reluctant and dyslexic readers unlock the love of reading. There books are published in such a special way to ensure an accessible read for all.

You can buy this fabulous book from all booksellers, online and of course using any independent local bookshop.

Bess arrives as a child laborer at a countryside cloth mill just months after the death of her mother. Bess is full of grief and anger so she hardens her heart to friendship and kindness. But she must escape the dangerous conditions of the inhospitable mill, but she’s not sure she can do it alone.

The Mermaid in the Millpond is a story about finding empathy and kindness when it seems those qualities are impossible. In her grief Bess stifles her natural knack for compassion, it was lovely how she processed her past trauma enough to rediscover her kindness. The historical details are fascinating, just the right amount to pique a reader’s interest and get them thinking and asking questions.

I love the idea behind this series of books by the publisher, creating books that are content appropriate (ie advanced subjects that match better with maturity level) for readers who are reading at a lower age range level. It’s great that someone is putting thought into how to format books to appeal to reluctant readers who may be intimidated by book length or quantity words on a page. Reading is a skill that must be developed and it doesn’t come naturally or easily to everyone. Having books that read more like chapter books without babyish content will help nurture and encourage struggling readers.

I will definitely recommend The Mermaid in the Millpond to teachers and parents. I’m excited to delve into more hi-lo books by Barrington Stoke.

I have posted this review to my Goodreads account.

This was a shirt but impactful children's book with a beautiful message. The artwork was wonderful throughout and really added an extra layer to the story. There were some tough moments, that may not be suitable for younger readers but very well written and engaging.

Oh, this book is beautiful. It's quick, it's sad, it's hopeful, it's lovely--the prose is so simple and so short, but it packs a lot into a very slim little read. The illustrations are beautiful, too. I would have loved to see more of this world and these characters and the existence of the mermaid especially, but working within the conventions of this particular book, I was delighted.

I enjoyed this short tale by Lucy Strange. I immediately felt sympathy for the main character Bess and was hoping for a happy ending!
Bess is sent from the London workhouse to work in a mill, but instead of the idyllic country life that was promised, the mill is cruel and not much better than slavery. Bess wants to escape and then she meets a mermaid who is also trapped in the millpond.
This was a really engrossing read and I think its a great story to entice children into reading.

Another Lucy Strange bit of fabulousness. Well written, accessible and with a fast paced storyline to grip even reluctant readers.
I loved how few characters there were in this story, proof that you don't need a huge cast in a book to engage a reader. A lovely simple, yet deep story that I will definitely be buying and sharing.

In a Nutshell: I knew this would be a great book because I had heard of this author’s children’s fiction works. But I wasn’t prepared for it to be so fabulous! Mind you, the story is quite dark.

Story:
11 year old Bess has left the London workhouse to work in a rural cotton mill on the promise of good food and shelter. Unfortunately, she finds herself overworked and underfed. She is antagonistic with the other poor orphan labourers who share the same gloomy dorm with no hope of escape. Right outside her dorm window is a pond, but they’ve been warned against entering it as there is supposed to be a monstrous mermaid dwelling in it. The only good thing in Bess’s life is the new entrant Dot, who makes a way into Bess’s reluctant heart. With regular beatings, work struggles reaching intolerable levels and a scary mermaid outside, will Bess be able to escape her situation? And maybe help Dot too? And what about the mermaid – is she even real?
The story comes to us in the first person perspective of Beth.

The title and the cover already tell you that there's a mermaid in the millpond and this will probably conjure up the image of a light, fluffy, magical story about a mermaid. But the mermaid is more of a secondary character in the story and the focus is more on Bess and Dot. I’m just mentioning this so that children/guardians opt for this book with the right expectations. It is not like the Disney version of “The Little Mermaid”.

Unlike typical children’s fiction, this story is quite dark and depressing. When a child character declares "You have to be selfish to survive", one can only imagine what sort of horrors she had undergone until that point of her life. Bess, with all her façade of aggression and strength, is still a broken-hearted little girl and you can’t help but feel for her in this story. She is determined to deal with life without anyone’s support, but how far can one go alone? Is it a sign of weakness to accept help from those who genuinely offer it? These are just two of the many questions the book provokes you to ponder upon.

Though the year in which the story is set isn’t mentioned, it is clearly a historical one, set at least a century ago. And this is brought out very well in the atmosphere created by the author. The picture of the depressing life in the workhouse and the mill dormitory, the physical punishment regularly doled out to the orphans, the hard working conditions for the underage labourers – all of these would not be ideas modern children would be familiar with, nor comfortable with. But we all learn from the mistakes of the past, and all these dark ideas can be very thought-provoking and insightful about human behaviour. Both Bess and Dot go through so many hardships in this story but the way they come together and make a plan to somehow get out is beautifully written.

This is a pretty quick read as the book is in large font and is categorised as hi-lo (high interest, low ability), so the content is age-appropriate for the target reader but the text is edited to suit a lower reading age. This increases the appeal of the book as it will surely reach out to a wider audience with this kind of approachable writing.

