Of Salt and Shore

Annet Schaap's "Of Salt and Shore" is a beautiful story about the girl Emilia (called Lampie) and her struggle in a world not made for little girls - and yet she manages. She lives in a lighthouse with her disabled and alcoholic father, who turned to the drink after his wife's death. Lampie is the one who keeps the lighthouse running, but then something happens and she forgets to light the lantern, causing a ship to go under. the blame is put on the father and Lampie is sent to the Admirals house where it is said a monster resides.

This is a beautiful story of belonging, friendship and finding your place in the world. Schaap's world is sharp, believable and also, sad. Although the story is that of above mentioned themes which are positive, there is an aura of sadness and loss emerging from the pages - something I think is amazing to find in a novel aimed towards a middle grade audience without it being a "save the world" story. Even though there are prominent supernatural elements, they feel connected to the story and the world, being close to sea.

The world-building Schaap creates is also beautiful, and I think this is a book you could come back to and re-read to find new nuances in the story that you missed the first time around. I understand why this book won awards in the Netherlands upon its release, and I hope it will be as popular for the English speaking world.

A beautiful tale of the sea, mermaids and friendships.

Lampie lives with her father Augustus in the lighthouse, and since he lost his leg, she helps to light the lamp every evening. Struggling to remember things, she is soon lost in the sand searching for treasures and food. One evening a storm rises and they are out of matches. The lamp can't be lit and disaster strikes.

Lampie is taken from her father and sent to live in the dark house in the forest, owned by the Admiral and rumored to be inhabited by a monster. Fearful, yet curious, Lampie bides her time and then seeks out the attic noises.
What she finds is totally unexpected. A boy with a large head, black eyes and a mermaid's tail lies under the bed and bites when angry. Many have been bitten and scared away but Lampie, in her simplicity, just wants to help. She forges a strange friendship with him and he in turn teaches her to read and write.

The house changes, no longer living in the shadow of a monster but filled with laughter, hope and friendship. Lampie has brought all this with her and it is a happier place until the announcement of the Admiral's return. He has always been unhappy with the boy and his tail, his inability to walk and the loss of the boy's mother. It is in true fairytale form the story of the mermaid and sailor, who had a child together.

When a circus arrives in town, Lampie meets a strange cast of characters travelling as freaks. They treat her kindly and she returns with Edward, the boy with a tail. There they meet his aunt, a mermaid trapped and she gives him hope that he can be more than he is.

Completely engrossing, this book does not disappoint. There are heart felt moments, fast paced adventure and realisations that pull all the threads together.

Completely wonderful.

I received the ARC of this translation from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This story follows Lampie, a young girl living in a lighthouse with her alcoholic father. Lampie's mother passed away and father has lost part of his leg, leaving her to climb the 61 stairs each evening to light the lighthouse and each morning to extinguish the light, until one night she forgets to buy matches and a terrible storm wrecks a nearby shop drawing attention to their situation. Lampie is sent to work where there is rumored to be a monster.

Lampie finds a middle ground with "the monster" who she calls Fish, but all told, this story didn't do much for me. She was an empathetic character but the fantasy element of this story came up short.

This is a smashing read; I’d love to read more from Annet Schaap in future. The story bounds along, and the author has a gift for creating and fully realizing lively, real characters: Lampie is marvelous, Edward is so real, Martha and Lenny are, too.

I’d love to meet Schaap, who takes the story of The Little Mermaid and rescues it from the schlock and doe-eyed giggling dilution of other retellings both in the movies and on the page, so that I could thank her in person. It’s wonderful to think that in future when anyone mentions the Little Mermaid, I shall get to think of this story instead of the ersatz retellings it used to conjure.

I wouldn’t be surprised if some American readers are upset by certain aspects of this book, particularly that Lampie forgives her father for neglecting her and striking her: there is a tendency among some American reviewers to see things in absolutes, but I encourage any reader capable of enjoying a rich and vivid story that doesn’t shy away from the complexity and reality of familial relationships to read this brilliant story.

It is as good a revisiting of a fairy tale as I have ever read, and deserves to be read and reread.

I received an advance copy of this book from Charlesbridge and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Charlesbridge for this digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

Description
For fans of The Hazel Wood, this middle grade novel takes the dark stuff of fairytales and crafts it into a powerful story of friendship and light.

Every evening Lampie, the lighthouse keeper's daughter, must light a lantern to warn ships away from the rocks, but one stormy night disaster strikes. The lantern is not lit, a ship is wrecked, and someone must pay.

To work off her debt, Lampie is banished to the Admiral's lonely house, where a monster is rumored to live. The terrors inside the house aren't quite what she thought they would be--they are even stranger. After Lampie saves the life of the neglected, deformed son of the admiral, a boy she calls Fish, they form a close bond. Soon they are pulled into a fairytale adventure swimming with mermaids, pirates, and misfits. Lampie will discover the courage to fight for friendship, knowledge, and the freedom to be different.

A retelling of the little mermaid that seemed too dark and violent for my taste.

Ready for a weird and harsh twist on The Little Mermaid fairytale? This twisted tale imagines the life of the offspring of the union between the mermaid and the human, told through the voice of a young, uneducated but fierce girl named Emilia.

Emilia, or Lampie as she is known, endures a hard life as a lighthouse keeper’s daughter, made more difficult by the loss of her beloved mother and her father’s subsequent drinking and depression. A horrible lapse in memory causes a terrible disaster, which separates Lampie and her father. Sent to live in the “Black House,” Lampie quickly comes to understand that there is something very wrong there. Lampie uncovers the secret of the household, the deformed son of the master who is kept locked in a tower room. Lampie finds that he is a rude little boy, but also much more. The two form an unusual friendship, which grows out of Lampie’s natural inclination to treat Edward, or Fish as she calls him, as any other person. Ultimately, they both find their ways to “home.”

