This is a middle grade fantasy that I wouldn't recommend missing.Ī heartfelt story with Carribean mythology, about mermaids and magical combs, 'being careful for what you wish for', and love and loss. I would also say that it doesn't have the perfect conclusion, but the a conclusion that works best for all characters involved. It's such a great introduction to Caribbean folklore, but not in a completely lighthearted manner which I appreciated. This book is definitely fantasy with some mysterious elements that worked well together. Stringfellow develops a great supporting cast of characters that not only teach Keela what it truly means to be happy, but also serve as a great support system throughout the entirety of the novel. There's a lesson to be learned in how Keela thinks she should be dealing with her grief and how it naturally happens. It's clear that Keela has a good relationship with her dad, but she's struggling with the regret of a comment she made to her mother right before she passed away. One of the my favorite aspects of this book was the way in which the narrative dives into what it means to grieve and how we process grief. While Ophida's narrative comes off quite sinister (and believe me when I say it is rather dark), they have more in common than meets the eye especially in terms of grief. Stringfellow did an excellent job with the character development in this story where readers had the opportunity to not only get the perspective of Keela, but also the mermaid, Ophida. Naturally, this wish and the future loss of the comb bring perilous consequences that Keela didn't expect. In return for the comb, the mermaid promises to grant her one wish. While on the beach she finds a comb which belongs to a mermaid. It centers around a young girl by the name of Keela who is trying to navigate the loss of her mother.
The actual structure of the story where the narrator states "crick crack - this is a story" calls for audience involvement pulling the reader fully into the story. One of the first things that I noticed about A Comb of Wishes is the emphasis that Stringfellow placed on the tradition of oral storytelling. I received this title for review, but all thoughts are my own. If you're a fan of Caribbean folklore especially those that involve mermaids, I think this one that you'll really end up enjoying. What a delightful, gem of a book! I kind of went into this book blind not really sure what to expect and I really ended up enjoying this.
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