There are striking BW illustrations throughout the book, and these greatly add to the appeal of the story.
The ending is not exactly tied in a neat bow but it is on a hopeful and happy note. I would have loved to know what happens next. But as the title suggests, the highlight is the mermaid, and that arc of the story is more or less completed in this book. Perhaps there will be a sequel telling us how life continues for brave little Bess and brave little Dot.

Overall, this is a beautiful story of hope and courage and determination and friendship. Though gloomy in its content, it shows how important it is to have hope and to never give up. As Dumbledore said, “Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” I really enjoyed my first book by Lucy Strange and look forward to reading her other children’s fiction works.

4.5 stars. Suitable for readers aged 8+.

My thanks to Barrington Stoke and NetGalley for the ARC of “The Mermaid in the Millpond”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

This book for the younger middle grade set (age 8+) absolutely charms with its dark yet hopeful story and fantastic illustrations. Bess is a recently-orphaned girl at a Victorian factory. Life is hard--abuse is rampant, hours are long, and the adults are awful. Bess isn't surprised by the cruelty of life anymore, though, and she doesn't want to make friends with other workers like Dot. Why get close to someone, to be hurt again? But when she realizes the rumored mermaid in the millpond is real--and trapped in a horrible place, just like her--she understands she's not the only one who suffers... and that burdens are easier when they are shared by friends.

I adored this book. Yes, it is grim and realistic in its depiction of factory life, but it's also about empowerment, hope, and friendship. The illustrations are wonderful, too--moody and eloquent, and they add a lot to the story. I would have loved this book as a child, and I love it now, too.

Bess learned that being nice to someone caused her mother to die, so is determined to never make friends with anyone ever again, when she is sent away from the workhouse to a cotton mill in the country.

Dot won't take no for an answer, and is determined to be friends, none the less.

The scene is the 1800s when the industrial revolution forced children to work in the mills, and lose fingers and limbs, and work long hours with little food or pay. It is a wrteched time, and very much a world that Dickens would have recognized.

This story is all that, but there is something more. A mermaid lives in the pond, and the children are told she eats people.

Bess has seen here, and been punished for doing so.

From there the friendship, and the mystery of the mermaid grows.

It is a quick easy read, and exciting, for young readers.

To me, I would have liked more, but it ends at a good point. Perhaps there will be other stories with these two girls? Who knows.

<em>Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.</em>

The Mermaid in the Millpond caught me off guard with its powerful symbolism and honesty about the treatment of children in workhouses and mills in the 19th century. Lucy Strange has used beautiful language and engaging characters to portray a challenging situation with hope and a determination to survive.

The daughter of a Covent Garden actress who died from tuberculosis, Bess has signed on at a cotton mill in the countryside. Hoping to avoid the workhouse, she has been fooled by the lie of a good home, delicious food and caring employers. Instead, she finds herself a prisoner of even harsher conditions with little chance of escape.

Trapped and alone, she discovers that the story of the mermaid in the millpond might actually be true. Can Bess and her new friend, Dot, help the mermaid escape and free themselves in the process?

This story is perfect for children in Year 5 & 6 who are learning about this era in their history lessons. The Barrington Stoke touch means it will be accessible for everyone so even children who find reading more difficult will be able to join in the class novel study.

Do you have or know a sweet kid with a taste for the eerie, gloomy, and macabre? Then The Mermaid in the Millpond is for them!

This perfectly creepy, gorgeously illustrated story follows Bess as she tries to survive and escape a children's workhouse in Victorian England. But she's not the only prisoner... a frightening mermaid has gotten stuck in the millpond and needs her help to escape.

Author Lucy Strange doesn't soften the realities of life as a child labourer for her young readers. The squalid, dangerous conditions Bess lives and works in are described in Dickensian detail, complete with cruel and abusive overseers. But it's not all grimness and despair. Bess finds hope in the friendship of another young girl, and the book ends on a very sweet, optimistic note.

I'd recommend this book for young readers between the ages of 7 - 10, perhaps with some parental guidance to help explain and contextualise some of the darker moments.

Thank you to NetGalley and Barrington Stoke for letting me read this dark little tale.

I received this book as an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A very short children's book. It was a sad read, why do so many children's books and movies start out with orphans being abused? I hoped to learn more about the mermaid and how the girls lives will turn out. It was an enjoyable read overall, and the illustrations are wonderful.

This book was so cute. I miss reading just these short, simple, and cute stories like I used to. I definitely think that there are a lot of kids out there that would greatly enjoy this.

Bess has left London to work in a Mill but this is hard work and the owners of the mill are cruel. The mill owners tell tales of a strange creature that lives in the mill pond and will hurt anyone who goes near. Bess thinks that they are making this up to keep them in line until one night she sees the mermaid.

Bess realises that they are both trapped as she sets out to free them both.

This book was very descriptive about the conditions that Bess faced in the mill but I thought it took to long to get to Bess meeting the mermaid.

I like that Bess changed over the course of the book and started to heal from the death of her mother and could thin of others not just herself.

This book would work well when children are studying this period of history and wanting to know what life in the Mill could be like.