This is not a sweet fairy story, but instead examines the darker side of human nature, focusing on the suspicion, fear and intolerance associated with people who are different. Beautifully written, with characters that jump off the pages and swim around in your mind long after the book is closed, Of Salt and Shore should be one of the most anticipated books of the year.

This is the perfect retelling. I'm always wary of classic 'twisted' fairy tales, since they often feel too familiar to be engaging. However, Schaap totally rewrites The Little Mermaid legend into a dark, beautiful friendship between the pirate-turned-lighthouse-keeper's daughter and a sheltered half-mermaid boy.

The writing itself is stunning, with a uniquely fluctuating POV that reminded me of the tides. Lampie finds voices in everything, a clever twist on the mermaid's voicelessness, which makes the whole world feel alive and singing. To top it off, we have a cast of characters who immediately stole my heart, from Lampie to Edward/Fish to Lenny to Martha. Even the villains were perfectly dastardly; Miss Amalia gave me huge Professor Umbridge vibes. Enemies-to-friends is one of my favourite tropes, so I found it extremely enjoyable to watch the bond between Lampie and Fish grow - it manages to be both complicated and simple at the same time, as all the best children's books are.

My only complaint was the abruptness of the ending. From what I could find, there is no planned sequel, and there were so many loose ends. I don't mind a little ambiguity, but it felt like we were missing a last couple of chapters (what happens to Fish??). There are also some elements that might resonate differently with North American audiences, certain language usage around 'freaks' and 'deformities,' as well as a strangely forgiving portrayal of abuse. I'm undecided on those fronts.

But do I think this book is 'too dark' for MG readers? Oh, absolutely not. I think young readers probably have read and heard much worse, and the fantasy element adds an extra layer of removal. Schaap writes with the confidence of a classic storyteller, and I would 100% recommend to lovers of dark, atmospheric fairy tales. Just be careful - these mermaids BITE. 4/5.

This story is such an enchanting tale of childhood innocence and friendship. Despite everything set against them, they overcame and triumphed. I really enjoyed the development of Lamour at the Admiral's house, as she came into her own power as an independent person, belonging to no one but herself, despite her young age.

A very interesting book &not what I was expecting at all! I was a fan of the dark undertones (although this is marketed as middle grade but it's very dark for that age range). Certsin aspects were brilliant- I really connected with Lampies character & the mermaid plot. Would definitely re read this and recommend

Thank you to Charlesbridge on netgalley for this digital copy.

This was a cute story about friendship. I thought the style of writing was very unique. It seemed a little like it was trying to be a poem style. But other than that it wasnt very exciting to read. I liked the characters and storyline. But it didnt really pop for me.

I received a review copy of this book through NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts.

Okay, wow.

I have never read a twist on a fairy tale that felt more like its own story (granted I haven't read a lot of them) but Annet Schaap does an amazing job of this.

This story follows our main character, Lampie, and her experience with having to abandon everything she knows and finding who and what everything around her really is. She learns to read, to write, to be a hero.

Genuinely I did not expect to love this story as much as I do. Lampie is such a likeable character, and although it is loosely a twist on The Little Mermaid, it is completely it's own entity. The pacing was amazingly perfect, and every twist I did not expect. It is a little on the heavier side (more of the dark, "realistic" mermaids rather than friendly) but wow that is exactly what this story needed.

I would highly recommend this to anyone who really likes The Little Mermaid but wants to step outside of their comfort zone. Wow.

This might easily be your favorite book of late summer. A quick read, but still substantial and left my heart full of ALL THE FEELS. Definitely put this on your list for upper elementary, middle grades, but there's something here for older readers, too.

Lampie is a loyal daughter to a lighthouse keeper who perseveres through a variety of tough situations and unusual circumstances. Due to her father’s mistake, Lampie must help work off her father’s debt at a rundown house rumored to be holding a monster. What Lampie finds there is a unique set of friends, a magical new world, and an adventure she never expected.

For a middle grade read, this story got into some deep-thinking concepts of acceptance, abuse, and family. I think middle school students would relate and appreciate many of the aspects found within the story. Children will get swept up along with Lampie as she problem solves tough situations and shows grit by never giving up. With mermaids, pirates, storms, a mysterious house, and family secrets, imaginations will definitely be drawn into the story.

What I loved about this story is the line between reality and fantasy. The author does a great job creating a story with elements of magical realism, which had me debating back and forth the character of Fish. The writing style almost has a lyrical quality that flows as smooth as the tides do in the novel. It was a hauntingly beautiful book with elements kids and adults could appreciate and learn from.

While I did enjoy this read, I would only give it four stars due to the quickness/acceptance at the ending and because of its slow start.

I received an advance copy of this book from Charlesbridge and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you netgalley for an ARC of this marvelous middle grade book.

What a wonderfully whimsical book. It was like The Secret Garden meets The Little Mermaid and I loved every page. I loved the setting and all the amazing characters.
I wish I could give this more than 5 stars

This was beautifully written, and it reminded me a bit of The Secret Garden. It’s really a lovely story, and I’ll definitely alert my library staff of this book.

I really enjoyed the story. It took me a few chapters to let the magic settle in, but once I was fully immersed in their world I could not put the book down.

The story follows Lampie, the daughter of the lighthouse keeper, and the aftermath of a bad storm in their seaside town. She is separated from her family and learns how to deal with all sorts of monsters who pop up in her life.

This is a wonderful fairy tale that will capture your imagination and leave you wanting more.

