• Age: 8 to 12
• Grade: 3 to 12

Anne of Green Gables meets Song for a Whale with a touch of Nancy Drew in this debut middle-grade mystery

"Mahoney’s debut novel combines the fantastical and contemporary to create an accessible story for young readers ... An intriguing mystery set in the mythical backdrop of a coastal Canadian town, starring an unstoppable girl driven by curiosity and her adventurous nature." — Booklist

Eleven-year-old Meranda thought her life was complicated enough with physical challenges (she uses crutches to walk) and her helicopter parents. But when her great-uncle Mark dies, Meranda and her family visit Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, where her parents grew up and where she hasn’t been since the age of three.

Soon, secrets begin to unfold: Why does the newspaper headline say her great-uncle Mark’s death was suspicious? Why do strangers keep calling Meranda “miracle baby”? Why does her usually calm mother seem so panicky and scared? And what on earth does all this have to do with mermaids? Meranda and her new friend, Claire, decide to investigate on their own. But as Meranda begins to separate fact from fiction, she finds herself in very real danger …

With an intriguing mystery afoot, and a strong-willed, resilient heroine at the helm, this mythical maritime novel celebrates coming of age and growing into yourself.

Meagan Mahoney is an author who balances her love of writing with her work as a pediatric intensive care doctor. Her debut novel, Meranda and the Legend of the Lake, was nominated for the 2023 Forest of Reading Silver Birch Fiction Award, IODE Violet Downey Book Award, and R. Ross Annett Award for Children’s Literature. She lives in Calgary, Alberta, where she loves to explore the mountains with her husband, three children, and a very nervous rescue dog.

Meagan Mahoney's profile page

• Short-listed, Silver Birch Fiction Award
• Short-listed, R. Ross Annett Award for Children’s Literature
• Short-listed, Violet Downey Book Award
• Commended, TD Summer Reading Club Top Recommended Read
• Commended, Best Books for Kids and Teens
• Commended, A Junior Library Guild Selection

"Dark family secrets, hints of magic, and a very tidy resolution after pleasing thrills."

Kirkus Reviews

"The plot moves quickly and keeps the reader guessing ... Students who enjoy fantasy titles will like this book."

School Library Connection

"Meranda is a relatable and likeable heroine who faces her challenges, both physical and emotional, with grit and resilience. Part Scooby Doo and part Anne of Green Gables, this is a story that will keep tweens turning pages late into the night."

This West Coast Mommy

"A well-written novel about Maritime life, family, and mermaid mythology ... Meranda is a fully developed and courageous character who will appeal to young readers."

Canadian Review of Materials

"Mahoney’s debut novel combines the fantastical and contemporary to create an accessible story for young readers ... An intriguing mystery set in the mythical backdrop of a coastal Canadian town, starring an unstoppable girl driven by curiosity and her adventurous nature."

Booklist