A Song Below Water

High school and family drama are not the only challenges for Tavia and Effie, two sister–friends living in Portland. In a world full of mythological creatures, protests, and police violence, these two Black sirens find strength in each other as they navigate high school, violence, and social stigma. This novel uses magical realism to create a world similar to ours but where fantastical creatures roam the Earth. In a senior secondary classroom, the story lends itself well as a literature circle choice or for independent reading. Teachers may present it to supplement a unit on advocacy, social justice, or myths and mythology.