This was an ARC from #netgalley. I loved this book. It is geared toward middle school and I would definitely share this book with my fifth grade students. There are many layers and lovable characters in this novel. They are all facing challenges and I was rooting for them to come through even when the situation seemed impossible. Lampie is the daughter of the lighthouse keeper. Lately, the duties of keeping the lighthouse have fallen to her. Then, one night, during a storm, she runs out of matches. Meanwhile, in another house, there is a child hidden from the world. When their lives intersect, we see they are capable of so much more than anyone expected.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

A lovely story built around friendship, love, and magic. Though this version is a translation from the original publication in Dutch, the story is not lost and the characters are lovable. Of Salt and Shore is sure to capture the hearts of middle grades readers.

Every night the lighthouse beacon must be lit, but what happens if one night it isn’t?

This book tells the story of Lampie and her father, the lighthouse keeper, dealing with the consequences after a ship is destroyed on the rocks outside the lighthouse on a night when the beacon has not been lit.

From the very first page, this story truly felt like a fairytale with its beautiful illustrations and atmospheric writing.

Lampie is a loveable main character with such a unique and interesting perspective on the world. She has had a hard life but she is still so kind and determined that you can’t help but root for her from beginning to end.

The way she communicates with nature is such a beautiful addition to this story and makes it truly unique from anything else I have ever read. I also really enjoyed Lampies mothers narrative in the story and how it made it feel like although Lampie was alone at points in the story it still felt as though someone was looking out for her.

This book explores many important themes including family, friendship, grief and abuse. It includes a vast array of unique characters (from maids and school teachers to circus performers and merpeople) meaning there is never a dull moment. Though we spent little time with certain side characters it truly felt as though the author tried to add as much backstory and individuality as possible to each one.

I would recommend this story to any fairytale lover, though, I do think with some of the heavier topics discussed in this story it would probably be better suited to slightly older middle grade readers.

*I have given this book three stars based on my personal enjoyment of the story and it’s content, however, based on writing and plot alone it is definitely worthy of four stars or more.*

I'm so glad I picked up this book! It spoke more than any moral lesson could.

Originally written in Dutch called Lampje, Of Salt and Shore is a beautiful children literature that inspires friendship and love for our family. It also addresses discrimination and rights for an education in a subtle way. With that, I think this book should be read by people of all age groups.

I loved how this book was simply written as a fantasy adventure based on The Little Mermaid where it takes off from when the mermaid leaves her baby behind with the human and returns to the sea. However, the main character is a girl named Lampie who was brought to this child's house to work after she messes up her father's job by forgetting to light up the lighthouse causing a ship to crash. She then meets this child, a boy who she calls Fish, and they form a bond.

I also enjoyed all the characters and the relationship among them, the plot which was very exciting especially towards the end (there was an added hint of mystery), and the setting of a small village. Besides, who doesn't love a retelling? I'm a total sucker for these stories.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Charlesbridge through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Charlesbridge through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thanks to NetGalley and Charlesbridge for providing me the opportunity to review.

This book tells the story of Lampie and her father, the lighthouse keeper, dealing with the consequences after a ship is destroyed on the rocks outside the lighthouse on a night when the beacon has not been lit.

Lampie is a loveable main character with such a unique and interesting perspective on the world. She has had a hard life but she is still so kind and determined that you can’t help but root for her from beginning to end.

There was an air of magic to the book too which all the children that I know love in a story. This is a tale that will capture your heart and have you reading non-stop

It has echoes of both The Secret Garden and The Little Mermaid, but is entirely its own wonderful tale!

This fairytale continuation is part “little mermaid,” part “The Secret Garden” and part “Jane Eyre.” Lampie is the lighthouse keeper’s daughter but she is sent to live in the Black House after a terrible accident. There she finds a harried housekeeper, her developmentally disabled son, a handy man, two dogs and the rumor of a monster in an upstairs room. Once she is brave enough to seek the answer to the question hiding locked in the attic she finds, not a monster, but a boy. A strange boy, with the tale of a fish.

Lampie is strong and clever and creative. She befriends the housekeeper and her son and eventually, the boy in the attic as well. She continues to try to find a way to contact her father, back at the light house. Through it all she is guided by the voice of her mother, who never leaves her, and aided by her found family. In the end this novel is both illuminating and hopeful.

This dark, middle-grade story told in a classical fairytale style was an enjoyable, nostalgic read. With just the right blend of gothic horror, fantasy and suspense, this story had me hooked until the end. When Lampie, a poor lighthouse man's daughter is sent to work in the dark house on the hill, she must confront her fears that arise from rumours of the monster that lives there. A dark mystery, mermaids, pirates, a haunted house, a bunch of diverse characters, and an unlikely heroine makes this story a fabulous addition to any collection for middle-graders.

I would have rated this book five stars but for the numerous formatting issues with the Kindle copy I received from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. Hopefully these issues may be rectified for future release of this beautifully crafted story.
4.5 stars

This was an enjoyable book! Its characters felt very real and the plot was really interesting! Overall it was a very good experience and I liked it a lot!

This was billed as an old-fashioned fairy tale, and I think it did quite well at living up to that label.

Lampie is a lighthouse keeper's daughter when disaster strikes and she's sent away to work in an admiral's big old haunted house. The situation between her and Edward, the admiral's son, reminds me almost of The Secret Garden, if Colin's lameness had been caused by being a half-merman. Overall, pretty cute and very enjoyable.

Of Salt and Shore- Annet Schaap

⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book is set for “Middle Grades” which happen to be one of my favorite book genres. I love being able to explore books for my students and this is one of those books that I will recommend to anyone looking for a fantasy of sorts.

This book has been translated from Dutch, and the translation is subtle. There are times when something doesn’t read all that correctly, but gives it a whimsical feel.

The beginning reminds me of Aquaman, based solely on the description of the novel and how the book begins. A lighthouse keeper with his child and no mother. That is where the parallels end. I was surprised by the reveal of the child, but Lampie’s determining spirit kept me hooked.

I loved Lampie’s character and Edward’s even more. The author does a really fabulous job giving us enough background information on Edward and gives us a fun adventure between the two of them.

