Breathe Back and Count from Ten

Verónica is just a regular teenage girl, but she has big dreams of performing as a mermaid at the local Mermaid Cove attraction. She also starts to develop feelings for her new neighbour, Alex. But what will her overprotective parents think? Verónica’s Peruvian culture and heritage shine through as readers learn more about her life, her struggles with hip dysplasia and her protective parents. Secondary-level students may enjoy and relate to the unique and compelling story of a teen who wants to be seen and heard while navigating the complexities of friendships, parental approval, and relationships. In the classroom, the novel lends itself well as a literature circle choice or for a group or independent novel study.