Honestly, if you have a kid in elementary school, you’ve probably seen the glittery covers of the Mermaid Tales book series scattered across a classroom rug or tucked into a library backpack. They’re everywhere. Written by Debbie Dadey—the same mind that brought us the Bailey School Kids—this series has quietly become a staple for the 7-to-10-year-old demographic. But why? It isn't just about the tails and the sparkles.
It’s about Trident Academy.
Imagine a middle school, but underwater. There are lockers, sure, but they’re probably covered in barnacles. There are bullies, best friends, and the soul-crushing anxiety of a math test, just with more sharks and fewer sneakers. Dadey tapped into a very specific brand of "fish out of water" storytelling—literally—that resonates because it mirrors the social chaos of a third-grade classroom.
What is the Mermaid Tales book series actually about?
The series kicks off with Trouble at Trident Academy. We meet Shelly Siren, a girl who is terrified of starting school at the prestigious academy. She has a secret, too. She was raised by humans. Well, land people. This immediately sets the tone for the entire run: these books are about identity and belonging.
The core group is a mix of personalities. You have Shelly, the nervous one. Echo is the artistic rebel with a penchant for bright colors and big ideas. Kiki is the athlete. Pearl is... well, Pearl is the "mean girl" archetype, but even she gets some depth as the series progresses through its 20-plus installments. They live in the city of Triton City, which feels like a bustling metropolis if that metropolis was located on a coral reef.
The Debbie Dadey Factor
Debbie Dadey knows how to write for kids. She doesn't talk down to them. Having co-authored the Bailey School Kids, she understands the rhythm of a chapter book. Short chapters. Cliffhangers. Relatable stakes. In the Mermaid Tales book series, the "villains" aren't usually sea monsters trying to eat the protagonists. Instead, the "villains" are the fear of failing a royal beauty contest or the sting of a best friend keeping a secret.
It’s low-stakes for adults, but high-stakes for an eight-year-old. That is the secret sauce.
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Beyond the Sparkles: Real Themes in the Deep Blue
If you look past the shimmering scales on the covers illustrated by Tatevik Avakyan, these books tackle some surprisingly grounded issues.
Take The Lost Princess, for example. It deals with the concept of heritage and the pressure of expectations. Or Battle of the Best Friends, which explores the jealousy that inevitably crops up when a new person enters a friend group. It’s a roadmap for social-emotional learning, disguised as a story about mer-people.
- Environmentalism: It’s subtle, but it’s there. You can’t have a book series set in the ocean without acknowledging the beauty and fragility of the ecosystem.
- Inclusion: The characters come from different "backgrounds" (or different parts of the ocean), and the series often highlights how their unique traits are strengths, not weaknesses.
- Conflict Resolution: Unlike some older children's fiction where problems are solved by magic, the characters at Trident Academy usually have to talk through their feelings or apologize.
It's refreshing.
Why the Mermaid Tales book series ranks so high with parents and teachers
Teachers love these books because they are "bridge" books. They bridge the gap between easy readers and more complex middle-grade novels like Percy Jackson. The vocabulary is accessible but challenging enough to grow a student's lexicon.
Plus, there's the sheer volume. With over 20 books in the main series, a kid who falls in love with the first one has a long runway of content. That’s a dream for parents trying to encourage a reading habit. You don't have to hunt for the "next thing" every three days.
The order of the books (The big ones)
You don't necessarily have to read them in order, but it helps to see the friendships evolve.
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- Trouble at Trident Academy
- Battle of the Best Friends
- A Whale of a Tale
- Danger in the Deep Blue Sea
- The Lost Princess
The list goes on, covering everything from shipwrecks to royal weddings. The consistency is what keeps kids coming back. You know what you're getting with a Mermaid Tales book. You're getting a lesson, a laugh, and a lot of sea-puns. (Seriously, the puns are relentless. "Fin-tastic" is just the tip of the iceberg.)
Addressing the "Fluff" Criticism
Some critics argue that series like this are just "candy" reading. Light, sugary, and devoid of "real" literary merit.
I disagree.
Every kid needs a gateway. For some, it’s graphic novels. For others, it’s the Mermaid Tales book series. If a child is staying up past their bedtime to find out if Shelly and Echo make up after a fight, that child is developing stamina. They are learning to navigate a plot. They are practicing empathy.
Also, let’s be real. The world is heavy. If a kid wants to escape to a world where the biggest problem is a grumpy sea horse teacher named Mr. Fangtooth, let them.
The Evolution of the Mer-Genre
The "mermaid" trend has been going strong since The Little Mermaid, but it shifted in the 2010s. We moved away from the "silent girl wants a prince" trope and toward "girls having adventures in their own world."
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Dadey’s series was at the forefront of this shift in the chapter book market. It gave young readers a version of the "magic school" trope (popularized by a certain wizard) but made it brighter, more feminine, and more focused on interpersonal dynamics than world-ending wars.
How to get the most out of the series
If you're a librarian or a parent, don't just hand the book over. Use it.
Ask the kid what they would do if they had a tail for a day. Ask them why Pearl is so mean—is she lonely? Is she insecure? The Mermaid Tales book series provides a safe sandbox for these conversations.
You can also lean into the science. While the books are fantasy, they mention real sea creatures. Giant squids, narwhals, dolphins. It’s an easy pivot from a fiction story to a National Geographic kids' book about the actual ocean.
Practical Steps for New Readers
If you're looking to dive into Trident Academy, here is how to start effectively:
- Start with Book 1: Even though they are somewhat episodic, the world-building in the first book sets the stage for everything else.
- Check the Scholastic Book Club: These are frequently featured in the flyers, often in discounted packs of four or five.
- Look for the Audiobooks: They are great for car rides, especially for younger siblings who might not be reading fluently yet but want to follow the story.
- Visit Debbie Dadey’s Website: She often has teacher guides and activities that can turn a simple reading session into a full-on "mer-unit" for homeschooling or classroom use.
The Mermaid Tales book series isn't going anywhere. It has survived the fickle trends of children's publishing because it treats the problems of childhood with the gravity they deserve, all while underwater. It turns the "scary" experience of growing up into an adventure shared with friends, which is exactly what a good book should do.
Grab a copy of Trouble at Trident Academy. See if it clicks. Chances are, you'll be hunting down book twenty-two before the month is over.