With that being said, I was yearning for more. I could have lived with a little more closure. Was this my favorite middle grade book I’ve read this year? No. Would my students still enjoy it? Absolutely.




This book is scheduled for publication in October 2020.




I was given an advanced ereader copy by #Netgalley and @Charlesbridgepublishing in exchange for a honest review.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. It is currently set to be published in September 2020.

This book was an awesome read, starting out at a slow pace, like a proper fairytale, and then gradually picking up its pace, building up to the final climax.
In its darkest pages this novel managed to pleasantly surprise me, because I didn't expect a children's book to touch on such sensitive issues as abusive parents (and the conflicting emotions their kids suffer from), persecution of the different, self-hatred and the difficult journey to self-acceptance.
The author bravely tackled these and a few more thorny problems, and she did so in a very respectful and gentle way that never crosses the line between what's age-appropriate for middle-grade readers and what is not.
I think this book is an excellent read not only for children, but also for grownups, and that everybody can learn something from this story and be enriched by it.
I've just finished it now, but I'm definitely going to re-read it someday.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3294006252

Of Salt and Shore is an atmospheric and dark fairy-tale of a story. It starts out with a grim premise-Lampie,- a 12-year old lighthouse keeper's daughter struggles to take care of her angry, crippled father but due to a series of misfortunes including being hit by her father, is sent to live as a servant in a foreboding mansion. She meets the ornery housekeeper and her mentally disabled son, and learns of a monster that lives on the top floor. Lampie eventually meets and befriends the creature, who is half-boy and half-mermaid, and by the end of the story, we're thrown thick into mermaids, pirates, circus side-show characters, and saving both family and friends. The writing style is visceral and immediate, immersing the reader in the character's worlds and thoughts.

I really enjoyed this middle grade novel!


This was such a cute little read, I really enjoyed the narrative and the characters. It gave me Brothers Grimm vibes with some of it's more gruesome aspects.


I think my favourite thing about this novel was its fast pace! It stomped through the narrative taking no prisoners. The chapters were short  and punchy and overall a nice easy read as they transitioned really easy through each one. The characters were distinctive and I enjoyed the subtle nod to The Little Mermaid.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC

This was so much fun to read! The atmosphere created in this book was indeed like a fairytale.
This book has reminded me very often of childrens classics. I would say Lampie deserves a seat on a table with Alice and Dorothy.

I was drawn to this book from the beginning. I love fairy tale retellings because its so nice to see such a different spin on the classics and to see how the author makes it their own at least in the first few chapters. This book is a retelling of the classic story of the little mermaid. It is all about our main character Lampie who lives with her father who is charge of the light house. When our character forgets to light the lighthouse one night it unfortunately causes the death of a local sailor. This leaves her father and her on bad terms and things only get worse. In order to save face and pay off the debt that has occurred, Lampie and her father, are split up. Her father is left where they are and Lampie is sent to a new house with a new family. I was expecting this story to be a lot more about the mermaids and fantasy that way when it wasn't about that as much at all. Not my favourite book and I found the direction a little lacking. It was very hard to even figure out what the author was trying to say and the plot was all over the place. Its almost like the set up and the actual novel were two different books written by two different authors. The first half of the story wasn't the best however it wasn't until about half way through that we got to meet the mermaids that was when it really started to take off for me
at least interested wise however I still found the story line to be all over the place and really hard to follow. I really enjoyed Lenny AKA Fish's character it was nice to see a mythical creature portrayed with such a bad attitude instead of all rainbows and such. There were so many things that I liked about this book that it is so hard to narrow it down. This is one children's book that I think will really find a place with all children as well as the parents that read them out-loud. I'm so glad that I got the chance to check out this book it was really magical.

I really enjoyed this story. It's pretty dark for being labeled as a middle-grade book, but not so dark that I wouldn't let my kids read it. Lampie is a really sweet and endearing main character who grows throughout the book and overcomes her numerous obstacles, and this story feels like one of those old-school timeless Grimm-Style fairytales. (which are my favorite).

The only thing I didn't love was the ending. It was pretty abrupt and I still had some questions. Not sure if there's going to be a sequel or not, but if there isn't, then that's a bummer. Overall though, I would absolutely recommend this book to middle-grade students or anyone who likes a dark twist on old-fashioned fairytales.

This was a lovely twist on The Little Mermaid. I found the story highly engaging, and I like the dark tone. This is the type of book I would have loved as a preteen, and I know several students who will love it.

Of Salt and Shore by Annet Schaap is a beautiful but dark middle grade book inspired by the story of the Little Mermaid. The book tells the story of Emilia, more commonly known as Lampie, who lives with her father and helps him to man the lighthouse. Her life is hard, her father has turned to alcohol to dull the pain of his past, and his amputated leg, and a lot of the responsibility for the day to day running of the lighthouse falls on Lampie's young shoulders. When Lampie goes into town for matches but is trapped by a terrible storm, her father is unable to light the lamp and a ship founders. In punishment he is locked into the lighthouse and Lampie is taken to work as a servant in a local house. The house is supposed to be cursed and home to a monster, and Lampie is lonely and terrified at first, but eventually learns that the monster is nothing more that a sick boy, the son of the Admiral. The boy has a mermaid's tail and strange black eyes, and his father is ashamed and embarrassed by him, just as he was by the boy's mother, a mermaid. He is determined that the boy must be hidden away, but Lampie wants to try to help him, thought that help at times leads him right into danger.
As I said the book is inspired by the Little Mermaid, but instead of the familiar story the author focuses on how the child of a union between a man and a mermaid could survive. There are some darker moments, especially involving a trip by the children to a carnival , and I think the book is probably more suited to the older end of the middle grade age range. I also saw parallels to another childhood favourite of mine, The Secret Garden, with the sick child hidden away, and the young girl who moves into the house as a stranger but becomes a catalyst for growth and change.
The characters are all very good, but Lampie in particular is well executed and very believable. She is easy to relate to and that makes it easy for the reader to be drawn into the story.
Overall I really enjoyed the book and I would definitely read more by this author.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

Of Salt and Shore (alternatively titled in English “Lampie and the Children of the Sea”) follows Lampie, the lighthouse keeper’s young daughter. Every day Lampie is tasked with lighting the lamp in the lighthouse to prevent ships from smashing into the rocks. But she has a penchant for forgetfulness which leads to a shipwreck. And so this leads her onto a strang and mysterious adventure awaits within the dusty halls of the Black House where a monster is rumoured to live. However, what she discovers is far more strange and magical than what she bargained for. This book was translated from Dutch by Laura Watkinson.

