Gertrude Chandler Warner - Mermaids of the Deep Blue Sea

As they got closer, the Aldens could hear their friend Katharine calling out. I think something bit me! she said, flailing about in the water.

Swim to the boat, her grandfather called back.

But Katharine didnt seem to be listening, so her grandfather went to the edge of the boat and started to climb over.

We can help her, Jessie called to him as their own boat approached.

Jessie, wait! said Benny. You dont know what could be out there.

Jessie scanned the shallow water. Theres nothing here, Benny. Dont let those old stories of sea monsters worry you. Everything will be okay.

Benny wasnt so sure. But before he could say another word, Jessie and Henry jumped into the water and started swimming toward their friend.

Copyright 2021 by Albert Whitman & Company

First published in the United States of America in 2021 by Albert Whitman & Company

ISBN 978-0-8075-0806-0 (hardcover)

ISBN 978-0-8075-0816-9 (paperback)

ISBN 978-0-8075-0818-3 (ebook)

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W hat brings you to Puerto Rico? the flight attendant asked fourteen-year-old Henry Alden. Are you visiting family?

Henrys little brother, Benny, was following him up the aisle of the airplane. Were searching for sea monsters! he said.

The flight attendant chuckled. Is that so? she asked.

We really are! said Benny. He held up a toy shark and a toy alligator and pretended they were chasing each other.

Its kind of a long story, Henry explained. Were visiting a friend of our grandfather.

Well, this works out perfectly, the flight attendant said. She stopped at a row where a young girl was sitting. The girls hair was tied in purple ribbons, and she had a purple stuffed animal on her lap. This is Katharine. Shes visiting family too. And shes ten, just like you, Violet. Weve arranged to seat you all together for the flight.

Hi, said Violet. I like your outfit. Purple is my favorite color. Violet turned to Jessie, who was twelve. Ill give up my turn to sit by the window and sit by Katharine instead. Benny, you can have the window seat.

Yay! Benny cheered. Maybe Ill spot a shipwreck or a giant sea monster!

Before long the plane was in the air, and Katharine turned to Violet. Is it true what your brother said? Are you really going to look for sea monsters?

Benny can be a little bitdramatic, Violet said.

She looked over at her six-year-old brother. He had taken out a plastic octopus and was making sound effects with his cheeks as it swam through the air.

Were helping our grandfathers friend, Violet said. Shes doing a television show for kids. Its about legendary creatures. Were helping her investigate.

Wow, that sounds amazing, said Katharine. What kinds of legendary creatures?

Benny leaned around Violet. First, we learned about bigfoots in Colorado. Then, in Iceland, we looked for elves and trolls. Nowsea monsters!

We dont know exactly what well be looking for at this stop, said Violet. Just that it has to do with the water.

Does your grandfather live in Puerto Rico? Jessie asked Katharine.

No, but hes writing a book that takes place there. He rented a big boat, and were going to stay on it while he does research.

You get to sleep on a boat? Benny asked. I hope we can do that.

Henry spoke up from across the aisle. What kind of books does your grandfather write?

Exciting ones! Katharine answered. Except theyre for grown-ups, so I havent read them. Are you going to learn about luscas too? My grandfather is putting one of those in his book.

Whats that? Benny asked.

Katharine shuddered. They are terrible sea monsters that come up out of the water and wrap their tentacles around you. She hugged her stuffed animal close.

Bennys eyes grew wider. Really?

Katharine nodded. Some of them are so big their tentacles can wrap around boats and sink them. I wish I had some paper. I could draw you a picture.

Violet took out a notepad and a pencil case and handed them to Katharine.

Ive heard of the lusca before, Henry said. Its another legendary creature, Benny.

Luscas arent just a legend, Katharine said as she started to draw. Ive read about them on the Internet. The girl drew a creature that had a sharks head and a body like an octopus with too many tentacles. There are lots of websites about it.

Some things on the Internet arent true, said Jessie.

You check them out. Youll see. Katharine added in some sharp teeth to the creatures mouth. She held up the drawing. Isnt it scary?

Benny looked at Katharines picture. He didnt mind sharks and octopuses, but he didnt like the thought of both of them together. Maybe I dont want to stay on a boat after all, he said. I hope thats not what were looking for.

I dont like them either, Violet said. But its a good drawing. Do you want to draw mermaids with me? Thats one legendary creature I want to learn more about.

Sure, Katharine said. Im better at drawing manatees though. She held up her stuffed animal. This is Winston. I draw him all the time.

Violet noticed Winston had a polka-dot tail. Do real manatees have polka dots on them? she asked.

Katharine giggled. No. A friend made Winston for me. Real manatees arent purple either. Theyre gray. But I wanted to see what a purple manatee with a polka-dot tail would look like. Then Katharine got a little shy. I know its silly, but I like it.

Violet smiled. I like it too.

Violet and Katharine talked and drew for the rest of the trip. Henry and Jessie read. And Benny went back to playing with his sea animals. Before long the plane wheels touched down, and everyone on the flight began to cheer and clap.

Benny clapped along. Then he looked up at Jessie. Whats going on?

A woman in the next row turned around and smiled. Its a tradition for people from Puerto Rico, she explained. We always cheer when we return. Were happy to be home.

I like that tradition, said Benny.

The Alden children got off the plane with Katharine, and an airline employee brought them to pick up their bags.

Dont we have to go through customs? Violet asked. We had to do that when we visited Iceland.

No, Henry said. Puerto Rico is part of the United States.

I never knew this was a state! said Benny.

Jessie shook her head. Puerto Rico is a territory, not a state. But all of the people here are American citizens.

Thats right, the airline employee said. Many younger visitors dont know that. Im glad you do.