Lisa Stringfellow

A Comb of Wishes

Sure enough, the sea woman will come for what’s hers.

Ever since her mother’s death, Kela feels every bit as broken as the shards of glass, known as “mermaid’s tears,” that sparkle on the beaches of St. Rita. But when she discovers a different kind of treasure, she accidentally summons an actual mermaid—the wrathful Ophidia.

Ophidia makes Kela a bargain: her ancient comb, in exchange for a wish. And though Kela knows that what she wants most is her mother back, a wish that big will exact a dangerous price…

* * * * *
Set against the backdrop of Caribbean culture and folklore, Lisa Stringfellow’s mesmerizing middle grade debut tells a story of impossible wishes and magic based in the deepest love.

Publisher: HarperCollins/Quill Tree Books
Publication Date: February 8, 2022
ISBN: 9780063043435

"Stringfellow weaves an enchanting tale of loss, longing, and discovery infused with Caribbean folklore. Readers will be captivated by Kela’s story and become invested in her journey...Will tug at readers' heartstrings."
—Kirkus Reviews

"Imbued with a magic that felt as real as the concrete and beloved world in which it is set, this story moves with a plot that is both surefooted and wild, both inexorable and surprising, both cerebral and emotional. I loved it so much."
—Kelly Barnhill, author of the Newbery-winning novel The Girl Who Drank the Moon

"Captivating and creative, magical and moving, this enchanting tale about grief and abiding love will hold you spellbound. What a joy and honor to welcome this brilliant new voice, as beautiful as the ocean and as bright as a mermaid’s tears."
—Padma Venkatraman, author of the Walter Award-winning novel The Bridge Home

Available for order:

BOOKSHOP | INDIEBOUND | AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE

Lisa Stringfellow writes middle grade fiction and has a not-so-secret fondness for fantasy with a dark twist. Her debut fantasy A Comb of Wishes was selected as an ABA Indie Introduce Kids and Indie Next Kids title, a 2022 Horn Book and Today Read With Jenna Jr. summer reading selection, and a 2022 New England Book Award finalist. Her work often reflects her West Indian and Black southern heritage. Lisa is a middle school teacher and lives in Boston, Massachusetts, with her children and two bossy cats.

https://lisastringfellow.com

Tags: Middle Grade, Contemporary, Fantasy, BIPOC