Firstly, I have to commend Watkinson on her translation as I believe she did an excellent job in conveying the atmosphere this story deserved. This was such a beautiful, magical middle-grade story about unlikely yet heart-warming friendships, complex family dynamics and finding your place in the world. There are certain elements readers may want to be aware of, such as parental abuse, death of a parent and a child with special needs.

The story was set in a seaside town with a dangerous rock formation, a lonely lighthouse on the outskirts of the town and a mysterious house on the cliff. We had an assortment of interesting and distinct characters; from a spirited child to a nosy self-centred school teacher to a cranky maid with a silent son and an absent groundskeeper. And of course, there's always the monster.

Lampie was such a precious and innocent child who really saw the best out of people. I love her determination and the way she found joy in the little things in life. Her relationship with her father was rather rocky in the beginning but I was really happy that, by the end, they were able to start being a family once again. Lampie's interactions with the people around her were so wholesome. This book, in a nutshell, was rather wholesome yet with some sad undertones.

The "monster" was more magical and more human than I expected. I love the bond that developed between Lampie and our so-called monster. Albeit they were quite hard on each other in the beginning, the friendship that blossomed, in the end, was incredibly precious. And I loved how they each taught the other something special, and helped one another find where they each belong.

This book reminded me of a mix of Malamander by Thomas Taylor with the eerie quality of the seaside town, and the atmosphere and tone of The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill. The overall plot was predictable, but as an older reader that isn't really something to criticise on. I loved the direction the story took and the messages, both obvious and those you end between the lines, this story said.

Overall, I would highly recommend middle-grade readers to definitely give this story a go!

This story, by Annet Schaap, is a dark middle grade book inspired by the story of the Little Mermaid. The lighthouse keeper's daughter, Emilia, who goes by Lampie, helps man the lighthouse, but one night she doesn't have the matches. There is a terrible storm and a ship runs ashore. Lampie must work of her debt as a servant for the Admiral. She befriends the sick, deformed boy in the house, who is the son of the Admiral. He has a mermaid's tail! The adventures begin. There are dark moments, but characters are likeable. The story is beautifully written. I really enjoyed the book. Thank you Netgalley and Edelweiss for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.

I received a digital arc copy and I’m so glad I read it. It was such a sweet heart filled book. There is a bit of suspense as you want to know what is going to happen next.

Of Salt and Shore can be read as an imagined follow up to the original version of The Little Mermaid, and I’m pleased to say it retains the contrasting menace and charm that characterize classic fairy tales. We follow Emilia, nicknamed Lampie, the daughter of a lighthouse keeper. When she is held responsible for a terrible accident that takes place during a storm, Lampie is sent to work off her debt at the Black House, the ominous home of the absent Admiral. It is said that a monster resides within the Black House, but what she finds is much stranger and far more complex.

I found this such a thrilling and enchanting read, with Lampie and the ragtag group she meets along the way endearingly flawed characters. Schaap both indulges in and subverts fairy tale tropes, creating an atmosphere that is somehow both befitting of the classic tales that came before it, and refreshingly original. I also appreciated the bigger themes she managed to weave into the story to add extra resonance for contemporary readers, with commentary on the likes of parental abuse, finding family, othering, and self-acceptance all enhancing the narrative.

Though the climax was suitably dramatic, I did think things came to a rather abrupt end, with a couple of threads left hanging a little too loose for my liking. This felt like an especially unusual choice for a novel that is both fairy tale inspired and middle grade, both of which tend to favor neat resolutions. Still, I thoroughly enjoyed every moment I spent with this whimsical story; grateful that it neither shied away from the dark lifeblood that runs throughout authentic fairy tales, nor lost the messages of love and light that make them timeless.

Absolutely brilliant read. Clever, creative and unique with a cast of imperfect, damaged and deeply relatable characters. Loved it and have already recommended it to everyone I know!

I adored this book. Yes, there are some dark elements to it, it is a kind of retelling of some fairytales (The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Peter Pan). But I really, really liked these characters. I love Lampie and her tenacity and drive to do what's right above what is just expected. Even when dark or upsetting things happen, Lampie knows what's wrong and what to stand up against. The black and white illustrations and little chapter additions are beautiful too. This was a book that swept me away just like the sea and its pirates and merfolk inside the pages.

Annet Schaap is a powerful writer. We are tossed and swirled and thoroughly drenched in the opening part of the book. Lampie has to get herself across the causeway and back, all to get a box of matches to light the lighthouse lamp in the coming storm. The storm is also a symbol of the high emotions running inside the lighthouse, between the disabled keeper and his motherless daughter.

Lampie is consigned in the most abrupt fashion to a house on the hill where a monster is rumoured to live. In the normal manner of middle grade books, Lampie finds the secreted boy in the tower, and teaches him to show himself in public. Lampie is a bit too good to be true, as the other characters themselves are melted by her good-heartedness, but somehow this failed to twang my insincerity strings, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Until we got to the fair.  I am allergic to fairs in books. Nothing good ever comes of them, and the plot seemed pretty much laid bare.

