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Selkie girl is written by Laurie Brooks and is her first book to be aimed at young adults.
Selkie Girl is a book about a girl named Eileen Jean who lives in the islands off from what I believe to be Europe. However she is not happy as she loves the dangerous waters of the sea rather than land. But the people on her home island are cruel and participate in the killing of seal like creatures named selkies. They do this by breaking their skull painfully with a club like the ones you see in cavemen cartoons. They use the selkies as pelts and their oil to light lamps. It seems like only her mother and Eileen herself care about the creatures. On midsummers eve, the selkie mothers with give birth on the beach nearby. The ones known to the selkies as killers will come and kill their babies as a way of population control and to use their skin and oil. Eileen and her family are outcasts as people believe her old and fragile mother to be a witch and Eileen has webbed hands. One day Eileen finds a box containing a pelt of a selkie hidden in her house and visions along with the song of the selkies sing to her everyday. Eileen is about to change the fate of both the land and sea very soon. Even if it endangers her life.
Eileen Jean is a girl who just cannot stay out of the sea. Though her family which includes her mom,grandpa, and her father, have told her to stay out due to the strong currents that drown sailors and sink boats everyday, she still goes anyway to swim with the selkies. Eileen is made fun of from other people in her town because of her love of the lives in the selkies. She has to wear long sleeves and gloves in order to hide her webbed hands that resemble a frogs hands and feet.
Her family consists of her dad (Who she calls Fither) Who is a very stern strict man. He protects his family with an iron fist at times and is somewhat controlling.
Eileen"s mom is a gentle soul who is old and worn. She is so fragile, her bones are like drift wood. She is feared to be a witch from the town people and often takes walks on the beach. Eileen"s Grandfather is a supportive man who helps Eileen whenever he can. Father of Eileen"s dad he often tries to calm him down when his temper exceeds him.
The plot has mystery tones to it as you guess of Eileen"s past and who is she really, and what she is to become. The chapters always have strong ending sentences so you always want to read more. However the book can be confusing to read as it uses language that is not common in America and gives off a very Irish tone. For example moms and dads are referred to as Fither and MIther like how british say mum instead of mom. But the book is very discripted and can give you a clear image of the events taking place. You can also feel the characters emotions whenever they are present and can have you remember who they are.
i recommend this book to people who like fantasy and folktale legends.