And actually, once I'd gathered the courage to go back to the book, it was both as predictable as I'd feared, and unpredictable. I enjoyed it, without it becoming all squishy.  And everything happened more or less as you'd expect it to turn out, with the most marvellous writing and a delightful twist.

A really heartwarming, rewarding read, even for old cynics like me!

ittle Lampie, the lighthouse keeper’s young daughter has forgotten to purchase matches to light the lighthouse lamp and rushes out in the terrible storm to get some. By the time she makes it back, it’s too late. A ship has struck the rocks and is wrecked. When the sheriff and other townspeople show up, they discover that Lampie had been the one lighting the lamp, her alcoholic one-legged father merely residing in the lighthouse. Lampie is taken away immediately to work off the debt her family now owes for the cost of the ship and its contents, while her father is walled into the lighthouse.
Working her debt off as a servant at the Admirals house, she soon settles into life there, but when she discovers the deformed son of the admiral locked up in a tower, she takes the time to make friends with him, shocking the others that live there. When Edward, the admiral’s son, and Lampie head out on an adventure, the fun and excitement begin.
This is an absolutely charming children’s tale, but it’s not your usual rainbows and unicorns. This story is dark and gritty, set in a time when young children were forced to work Our poor motherless protagonist had to deal with an alcoholic father, forcing her to actually have to make sure that the lamp in the lighthouse was lit each night and extinguished the next morning. After she is taken away following the shipwreck, she is placed into a position in the house as a helper to work off the cost of that wreck. It’s only when she meets Edward that the adventure actually begins. Mermaids, a town fair with a sideshow full of strange characters, and pirates await the pair.
The story for me does drag in some areas, making it hard to get through those parts, but it’s well worth it. The adventure, the sea, the pirates and mermaids await you.
**I received an ARC of this story from the publisher and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

Of Salt and Shore really is a delightful retelling of The Secret Garden with a dash of Jane Eyre and Splash mixed with wonderful character development, beautiful coastal setting descriptions, and a story of mermaids I have not quite heard told in this way before. I thoroughly enjoyed this book; I hoped it would be included in a MG crate, but alas, it does not seem as though it will.

Lampie lives in a coastal town with her father, the lighthouse keeper. She also keeps the lighthouse for him, as he spends his days incapacitated and reeling over the death of his wife, Lampie’s mother. Naturally, putting such a burden on a child leads to disaster, and it shows up in the form of a storm during which the lighthouse remains unlit due to a lack of matches to light it.

Because of this incident, Lampie’s father is imprisoned in the lighthouse, and Lampie is sentenced to serve the household of the captain whose ship sank during the storm. It is during this stint that Lampie comes to meet a monster, who turns out to be a boy shut up in his room, imprisoned as much as Lampie is, and the two form an unexpected bond that ends in freedom for both of them.

The character interactions in this book really made it a joy to read; I loved them and felt attached to them just as Lampie is. Schaap’s pacing matches the plot; it slows in the middle after Lampie arrives at her place of servitude and plunges the reader into her world only to pull readers quickly out of it as abruptly as she is at the end. Younger readers should not have a problem keeping interest.

My thanks to Edelweiss and NetGalley for the ARC, for which I give my own opinion.

Of Salt and Shore is a story of pirates and sideshows and secrets and loss. But it’s also the story of Emalia aka “Lampie,” a spunky little girl with the same kind of moxie that makes Pippi Longstockings so endearing. I was hooked like a fish on a line. The story is emotionally engaging, and I didn’t want it to end. I love when a book makes me feel something toward the characters, and reading this made me want to hug Lampie, smack her daddy, and drop a bag of flour on storekeeper Mrs. Rosewood’s foot, and that’s just within the first couple of chapters. Lampie has to overcome a lot of obstacles, and she takes a lot of knocks, but she keeps getting herself back up and pushing ahead. No matter what happens, she just keeps moving forward. Her life is full of action, adventure, tragedy, and, eventually, kindred spirits and camaraderie. I think the knickname Lampie fits because, no matter how dark a turn things take, she finds a way to shine a light into the situation.
I could easily see Of Salt and Shore being made into a movie, perhaps something along the lines of A Monster Calls, only not quite as dark. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and stayed up late reading into the wee hours because I couldn’t put it down.

A dark but excellent story! Emilia (nicknamed Lampie) is a 12-year-old lighthouse keeper’s daughter. Her mother unfortunately died and she now lives with just her father – Augustus. He has a wooden leg, is in debt and is always drunk. He fully relies on Lampie to climb the many steps and light the lamp every night.
Every night the light must be lit to warn ships of the dangerous rocks. However, one night after discovering that no matches are left, Lampie tries to get to the village to buy some more. With a terrible storm increasing in ferocity, Lampie gets back too late – a ship has hit the rocks.
Lampie is taken away and her father is locked in the lighthouse for 7 years until the debt to the ship’s owner is paid. The Black House is where Lampie is taken. It is the admiral’s home where rumours of a monster living there is rife amongst the villagers.
Upon meeting Fish (real name Edward), Lampie sees past the monster with strange, black absent eyes, and a ‘tail’. She is patient and tries to befriend him.
The book is full of dark elements and imperfect characters. It is set in a different time, where deformities were hidden or paraded for profit in circuses. It has some uncomfortable issues such as parental abuse.
Before reading, I wasn’t aware that the story had been translated from Dutch by Laura Watkinson, and also it had links to ‘The Little Mermaid’ which made sense as I read it. Definitely a 5 star read! A good place for children to discus how disabilities were perceived in history.

This book was fantastic! It was slow going for me but boy am I glad that I stuck with it! Lampie was a realistic child with adult responsibilities. Annet Schaap is a brilliant author and although it was difficult to see the direction of the story she was able to weave the details together into what became a wonderful story. Grateful for the opportunity to read it.

3.75⭐️s

Thank you to Netgalley, Annet Schaap and Charlesbridge for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!!

I was not too sure about this book when I first started it, but holy dark modern day fairytale!!!! Once I got going I rapidly worked my way through it and was really invested in the characters and what they were going through! I enjoyed that we get to see different events from different characters point of view, although Lampie is definitely the main narrator.

I can only imagine how neat the finished physical copy is going to look with illustrations of the characters and some of the amusing and dark scenarios they live through!

I think this is great for fans of dark fairytales (Grimm) and dark but not super scary children’s books. Better for older children (12 and up, I would say) and a great display of friendship and overcoming differences. Acceptance is also a great theme in this book!

Reading this book was a breath of fresh air! Adventure, fantasy, pirates, mermaids and monsters - there's plenty within these pages to intrigue readers of all ages.

Young Lampie, the lighthouse keeper's daughter, tries her best to take care of her depressed and disabled father since the death of her mother. She walks the stairs each night to light the lamp and knows how important a job it is. But she's still a child and she gets caught up in her thoughts sometimes. When evening is falling and a bad storm is starting, she realizes that she forgot to buy more matches to light the lamp. She goes out in what soon becomes a fierce storm to get some from the shop in town, but before she can get back to the lighthouse, the wind has blown her basket with the matches away. In the darkness, a ship crashes upon the rocks.

Lampie and her father are told they must repay the cost of the ruined ship. Lampie is taken from her home and placed in the Black Manor, the Admiral's house, to help Martha, the housekeeper. No one from town wants anything to do with the house, or the people in it. Everyone knows a monster lives there, and it's dangerous! Best to stay away altogether. The day Lampie arrives happens to be the day that Joseph, who takes care of the monster, dies. No one else will even consider going upstairs to where the monster lives, so Lampie becomes its new caretaker.

What follows is a charming tale of optimism, bravery, discovering what's important and what's not. Old ideas are challenged, friendships are made, differences are exposed, acknowledged and respected. It isn't only Lampie that grows into her own as events unfold.

As is true with all fairy tales, there is a dark side to the book. Child abuse, neglect, discrimination, and lechery are at play as well. But goodness wins out because light overtakes the dark and because acts of kindness matter. In fact they matter so much that little acts of kindness can change people and situations; they are so powerful, they can change the world.

My thanks to NetGalley and Charlesbridge for granting me access to an ARC of the book in exchange for an unbiased review. All opinions stated here are my own. My thanks, also, to the author, for reminding me that I'm never too old to read fairy tales!! This book earns 5 stars from me!

A sweet, unexpected story that deeps in the complexity of family, friendship, diversity, acceptance and hope.

Developed in a Victorian like setting, in an unknown costal town, the story follows Lampie (Emilia) a sweet little girl that has been burden with the fate of her father, a disable drunken lighthouse keeper, after the sudden death of her mother. A responsibility that will be turn upside down by a terrible storm.

In her new situation, a varied group of characters from a gossipy school teacher, to the Admiral's house staff, and even a carnival freak show (mermaids and mermen included!), will accompany her path, helping and being helped, understanding the value of acceptance and empowerment.

With beautiful illustration and an enthralling writing style that even got me angry and frustrated with some situations and characters (related more with the period of time, the practices and prejudices for woman, disable and poor people), but also made me root for the weak to overcome the narrow windows towards success.

A pretty story that provides a simple reference to the challenges of disabilities, both physical (Lampie's father or Edwards) and mental (Lenny), as well as the negative effects of self loathing, and enslavement, and also the capacity that we all have to move on and have a better life.

An ARC of this book was kindly provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Happy publication day!

Annet Shaap's novel is published in the english language, translated from the dutch, today and I could not possibly not recommend this book! It is quite obvious why this debut novel has already won 4 awards including the best Dutch children's book of the year for 2018.

I loved the premise of it, mermaids, pirates, lighthouses, monsters.. which is why I requested it from #Netgalley in the first place. And it did not dissappoint. In fact, it suprised me on how well the author weaved in some very important topics all the while keeping it middle grade friendly in without simplifying them. Trigger warnings to be inserted here are child abuse and neglect.

Very atmospheric setting, quite a darker and sadder story than I expected but beautiful nonetheless, clever character development and just stunning illustrations! Annet Shaap is known in the Netherlands especially due to her illustrations skills and one can clearly see why! I thought the translation was beautifully executed but I would gladly re-read this in Dutch as I always love reading books in their original language if possible. So a Middle Grade book like this sounds like it fits like a glove for that as my Dutch is quite dusty!

Loved the main character called Lampie and I felt like I wanted to hug her so many times throughout the story which examines the sometimes darker side of human nature that is weary about the 'different' and 'unknown'. Very important to have these books nowadays when these matters have become all the more relevant and prominent and I hope it continues that way in all possible genres and target groups.

Thank you Netgalley and Charlesbridge Publications for sending me the eArc in an exchange for an honest review.

#spoonfulofhygge #ofsaltandshore #netgalley #happypublicationday #publicationday #bookpublicationday #charlesbridge #annetshaap #middlegrade #middlegradebook #2020books #under4k #swedishbookstagram #bookstagram #bookworm #bookstaengaged #bookstadragons #islandbookshelves #queerbookfeatures

Such a lovely, lovely story, full of struggle and discovery, with a fulfilling ending. Left its imprint on my heart for sure.

I truly wish I could say more but to tell of Lampie's strength or Fish's determination may spoil it.

Thank you to @NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read Of Salt and Shore. To Vharlesbrudge for publishing and to Annet Schaap for writing.

From the first page, I was drawn to Lampie and her life, the feeling that she was something other than human, being present early on.
This Middle Grade work is wonderful, original, whimsical, magical and also on the scary side!

This was a cute little tale about how no body is limited by how other people see them. Lampie was told all of her life that she was slow but she never believed and when after a storm she meets the monster in the old house, she realizes that what some people call a monster is just someone else who was never given a chance.

A traditional fairytale. Beautiful whimsical and lovely with a touch of darkness. A very comforting read to anyone who adores middle grade or child's fiction. Adorable friendships and great family relationships. 10/10

Anne Schaap has written a beautiful book. Of Salt and Shore is the story of Emilia, known by the village as "Lampie" because her job, since she could walk, is to light the lantern in the lighthouse each night. One day she becomes distracted and forgets to buy matches with disastrous results. Her father, never the same since he lost his leg and his wife, Lampie's mother passed, was locked in the lighthouse to light the lantern each night. Lampie was taken away and forced to work in the Admiral's Black House, a dark, dreary mansion rumored to be inhabited by a monster. Lampie isn't there long before she discovers that the monster is actually the abandoned son of the Admiral. His caretaker and companion died, which is why Lampie was needed - to clean and clean with one afternoon off a month. Her natural curiosity gets the better of her and Lampie discovers the boy, and why he is kept hidden. What happens next is a thrilling adventure involving a carnival, pirates, mermaids and hysterical villagers. Lampie has to rely on wits and courage she didn't know she had. Her courage has miraculous results. This is an excellent book for middle-schoolers. Readers of any age will enjoy Schaaps stark, magical writing style. There are a lot of ways to discuss this book that would make for a thoughtful, engaging book club or reading group selection. I am grateful for the opportunity to read an ARC and the opinions stated here are completely my own.

Even after the happily ever after of any novel, there's always, "but what if..." as the characters continue to live in our heads.
This is what Dutch illustrator Annet Schaap has done with a very different take on the Little Mermaid in her middle school debut novel.
This beautiful and twisted telling includes mermaids, pirates, and monsters and enough twists and turns to give you a backache, but you're all the better for it.
A fast read, but one that hits the range of emotions about friendship, loss, and determination to do what's right.

*I received an advanced reader copy of this book for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review (even if I am reviewing this very very late).

OF SALT AND SHORE is beautiful. The world that Lampie, our young protagonist, lives in is vividly described and comes to live around her and the reader. Lampie herself is such a pure character - she only wants to help people around her and do the right thing. She never tires even though she has been through trauma and terrible loss. Her frustrations are valid and appropriate to her situation. The setting and the characters make this book for me.

I had some issues with the plot and the intended audience. We are lacking resolution for all of the characters in the story. An epilogue could have solved this for us. It's not too hard to imagine an ending for the unresolved issues, but some additional hints about the fate of a specific character would have been welcome. This book is written at the middle grades level, but there were some mature issues that would have to be discussed with adults. If a younger reader was reading this independently, I hope that they would be talking to a trusted adult about the issues in the book (specifically loss of a parent, physical abuse, and sexual harassment). I feel like the group that would most enjoy this book are adult readers. It is so beautifully written and doesn't feel like it is only for middle grades readers.

This was such a fun book to read before our beach vacation. A fairytale-like story that boys and girls, children and adults are sure to enjoy!

This is a good read for anyone who is feeling powerless and needs to feel more powerful. Young girls (and boys!) will benefit from the poignant messages of this book.

Translated from the Dutch, this has elements from several well-known fairytales, but manages to weave them together to create something fresh. Because of its classic roots, it goes darker than some modern MG fantasies, but it's a rich read.

I'm not sure there are words for how odd and great this book is but I'm going to try! I have never read a book written in this style, it is so unique and well done that it wasn't hard to read and added to this engrossing story. A twisty tale of loss and sadness, mermaids and pirates, and the worst and best in humanity, it gave me <i>A Series of Unfortunate Events</i> vibes but it also has a lightness that brings a smile to your face. The characters have a way of pulling at your heartstrings and cheering them on. This is a dark fantasy, fairytale-like story that I would recommend for middle grade to adult readers. Happy reading!

I absolutely adored this book. It is so beautifully written! I felt like I was in the novel because of the beautiful imagery. And, I love how the novel was lighthearted but also taught important themes like bravery. Totally recommend!!!

A magical tale for young and older readers, this book is a totally immersive middle-grade+ adventure, which takes the mermaid fairytale, shakes it out, and lets it settle into a new – and often unsettling – mythology.

Lampie’s life is a hard one and upsetting from the start, but she refuses to let that hold her back and tackles every challenge with courage and inner strength. We are thrust straight into the action with her perilous match-mission, and the tension doesn’t let up from there on in.

There were echoes of both Beauty and the Beast and The Secret Garden at times in the plot, but the depth and development of the characters kept the tale fresh and unique, and left me pining for more at the end.

I would love to see more from this author, and from the world and characters she has created here.

This was a really cute read, great for fans of The Hazel Wood! It was translated, so there are some sections where the writing doesn’t flow as well as other bits but it was a fun read!

I absolutely loved this one!
This book was such a wonderful read from start to finish.
I am always here for magical reads, especially in middle grade books. I loved the darker twist as well.
I would recommend this one for upper middle grade readers.

It took me a tiny bit to get into this middle grade, but once the reader gets to see all the main characters, the adventure really takes off. The imagination and world building made reading about this world very entertaining. I am more of a character reader, so after 40 pages or so, I was hooked to the story.
It did remain me a lot of the "Secret Garden" with hints of the "Little Mermaid," yet this book is also it's own creation. If you love sea stories, a main character never giving up, friends to end, pirates, an old manor, and your classic "bad" (not bad per say, maybe morally gray) guys type of tropes, you may have a good time like I did.
I am glad to get an e-copy from Netgalley and my local library (2022) has this book on the shelves. Oh the illustrations sprinkle through has a fairytale setting as well.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.